Abstract
We conducted a longitudinal study to clarify the changes in the sense of coherence (SOC); that is, the ability to cope with stress successfully, of 166 Japanese junior high school students and their mothers before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we analyzed changes in SOC at three time points for all students and divided them into two groups: Group 1 included students with SOC scores that increased or maintained before and after the onset of the pandemic and Group 2 included students with decreased SOC scores after the onset of the pandemic. Second, we conducted a comparative analysis between the two groups. Overall, results indicated that student's SOC scores increased. Additionally, interpersonal stress scores were lower after the onset of the pandemic than before. There were almost no differences in family relationships, financial conditions, or personality tendencies between the two groups. However, Group 2 did not regain their sense of belonging to school. In this group, the frequency of stress experiences in club activities after the onset of the pandemic, troubles with the opposite gender, and inability to catch up with the contents of the subject lecture were high. The accumulation of small stressors may have hindered the maintenance of a sense of school affiliation. Mothers of students in Group 2 either were full-time employees at baseline or had started a new job after the onset of the pandemic. Their children may have been affected by the household's damaged financial budget and changes in mother's working styles. As COVID-19 reduced the number of days students went to school, students' SOC could have reduced had they not felt a sense of presence or belonging due to the lack of participation in club activities, school events, etc. Teachers and mothers should communicate carefully with their students and children, respectively, to develop a sense of belonging.
Highlights
The Cabinet Secretariat of Japan (1) issued a state of emergency due on 7 April 2020 to COVID-19(Secretariat, 2020), limiting the daily activities of all citizens to develop self-restraint
Omiya et al (10) examined the factors related to the sense of coherence (SOC) of high school students, and the results showed that school sense of belonging, student and teacher acceptance, good family relationships, and mother’s SOC were positive factors for high school SOC
A comparison of these two groups indicated that Group 2 had higher SOC scores at baseline (p = 0.002), but reversed scores in the second and third surveys, indicating a wide difference (Table 3)
Summary
The Cabinet Secretariat of Japan (1) issued a state of emergency due on 7 April 2020 to COVID-19(Secretariat, 2020), limiting the daily activities of all citizens to develop self-restraint. This included drastic changes to daily life, such as restricting unnecessary activities and allowing going out only for urgent activities, remaining homebound as much as possible, and wearing a mask and washing hands, to which people experienced confusion. For about 3 months, students were unable to attend school This was the first time in Japan that all schools were suddenly closed for a long time, and confusion and anguish were reported in the media every day. This unprecedented event of closing the schools may have brought about serious changes among students, but it is unclear what changes occurred
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