Abstract
This study aimed to clarify the adaptation features of University students exposed to fully online education during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to identify accompanying mental health problems and predictors of school adaptation. The pandemic has forced many universities to transition rapidly to delivering online education. However, little is known about the impact of this drastic change on students' school adaptation. This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire, including assessments of impressions of online education, study engagement, mental health, and lifestyle habits. In total, 1,259 students were assessed. The characteristics of school adaptation were analyzed by a two-step cluster analysis. The proportion of mental health problems was compared among different groups based on a cluster analysis. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of cluster membership. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The two-step cluster analysis determined three clusters: school adaptation group, school maladaptation group, and school over-adaptation group. The last group significantly exhibited the most mental health problems. Membership of this group was significantly associated with being female (OR = 1.42; 95% CI 1.06–1.91), being older (OR = 1.21; 95% CI 1.01–1.44), those who considered online education to be less beneficial (OR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.64–2.88), shorter sleep time on weekdays (OR = 0.826; 95% CI 0.683–.998), longer sleep time on holidays (OR = 1.21; 95% CI 1.03–1.43), and worse restorative sleep (OR = 2.27; 95% CI 1.81–2.86). The results suggest that academic staff should understand distinctive features of school adaptation owing to the rapid transition of the educational system and should develop support systems to improve students' mental health. They should consider ways to incorporate online classes with their lectures to improve students' perceived benefits of online education. Additionally, educational guidance on lifestyle, such as sleep hygiene, may be necessary.
Highlights
With the onset of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic, in 2020 [1], several countries adopted emergency measures, such as quarantines, restrictions on movement, and urban lockdowns to prevent the spread of infection
This study clarified characteristics of school adaptation in University students exposed to the drastic transition in the educational system from traditional face-to-face classes to fully online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, while exploring the accompanying mental health problems and factors associated with school adaptation
After the participants were statistically classified into three groups based on study engagement and stress in the two-step cluster analysis, the school over-adaptation group was found to have the most mental health problems among the three groups
Summary
With the onset of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic, in 2020 [1], several countries adopted emergency measures, such as quarantines, restrictions on movement, and urban lockdowns to prevent the spread of infection. In Japan, a state of emergency was declared on April 7, 2020, requesting people to refrain from leaving their homes. Most universities have rapidly transitioned their educational programs from traditional faceto-face teaching to online delivery modes [3,4,5]. The majority of University students in Japan were suddenly exposed to a fully online education system. Changes in the educational system with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic provided the first opportunity to examine the effect of applying a fully online education system for a long period on many University students
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