Comparative assessment of the quality of life, sleep, and psycho-emotional stress in students in distance and blended learning

Abstract

Quality of life, emotional state, and sleep are closely related to the process of education and successful mastering of disciplines within the framework of the main curriculum in a higher educational institution. Student academic performance, working capacity, and health depend on the quality of the parameters listed above. Since March 2020, the world has been facing the SARSCoV-2 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed significantly the socio-economic and political situation in countries and affected the way of life of the whole world. Changes have taken place in the educational process as well; the integration of distance learning technologies and the global digitalization of the learning process have affected all countries. Purpose of the study. To compare the quality of life, sleep, and psychological health in students enrolled in higher nursing education programs during periods of distance and blended education. Materials and methods. The study was conducted from September to May of the 2021–2022 academic year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students had distance and blended forms of education. The study involved 1st and 2nd year students enrolled in higher nursing education programs at the Department of Nursing Management, Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. The study used the following questionnaires: Medical Outcomes Study 36‑Item Short Form Survey, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS), Pittsburgh questionnaire on determination of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results. Due to the transition and adaptation of students to distance learning at the university during the period of social isolation, violation of the generally accepted schedule of classes and physical activity, physical inactivity, a large load on the musculoskeletal system and vision, as well as digital load, students began to notice a decrease in the psycho-emotional state, mild depression, apathy, decreased motivation to learn, increased mental fatigue, cognitive disorders, disturbed night sleep and insomnia. According to the results of the study, the quality of life, physical and mental health, psycho-emotional well-being, general mood, sleep quality and its characteristics are significantly better among students with a blended form of education compared to distance learning