IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN INDIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL ELECTRONIC SURVEY

Abstract

Background: The COVID -19 pandemic has resulted in an increased level of stress among university students particularly due to online education, lockdown, stay-at-home orders. This exerted an extensive impact on social, psychological, emotional and mental health among students. Objective: In this survey, we analysed the social behaviour, psychological reactions, mental and emotional implications on the students due to the covid-19 pandemic. Methods: An online survey was conducted among students studying in different universities & diverse elds in India, using a series of questionnaires to understand the effects of the pandemic on their mental health and well-being. The data were analysed through quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: During our online survey, we analyzed 800 participants (400 males and 400 females) who completed the questionnaire. While analysing for perceived social stress, we observed females to be more affected than males whereas, for psychological and mental stress, the majority of the participants were affected to some extent. The mean global stress score was 14.96±5.09 for females and 11.16±4.60 for males which showed a signicant difference between the two groups (p value=0.009). 72.9% of the total participants felt that their mental well being has deteriorated by the imposition of lockdown and being in quarantine has made 36.7% people burdened with stress to a whole lot of extent. 31.4% of the total responders experienced agitation, anger and irritability being at home during quarantine and only 10.6% were unaffected by it. Majority of the participants suffered from symptoms of anxiety or depression in this 2 year period. Conclusion: The survey concludes with its observation of mental and psychosocial implications in form of anxiety, disturbed sleep pattern, economic burden and future academic plan etc on university students in the span of the COVID -19 pandemic. Institutions must address these effects and consider implementing some student wellness programme which is supported by mental health experts in order to mitigate related consequences.