The Impact of Study Mode (Online vs. Hybrid) on Early Symptoms of Depression and Coping Strategies among University Students in Poland in Time of COVID-19 Pandemic-Preliminary Study.

Anna Drelich-Zbroja,Monika Zbroja,Maryla Kuczyńska,Olga Pustelniak,Izabela Dąbrowska,Katarzyna Drelich,Weronika Cyranka,Anna Jamroz-Wiśniewska,Katarzyna Markiewicz

doi:10.3390/brainsci11121578

Abstract

Introduction: mental health has been one of the most important issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic; mental disorders can be exacerbated by isolation during lockdowns or online learning. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between non-clinical (early) symptoms of depressed moods, personality traits, and coping strategies, as well as whether the learning mode (online versus hybrid) differentiates the experiences of these early symptoms and coping strategies. Methods: 114 university students aged 19 to 34, whose education model was changed from stationary to hybrid or online due to COVID-19 restrictions, participated in the study. The participants completed the online questionnaire, which consisted of two sections: (1) demographic questions to characterize the subjects and 44 questions based on the literature review. (2) Mini-COPE Inventory. Results: the study showed that the fully online study mode has a negative impact on the mental health of students; hybrid students are more likely to use active and positive coping strategies, which effectively help to control negative thoughts and/or reduce negative mental states. Conclusions: the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological effects that will extend to coming years; therefore, implementing systemic psychological care is of utmost importance.

Highlights

In December 2019, when the media reported on a series of respiratory infections emerging from Wuhan, China, no one expected it would lead to a global pandemic [1].A “pandemic” itself is nothing new
The previous pandemics occurred at times when mental health did not receive as much The previous pandemics occurred times when mental health not receive as 20th attention
Paul Harrison, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, said, “People fear that people who have survived COVID-19 will be more likely to have mental health problems, and our findings show that this is likely”

Summary

Introduction

In December 2019, when the media reported on a series of respiratory infections emerging from Wuhan, China, no one expected it would lead to a global pandemic [1].A “pandemic” itself is nothing new. In December 2019, when the media reported on a series of respiratory infections emerging from Wuhan, China, no one expected it would lead to a global pandemic [1]. Humanity experienced the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918–1919, cholera in the 19th century, the plague in the 14th century, and the Antonine Plague around 500 BC [2]. These diseases decimated populations throughout the world and forced millions of people to modify the way they lives. COVID-19, an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has affected more than 243 million people, leading to almost 5 million worldwide deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The COVID-19 disease has led to the deaths of 76,540 Poles (

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