Abstract
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced around the world, new student lifestyles have had an impact on their daily behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine post-traumatic stress associated with the initial COVID-19 crisis in students (N = 280) with a mean age of 13 ± 1.70 and to determine the relationship between their reported daily behaviors in terms of their gender. The study was conducted primarily in Casablanca and Marrakech, the two cities most affected by the pandemic at the time of the study in Morocco in May 2020. Our sample consists of 133 high school students and 147 middle school students, 83.6% of whom are females. Students were asked to answer questions based on an Activity Biorhythm Questionnaire, the Post-Traumatic Stress Scale (Weathers et al., 1993), the Hamilton Scale (Hamilton, 1960), the Worry Domains Questionnaire (Tallis, Eyzenck, Mathews, 1992), and the Visual Analog Scale of Moods (VASM) (Stern et al., 1997). The results obtained confirm that there is a significant relationship between the circadian rhythm of some variables and gender in some activities such as academic study (p < 0.05) and TV and Internet use (p < 0.05) and was highly significant for physical activity (p = 0.001), while others are not significant in relation to other schedules of the same variables or in relation to others. Likewise, for the psychological conditions, significant relationships with mood states and depressive tendencies were confirmed. In lockdown, the students’ daily lives underwent changes in circadian rhythm and lifestyle. Therefore, it is necessary to treat their current psychological problems and avoid future complications.
Highlights
In the face of the alarming threats of coronavirus, researchers have addressed its effects on the mental health of populations around the world
Based on what was previously cited, this study aims to highlight the impact of circadian rhythms on daily activities and the psychological state of students related to their confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their gender, assuming that gender affects the psychological conditions and circadian rhythmicity of the students
All circadian parameters were questioned, from sleep, physical activity, eating rhythm and many other variables whose imbalance has damaged the mental health of our sample and increased their post-traumatic stress
Summary
In the face of the alarming threats of coronavirus, researchers have addressed its effects on the mental health of populations around the world. Symptoms of mental health disorders are mainly felt by all individuals who are affected by the virus or who are confined by preventive measures, in the most affected countries. In Morocco, preventive measures of lockdown were officially declared from March 16 and were extended twice until June 10, exceeding a total of 70 days. During this period, the pace of life of Moroccans changed regarding their circadian activities, especially for children who previously had a rhythm of life framed by school. Studies have shown that this period of isolation is likely to be difficult for children and adolescents and may have a negative impact on their ability to successfully regulate their behavior and emotions [1]. School closures had a significant impact on their academic results [3]
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