The COVID-19 (corona virus illness) is a public health emergency of global concern that has posed a
strong challenge to rescue the psychological, economic and social health of people. The pandemic has
created an adverse disturbance in social lives not only in elders, businessman, employed but also among
students. To tackle such situations, a consolidated research data is required to develop policies to study,
analyze and interpret the impact of this illness on the mental health of students. The aim of the current
study was to better understand and assess the psychological thoughts of the students that includes anxiety
levels, fear, panic, stress, depression during this lockdown period. This research data will also help us to
explore the potential risk factors associated with impact of COVID-19. The results of our study revealed
that 60.1% respondents suffered anxiety and changes in the mood, along with a feeling loneliness
(57.7%), low motivation (68%), mental stress (49.5%), stress about their family health (92.5%). Many
(87.5%) of them believe that lockdown has affected their academic performance and preparation
strategies and it will have a long term affect in their future, if COVID-19 lockdown continues. Further, majority of the respondents (82.2% & 61.9%) believe this lockdown has provided them more time to
review themselves psychologically to work on their future endeavors and moreover 83.6% believed that
this unusual long lockdown has made them more strong and patient to live a stress free life. The
respondents also believe that they feel more connected with their families now and have more time to
rejuvenate themselves. Shockingly, 69.4% respondents agreed that they were afraid of getting COVID-19
tested due to trauma and social stigma associated with it. However, a majority of 93.2% respondents
agreed that they would go for COVID-19 testing if they or any of their family member show symptoms
recommended by WHO. A Majority of 97.2% respondents felt worried about the way Government
tackled this problem initially. The present study strongly suggested the students must keep themselves
busy and engage in various extracurricular activities along with academics to cope with this first time ever
encountered lockdown stress due to novel coronavirus. This study will also help policy makers in
developing subsequent research strategies and mental health counseling for students particularly post
lockdown period.
Keywords: Coronavirus, pandemic, anxiety, stigma, depression, students, lockdown, strategies
Publication date: 01/12/2021
https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2021/December/MS_IJBPAS_2021_DEC_SPCL_2015.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2021/10.12.2015
