CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Mental Health Effects of Online Learning Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , schools . And

colleges all over the U.S and all over the world transitioned into online classes . The health and safety

of everyone is the utmost priority during the pandemic , and online schooling is the only best option

during these times .

At first , it was comfortable and convenient . For parents , no more driving to schools , no

more preparing of snacks , some kids even attend school in their pajamas . However , in the long run ,

students , parents , even professors , and teachers have realized the challenges of online classes ,

especially on one’s Mental Health .

In this article , we explain how Distance Learning environments can impact the mental health

of the students and parents . Also , students and parents can learn tips on how to cope with the

challenges of online learning.

How Do Distance Learning Impact the Mental Health?

Online classes affect the mental health of students , parents , and even teachers . For

individuals who have existing mental health problems , it may worsen .Imagine how is it like for a kid

to spend hours everyday in front of Zoom without social interaction and playtime with their friends .

Parents are now acting like teachers are more involved in their children’s schoolwork . Teachers and

Professors have increased workloads and are pressured to deliver quality learning without face-to-face

classes .
 Virtual Learning can cause fatigue , there is newly coined term during the COVID era , called

“Zoom Fatigue”. The term Zoom Fatigue refers to feelings of exhaustion after long Zoom classes or

video conference calls . It may not be formal diagnosis , but Zoom fatigue does exist especially in

virtual learning . During an online class , there’s information overload plus facing the screen for

prolonged periods is mentally draining .

It’s more challenging for students to learn new information , and even though they just sit in front

of the computer , they feel like they are physically tired . Virtual Learning fatigue is real , and it may

lead to anxiety and stress and professors .

Lack of interaction and Social isolation schools do not only teach new learning from books \, it

is where friendship starts and fun memories created . Communication and social skills are best learned

with social interactions . Kids , teens , even teachers need to connect with their friends and socialize .

But since the COVID pandemic , there’s a lack of interaction and students face social isolation.

This greatly impacts students mental health . The lack of social interaction in online learning leads to

feelings of loneliness , lack of motivation , and isolation.

Even adults fell the empty void when they don’t get to see their friends , right?Young adults need

social interaction in their formative years . Kids needs play dates with the kids their age to learn how

to socialize . Professors need interaction with their colleagues too . No one wants to feel alone and

isolated . This is one of the main reasons why online learning can affect mental health

Increased Anxiety and Stress

In the traditional classroom setup , students follow a routine schedule during school days. When

it’s time to wake up , time to get to school , time for class , time to do homework , lunchtime to interact

with friends and attend extra-curricular activities . It’s never the same with online learning.
 Staying focused on online classes is a challenge . Separating home life and class time , not

following a routine schedule , the distractions at home , caused students not to able to concentrate well

with their classes . As a result , students tend to procrastinate and set things aside , them deadline are

missed . This causes pressure , stress , and anxiety to both students and their parents .

One of the industries significantly affected by the new corona virus infection (COVID-19)

pandemic is education [3] . Whole countries and cities were isolated , public and private . Institutions

ceased their activities , and higher education institutions were forced to stop full time education . Some

universities had to extend their holidays or end the semester ahead of schedule in order to take

measures to prevent infection , postpone the return of students to campus and buy time to decide on the

possibility of continuing the quality educational process . Faced with the risk of missing an entire

semester or even more , an academic year , universities were forced to integrate distance learning

elements into their educational programs to ensure the continuous educational process of students .[4]

Over the past 20 years , many experiments have been carried out regarding the application

of online learning in higher education institutions , where various courses and even complete

undergraduate programs have been provided through online platforms .However , students studying

full-time before this and not familiar with this training format faced many difficulties [5]. The forced

transition to a distance learning format has become a new challenge for students . Given the fact in

“Normal Conditions” (in full-time mode of study) are sometimes prone to the development of mental

disorders,in a pandemic accompanied by social distancing,increased media to this problem and lack of

information about the new corona virus infection,only aggravated the situation [6,7,8].
 Majumdar and other authorote stress cause by the pandemic has led to more frequent

manifestation among students of symptoms such as headache,insomnia ,digestive problems,hormonal

imbalance frustration , fatigue,etc.[9].

Also , student showed a decrease in cognitive engagement,attention , concentration and

motivation to attend classes and study in general [10,11].This information is confirmed by the work of

Ahmad S.H. and other authors ,which examined the psychosomatic impact of digital tools used in the

context of the new corona virus pandemic on the well-being of students.

As a result of the result of the analysis it was revealed that more than 55% of respondents during

the COVID-19 pandemic had changes in their usual sleep patterns, and more than 80% of students said

that prolonged use of digital tools (mobile phone, laptop, iPad) for learning influenced their sleep

patterns , and more than 85% of respondents agreed with the statement that prolonged use of e-learning

tools often leads to nervousness and tension.

As a result, more than 72% of students stated that they do not recommend continuing to use the

distance learning model, since it is harmful to health in social and psychological terms[12].

Summarizing all of tjhe above, it can be noted that now the entire world community is observing only

the primary short-term consequences associated with the pandemic of a new corona virus infection,

however, the long-term consequences have yet to be clarified [13], the purpose of this study is to

compare the indicators of the mental state( depression, anxiety) of medical students all-time

and distance learning.

This study aims to evaluate and to determine the impact of distance learning on mental health

of the students of the Catagtaguen National High School.

More specifically it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents?

a. Age

b. Gender

c. Location

2. What is the impact of distance of learning on the mental health of students?

3. How does students daily life affected their mental health with a new mode of learning?

OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

Research statement :“Impact of Distance Learning on Mental Health of the Students of the

Catagtaguen National High School”

General objective : Know the effect of Distance Learning on Mental Health of Students.

Specific objective:

*To find out the effect of distance learning on the Mental Health of Students

in Catagtaguen National High School .

*To raise awareness about Mental Health Continuum

*To promote help seeking behaviors and emotional well-being practices.

This study concerned the mental health status Catagtaguen National High School students

during distance learning.

Mental health issues are becoming more prevalent in the community or world, affecting

people of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and abilities. Especially now, we are facing a problem or

challenges in our lives.

Students: This study is significant to them as they can share their experiences. The study will

contain important information on a student’s mental health, which will be of great assistance to the

respondents in knowing themselves

Parents: The study will help parents in coping with their children’s mental health concerns,

which are difficult to understand.

To the School: The study can help the school and guidance counselors in determining what the

student’s main problem is and to avoid anty negative consequences that may impair the well-being of

the children under their supervision.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS OF STUDY

This study will only focus on determining the mental health status of Catagtaguen National High

School students during the distance learning. The proponents considered a small percentage of Junior

High School and Senior High School students as respondents. This will be done through an Survey-

Questionnaire.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK