ISSN 2348-313X (Print) International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 9, Issue 4, pp: (7-13), Month: October - December 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Symptoms and Prevalence of Depression and Stress of High School Students in Bangkok Apitta Euasobhon Satriwithaya School
Abstract: Purpose: To study the prevalence and associated factors of depression and stress in grade 10-12 students in Bangkok during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: In this quantitative research, the data was collected from 398 students among 1,420 students in grades 10-12 at Satriwithaya School in Bangkok from 9 August to 14 August 2021. The data were collected via Google Forms by using the depression questionnaire (9Q) and stress questionnaire (ST5). The data were analyzed for the prevalence and associated factors by using descriptive statistics and IBM SPSS. Findings: The prevalence of depression in grade 10-12 students were at 89.7% where significant associated factors were workload and responsibilities; relationship with family and friends; susceptibility to mental illness; having friends with mental illness, and financial impact from COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of stress in grade 1012 students was at 53.52% of which significant associated factors were workload and responsibilities; relationship with family and friends; and financial impact from COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Students in grade 10-12 reported symptoms of depression at 89.7% (n=357) ranging from severe; moderate; and mild levels at 26.13% (n=104), 35.18% (n=140), 28.39% (n=113) respectively. The level of stress was mainly reported as very severe; severe; moderate; and mild at 53.2% (n=213); 20.85% (n=83); 16.33% (n=65); and 39.3% (n=37) respectively. Associated factors for both symptoms were workload and responsibilities; relationship with family and friends; and financial impact from COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, significant associated factors for depression were mental illness and having friends with mental illness. However, if the findings were to be applied in a different context, online storage restrictions should be taken into account. Keywords: Depression, stress, COVID-19.
1. INTRODUCTION Background and importance of the issue COVID-19 disease was first discovered to be humanly transmissible in the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province, China in December 2019. Since then, it spread worldwide until on 11 March 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 diseases to be a pandemic. (1) COVID-19 spreads between people through contact with aerosol from those infected where incubation time can take around 1-14 days. Symptoms vary from losing the sense of smell and taste; fever; dry cough; vomiting; and red eyes. (2) Later on different variants of COVID-19 were discovered from assorted countries with varying degrees of symptoms. (3) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic gravely affects the mentality and causes a tremendous amount of anxiety and stress for the world population. (4) This is likely due to fear of contracting COVID-19 and measures namely lockdown imposed by the government. Moreover, the associated disruption of lifestyle and daily routine; economic downturn; suspension of businesses by the government; intake of the news; and online learning all impact the mental states of the public worldwide.
Page | 7 Research Publish Journals