Life Experience and Resources for Overcoming the Difficulties of Social Isolation in the First Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Students

Abstract

Objective. Analysis of the resources for overcoming difficulties by students in connection with the new life experience in the first weeks of self-isolation and distance learning in the context of the CO¬VID-19 pandemic. Background. The study is focused on identifying the current psychological state, the characteristics of the perception of the world, as well as the strategies and resources of the individual to overcome negative aspects in connection with changes in everyday life. Study design. The study was built in the format of a socio-psychological survey to study the lifestyle and psychological state of students in self-isolation. Research was conducted in the middle of April 2020. Participants. 56 people, residents of Russia (8% of men, 92% of women) from 20-23 years old university students of the 2nd (77%) and 5th (23%) courses of psychological specialties (Σav=21.12, Me=21, SD=1.37). Measurements. The research is based on quantitative and qualitative methodology. We used the method of content analysis for written discourses about the lifestyle in connection with self-isolation and the SAN method, which allows one to draw conclusions about the degree of psycho-emotional state. Results. Lifestyle changes were recorded by 93% of respondents. The most transformed spheres are activity (educational) and social. The spatio-temporal characteristics of life are of great importance. Assessments of negative and positive changes show parity. Minor manifestations of anxiety and negative emotional states were revealed. The average and medium-high level of psychoemotional state was recorded. Conclusions. Resources for overcoming difficulties are represented by strategies: 1) “I”: comprehension, self-organization, maintaining physical fitness, self-development; 2) “Others”: help, emotional support for loved ones and strangers; 3) “Living space”: working with the space of the house for arrangement under his “I”, expanding its multifunctionality, maintaining cleanliness.