COVID-19 and Mental Health: A Study of its Impact on Students in Maharashtra, India

Abstract

AbstractThis study identifies and analyzes the personal, social and psychological impact of COVID - 19 on the mental health of students of age group 16 to 25. A response from N= 351 students provided a comparative analysis based on the gender, and background via t-test with significance factor of p ≤ 0.5, to understand the pandemic’s impact. The results show that female students are more concerned about health, and future, and are more prone to psychological issues like feelings of uncertainty, helplessness and outbursts than male students. Urban student’s population is more mentally affected than their rural counterparts. An increase is seen in need for solitude, being withdrawn and self-harm in male students. A shift in perception from seeing family as a source of support to that of a restriction is indicated, although the benefits of a collectivistic society are undisputed.Impact StatementThis study performs an analysis of the student’s response to questions based on social and self-perception as a result of COVID-19. It also discusses the nature of adaptive strategies espoused by them and their effectiveness in dealing with the pandemic, isolation, and the new normal.