Psychological Stress of Covid-19 on Young Learners of Professional Courses

Abstract

COVID-19 has blocked the world since March 2020, which has increased tension and anxiety among learners. The World Health Organization warned that the pandemic, social isolation, and disinformation could raise stress and anxiety. The present study aims to study the psychological stress of COVID-19 on young learners with respect to gender, locality, type of family, profession and year of study. 430 respondents from different parts of Tamil Nadu responded to a questionnaire based on five dimensions (Mental Stress, Health Stress, Academic Stress, Financial Stress and Social Stress). The results reveal that there is no statistically significant variation in the psychological stress of COVID-19 by gender, locality, type of family and profession among young learners. Female responders have endured tension, assault, and abuse due to the lockdown. Rural respondents felt more alone than their urban peers; young learners experienced the same level of psychological stress regardless of their family types. For future Covid-like scenarios, ideas like mental health, yoga and meditation, dance and music and concepts like ’Vasudhaiva Kutumbaam’, and ’Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavantu’ must be incorporated into school education with the line of NEP 2020.