Psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic: Anxiety among high school students in Rafsanjan, 2021

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic, which was first identified in Wuhan, China, has significantly exacerbated psychological problems, particularly anxiety. This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety levels among high school students in Rafsanjan, Iran, in 2021.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on 563 high school students. The Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) questionnaire was used to collect data. To distribute the questionnaires, researchers visited schools and provided hard copies to selected students. Additionally, some participants completed the questionnaire via a link sent through email, Telegram, or WhatsApp. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson/Spearman correlation tests, and multivariate linear regression model.

Results

Among the 563 high school students (83.5 % were girls, mean age = 17 years), 17.4 % had a history of COVID-19 infection. Additionally, 23.8 % reported infection or death among family members, 32.3 % among first-degree relatives, and 35.9 % among friends or classmates. Male students and older age groups exhibited significantly higher anxiety levels (p < 0.05). Personal experiences with COVID-19 were significantly associated with increased Total anxiety score (p < 0.05), while physical symptoms had minimal effect. These findings highlight the substantial psychological burden of the pandemic on students.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions that take into account factors such as age, gender, and personal experiences with COVID-19. These findings are essential for developing effective strategies to reduce the psychological impact of the pandemic on students.