Exploring the Psycho-Social Effects of COVID -19 on School Children: The Case of Miskaye Hizunan Medahinialem Monastery School, Addis Ababa
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Date
2022-06-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the psycho-social effects of COVID-19 on school children. Cross-sectional mixed research approach was used to explore the problem being studied. Primary data were collected through questionnaire, in-depth interviews, key-informant interviews and observation. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a total of 9 key informant interviewees and 6 in-depth interviewees to collect qualitative data. Simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 261 study participants to collect quantitative data using questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative procedures. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Independent samples t-test was used to compare the gender and educational differences of depression, anxiety and stress. Qualitative data collected from KIIs and in-depth interviews were analyzed thematically. The findings of the study show that the majority of school children had enough information about the pandemic. The main source of information about COVID-19 in the early stage was social media, family/friends, and television. Similarly, the result of the study demonstrated that school children were negatively affected by COVID-19 and they have experienced mild to extremely severe depression, anxiety and stress. School children had lost their social relationship and integration with their friends, classmates, teachers and relatives. To cope up with the psycho-social effects of the pandemic, school children had engaged in various activities such as playing games, reading books, focusing on social media and reducing the amount of information received from different media platforms. In general, the findings of the study show that the participants of this research believe that COVID-19 has affected their psychological and social life. The implications of this study are stated in regards to research, social work practice and social work education.
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Anxiety, Depression, COVID-19, psycho-Social Effect, School Children, Stress,