Covid 19 and the Psychosocial Adjustment of Secondary School Students
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The broad objective of the study is to examine Covid 19 and the Psychosocial Adjustment Of Secondary School Students. Specifically the study seek to:
- Investigate the extent to which covid-19 affected the social interaction of secondary school students.
- Investigate the extent to which covid-19 affected learning environment.
- Investigate the extent to which covid-19 affected the mental well-being of secondary school students.
- Identify the extent to which covid-19 triggered anxiety in secondary school students.
- Investigate the different mechanism adopted by the school to enable students adjust during the pandemic.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Precisely, the chapter will be considered in three sub-headings:
- Conceptual Framework
- Theoretical Framework
- Empirical Review
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Concept of Coronavirus
A huge collection of viruses that resemble a crown is the Corona virus. Corona is a Latin word that means crown (UNESCO, 2020). There are several varieties of corona viruses, and the human corona viruses 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1 are the most prevalent in the globe. The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and new Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) are all corona viruses that cause severe respiratory diseases. The 2019 new corona virus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19, was initially isolated in pneumonia patients in Wuhan, China. These were connected to the seafood and live animal markets. In China, there were 51986 confirmed cases in a single province (Hubei) as of February 14, 2020, with 1318 deaths (Tellier, 2020).
The Breakout Of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
In December 2019, a doctor named Li Wenliang warned his colleagues about a possible outbreak of an illness in the Chinese city of Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province, and spread globally, resulting in the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic. The illness resembled severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), later recognized as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The COVID-19 virus which belongs to a family of coronavirus is caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2)1 with various symptoms such as pneumonia, fever, breathing difficulty and lung infection. The World health organization announced the official name of this virus as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and declared it a pandemic. Following the confirmation of the outbreak, the world health organization associated the outbreak of this pandemic disease to the Huainan South China seafood market place, although there is no specification as to the type of animal it is to be associated with . The WHO boss chief Tedros Ghebereyesus said despite its robust health system, China was concerned about the outbreak and found it difficult to detect and control its spread at the time and showed concern over it spreading to other countries with weak system(WHO 2020). Ghebereyesus concern became reality as many countries around the world began to record cases of the virus. Also, as time went by, it was discovered that there is human to human transmission through close contact (WMHC 2020). Within one month of the outbreak of this virus, it spread across the Wuhan city and beyond considering the New Year period and the high level of mobility of the Chinese people as at that time. As at 31st January 2020, about 11791 cases were confirmed and 17,988 cases were suspected in 34 provinces. The spread of COVID-19 to other countries was rapid and fast this is unavoidable because the world is interconnected and there was no restriction of movement to ensure less human to human contact.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience, viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed a survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study, whereby the opinions and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As they are often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS , INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study was to examine covid-19 and the Psychosocial Adjustment Of Secondary School Students using selected secondary schools in Port-Harcourt in River State as case study. This chapter is concerned with the presentation, analysis, and interpretation of data gathered through the use of questionnaire distributed to the respondents.
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter summarizes the findings of the examination of Covid-19 and the psychosocial adjustment of secondary school students using selected secondary schools in Port-Harcourt in River State as case study. The chapter consists of discussion of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
The findings of this study revealed the extent covid-19 affected the social interaction of secondary school students in table 4.3. The findings revealed that students were not able to see their peers, students avoided having close contact with another, students were not able to relate freely, students were not able to engage in social activities, students were not able to exchange pleasantries through hugs and students were not also able to exchange pleasantries through handshakes
Additionally, the findings disclosed the extent covid-19 affected learning environment in table 4.4. hence it was revealed that; there was rush in meeting-up with school calender, extra curriculum activities were restricted, students and teachers isolated each other, the constant use of face-mask affected effective communication between students and teachers, and the teaching and learning sections were no more interactive.
RECOMMENDATION
With respect to the findings and the aim of this study, the researchers therefore recommend that;
- The outbreak of the virus and lockdowns at the national level could be used as a best test for the education technology interventions for distance learning in Nigeria. Unfortunately, few systems arrived at this point fully prepared. Hence, concerned and relevant authorities should continue to invest in online education to enhance learning experience. They should carefully analyze and solve the issues experienced during sudden transition to online learning and prepare for any future situations. Proper training of educators for the digital skills and improved student-teacher interaction must be conducted. For disadvantaged students, availability of digital infrastructure with proper internet availability and access to gadgets must be ensured to avoid any disruption to their study.
- Due to Covid-19, many students suffered from stress, anxiety, and depression, so it is necessary to provide emotional support to students.
- Moreover, guidelines should be created to anticipate the needs of the vulnerable student population. Improved healthcare management would ensure the delivery of mental health support.
- Enhancing preparedness while keeping schools open is also required. This involves enforcing and supporting preventive actions in school, establishing protocols for schools’ handling of illnesses and potential cases, using the education system’s infrastructure and human resources to address the spread of infections in communities, and limiting physical contact by reducing social and extra-curricular activities.
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