IMPACT of distance learning on student mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic

Education is one of the industries significantly affected by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic. Whole countries and cities were isolated, public and private institutions ceased their activities, and the country's higher educational institutions were forced to stop full-time education and switch to distance learning. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the indicators of the mental state (depression, anxiety) of students during full-time and distance learning. The first study was carried out by us during the full-time study period (February 10-17, 2020, sample size n = 154), and the second study was conducted during the distance learning period (October 19-26, 2020, sample size n = 154). The study evaluated such indicators as satisfaction with academic performance, the severity of depressive symptoms and anxiety. The results obtained indicate that the prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety among students was significantly higher during the distance learning period compared to similar indicators obtained during the full-time study period. The results of this study indicate that a sudden shift from one learning regime to another was a causative factor in stressful stress, which led to a high prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety among undergraduate students. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2021.