BURDEN AND DISTRESS OF COLLEGIATE STUDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CRISIS LOCKDOWN

Abstract

This paper looked upon the 277 collegiate students burden and distress in Zambales, Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown through the COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Health Questionnaire (CoPaQ). The respondent’s reported distress during lockdown resulted to avoidance of the external reminders on the experiences of the covid-19 pandemic (e.g. People, places, conversations, objects, activities, or situations) (WM=2.73; SD= .821) and sleep problems (WM=2.71; SD=1.020). Added to this, the majority strongly agreed that they were burdened and had fears of what the future will bring, or that they won't be able to cope with everything (WM=3.19; SD= .863) and also had burdens regarding their concerns for the integrity of family members or friends (WM=3.18; SD=.814). Ultimately, the result expresses that the COVID-19 pandemic crisis lockdown caused burden and distress among the collegiate student of Zambales, Philippines. The distress was identified as external reminders on the experiences of the covid-19 pandemic (e.g. People, places, conversations, objects, activities, or situations), sleep and rest; whereas the identified burdens were fears about the future and integrity for family members or friends. This study recommends that results be made aware to all collegiate student so as to let them know the types of distress and burdens that were commonly reported during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Educational institutions may implement programs that promotes calmness and activities for managing anxiety and fear among collegiate students. The study recommends also for further studies since this maybe an eye-opener to implement specific counselling services and programs that are tailor-fitted to the needs of collegiate students within the Philippines. It may further assess the impact of the pandemic crisis lockdown to the mental health of students by using the identified types of distress and burdens as the impact constructs.