Photo Credit: Veywell Mind
ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (Online): ISIShaPinterstA new study found that remote schooling has some surprising mental health benefits for young teens such as less anxiety, a greater feeling of well-being, and more connection to their schools.
- A new study of over 1,000 students found that many young teens are feeling less anxiety, not more, during remote learning due to the pandemic.
- The study found that 54 percent of 13- to 14-year-old girls were at risk of anxiety prior to the pandemic, but that figure dropped by 10 percent during lockdown.
- That figure dropped from 26 percent to 18 percent for boys in the same age group as well.
- Many students also reported feeling a greater connection to their schools with increased opportunities to talk with their teachers.
A group of researchers in South West England suspected that young teens who were remote schooling due to the COVID-19 pandemic might be feeling more anxiety.
They reasoned that many teens would be feeling worried about friends and family becoming ill. Also, they would have less social support due to being isolated at home.
When they conducted a survey, however, what they found was surprising to them: the students were actually experiencing less anxiety.
In addition, they were experiencing other benefits, such as a greater feeling of well-being and more connection to their schools.
The team found that 54 percent of 13- to 14-year-old girls were at risk of anxiety prior to the pandemic, with that figure dropping by 10 percent during lockdown.
Twenty-six percent of boys in the same age group were at risk during the initial survey, compared to 18 percent during lockdown.
Depression levels remained fairly consistent, however, with girls experiencing a 3 percent increase in the number at risk and boys experiencing a 2 percent drop.
Many of the teens reported an increased sense of well-being while they were in lockdown. Boys reported a bigger improvement than girls. Also, those who reported the lowest sense of well-being prior to the pandemic experienced the greatest improvement.
Many students also reported feeling a greater connection to their schools with increased opportunities to talk with their teachers.
Among girls, increased feelings of well-being and reduced anxiety appeared to be linked to increased social media usage.
Emily Widnall, MSc, who was the lead author of the study, said that she and her team were surprised when they saw the results of the survey.
She said that her team plans to do further research to address why the school environment contributes to anxiety and how school culture can be more supportive of teen mental health.
She added that it is “key that we keep a close eye on young people’s mental health and well-being on return to school as we may well see a spike in anxiety, particularly for those who felt less connected to school pre-pandemic and therefore are likely to have adapted well to lockdown.”
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