Stress among Students in Online Classes during the COVID-19 Outbreak in a Secondary School, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

Background and Objective: The COVID-19 outbreak forced many schools to shift to an online mode of learning. Changing the learning system from face to face to an online learning has caused students to be stressed. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to determine the prevalence and factors associated with stress among students in online classes during the COVID-19 outbreak in a secondary school, Mueang district, Chaiyaphum province.

            Methods: The sample consisted of all high school students who were selected by purposive sampling method. A self-reported questionnaire was utilized for collecting data during the period from January to February 2021. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistic and multiple logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were presented.

            Results: The results showed that there were 1,379 students in the study with a mean age of 14+1.4 years. The prevalence rate of stress was 18.7%. The factors associated with stress were female gender (AOR = 2.09, 95%CI: 1.55-2.81, p < 0.001), divorce or separation of parents (AOR = 1.80, 95%CI: = 1.34-2.41, p < 0.001), high workload on online classes (AOR = 2.26, 95%CI: 1.44-3.55, p < 0.001), difficulty in concentration on online classes (AOR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.09-2.10, p = 0.013), online learning environment is not inherently motivation (AOR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.44-2.68, p < 0.001), lack of interaction/communication with friends during online classes (AOR = 1.57, 95%CI: 1.15-2.15, p = 0.004), and low self-esteem (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.05-1.97, p = 0.021).

            Conclusion: Based on this finding, the prevalence of stress among high school students is not high. However, a school had better prepared simple screening tool and support students to prevent stress before they cause severe mental health problems.