The psychological stress of returning to in-person institution-based educational activities by students in college and universities following the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 necessitated a change in the educational delivery system during and following the pandemic. AIM: This study explored the psychological stress of the students about returning to in-person (face-to-face) education and examination following the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated factors. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional survey of college and university students returning to usual in-person education following COVID-19, conducted in Odisha from May to June 2022, through an online questionnaire. Students’ psychological stress, level of comfort, and future preferences were assessed, along with their COVID-19 history of self and family. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 304 students. A considerable proportion (37.5%) of them felt stressed about the return to the in-person education system following COVID-19. A history of COVID infection of self or a family member was significantly associated with stress, but not with taking COVID vaccines or medications for any current illness. Students reporting stress were significantly uncomfortable reverting to the usual in-person class or examination system, and a significantly higher proportion of them preferred online and hybrid (a mixture of online and in-person) methods. Major themes regarding stress were the continuing fear of COVID-19 infection, appearing examinations in-person after a gap of 2 years, and readjusting to the changes; however, some students looked at this positively for activities and socializations. It was evident that the stress of the changes has led to anxiety, depression, and a decrease in self-confidence among students. CONCLUSIONS: A proportion (37.5%) of students experienced stress as the education system reverted to the pre-COVID norms. This suggested the need to identify the affected students and arrange appropriate support.

Citation

Kar B, Kar S, Rath N, Das M, Kar N. (2025) The psychological stress of returning to in-person institution-based educational activities by students in college and universities following the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey. Odisha Journal of Psychiatry, 21(1), pp. 9-14..

Type

Journal article

Language

en

Description

© 2025 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://journals.lww.com/odjp/fulltext/2025/01000/the_psychological_stress_of_returning_to_in_person.3.aspx

ISSN

2950-5992

Collections

Faculty of Science and Engineering