A descriptive study to assess the stress and coping mechanism

due to lockdown among school going children in selected

community area of distt. Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 2021

A Synopsis

Submitted For The Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirement For The Degree Of

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

CHILD HEALTH NURSING

Of

HIMACHAL PRADESH UNIVERSITY

SHIMLA, HIMACHAL PRADESH

2021

Shivani

NETAJI SUBHASH COLLEGE OF NURSING PALAMPUR. DISTRICT

KANGRA, (H.P)
 ABSTRACT OF PLAN OF THESIS

TITLE
A descriptive study to assess the stress and
coping mechanism due to lockdown among
school going children in selected schools of
district. Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 2021

FOR THE DEGREE Master of Science in Nursing

( Child Health Nursing)
NAME OF THE Mrs. Shivani
CANDIDATE
GUIDE Mrs. Shivani Thakur, Associate Professor
Child Health Nursing
Netaji Subhash College of Nursing Palampur

CO-GUIDE Miss. Swati Sharma, Lecturer

Child Health Nursing
Netaji Subhash College of Nursing Palampur

INSTITUTION Netaji Subhash College of Nursing Palampur, Kangra (H.P.)

UNIVERSITY Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, (H.P.)

Abstract: Corona virus is an infectious disease came in December 2019 in China. People with
infection get the respiratory problem but doesn't show any symptoms and not required any
treatment. But those are having underlying problems like diabetes mellitus, pregnant women
and children are having risk of getting complication with corona virus infection. The
government announced immediate lockdown in country for the prevention of spread of
infection and has change life of million children into complete confusion. Many are starving for
the foods and calling for the help as the country shuts down to battle the pandemic. The largest
child population is in India with 472 million, and Promoters say due to this immediate lockdown
many children has disturbed. A assessment survey was done among parents has shown that
 children's are having more anxiety, increased use of TV and Social media and changed eating
pattern. Another study shows that 37% of the children are psychological disturb and 88% spent
most of the time on using social networking sites Objective: To assess stress and coping
mechanism due to lockdown among school going children. Methodology: A Descriptive
Research Approach is used. 60 samples were selected by using Non Probability Purposive
Sampling Technique. Data was taken using Stress and coping mechanism questinnarrie through
online Google form Result.

SYNOPSIS
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
A descriptive study to assess the stress and
coping mechanism due to lockdown among
school going children in selected schools of
district. Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 2021

GUIDE Mrs. Shivani Thakur,

Associate Professor
Child Health Nursing
Netaji Subhash College of Nursing Palampur

CO-GUIDE Miss. Swati Sharma,

Lecturer
Child Health Nursing
Netaji Subhash College of Nursing Palampur

SUBMITTED BY Mrs. Shivani

INSTITUTION Netaji Subhash College of Nursing Palampur, Kangra (H.P.)

 UNIVERSITY Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, (H.P.)

Approval Performa By Research And Ethical Committee

NETAJI SUBHASH COLLEGE OF NURSING, PALAMPUR

Name of Candidate Mrs. Shivani
Topic of Thesis
A descriptive study to assess the stress and coping
mechanism due to lockdown among school going
children in selected schools of district. Mandi,
Himachal Pradesh 2021

Date of Enrolment
Name of the guide Mrs.Shivani Thakur, Associate Professor
Name of the co guide Miss. Swati Sharma, Lecturer
Signature of member of Signature of member of Ethical Committee
research committee

Mrs. Jaya D shrishetty Mrs. Jaya D shrishetty

Principal Principal Chairperson
Chairperson

Mrs. Shivani Thakur Mr. jagmel katoch

Associate professor Sr. advocate
Member Legal/ ethical consultant
Mrs. Shikha mehra Mrs. Kanchan mala
Associated professor Assistant professor
member Member
Mrs. Pankaj Mrs. Ritika
Assistant professor Assistant professor
Member Member
Mrs. Anu rana Mrs. Diksha Sharma
Statistician Assistant professor
Member Member

Approved : Yes/No Approved : Yes/No

Mrs. Jaya D shrishetty Mrs. Jaya D shrishetty

Principal Principal

Netaji Subhash college of nursing Netaji Subhash College of nursing

Palampur Palampur

Chairperson Chairperson

Research committee Ethical committee

 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
INTRODUCTION
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over
another.”

- ‘William james’

On 30th of January 2020, WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of

International Concern after the first clusters of people infected by COVID-19 were
diagnosed in China (WHO, 2020). The day after, the Italian Government started to
define the first containment measures, such as checking people entering the
country from China, in order to prevent the expansion of the contagion in the
country (Government, 2020). However, from the second half of February the
number of Italian cases increased, especially in Northern Italy. This led the
Government to announce on February 21st the first restrictive measures in what
was defined as the first Red Zone, including defined territories in the regions of
Lombardia and Veneto, the areas most affected by the infection. Since the
pandemic kept spreading around the country, the Prime Minister issued on March
9th a decree which extended to the entire national territory the restrictions already
in force locally. The rules were supposed to last until April 3rd, but were extended
by two more decrees firstly until April 13th and, later, until May 3rd (Government,
2020). At the time of writing (April 26th, 2020), there were in Italy 199,000
confirmed cases and 26,977 deaths, more than half of which occurred only in
Lombardia and Veneto. When the data of the present study were collected
(between the 2nd and the 7th of April), those numbers were still increasing,
showing that the end of the pandemic is still a long way off.

The measures, known as #Iamstayingathome (#IoRestoaCasa), include the closure

of shops, except those selling crucial necessities, the cancellation of all sports
events, and the shutdown of schools and universities across the country
(Government, 2020). With schools, all the educative supporting services directed
to children of all ages were closed, with teachers from primary grade onwards
providing online lectures. Quarantine began for the entire population; everyone
was banned from leaving home except for non-deferrable and proven work or
health reasons, or other urgent matters. Smart working has been incentivized, but
since most activities are closed many people lost their job or went through a severe
reduction of their income.

The life condition of families suddenly and deeply changed. In the home
environment, the educational role of parents for children has become even much
crucial than before. Children have only their parents around them, to provide
support with homework when necessary and promote a positive development and
new learning experiences for toddlers and preschoolers (Wang et al., 2020).
Parents have been left alone not only in taking care of home-schooling their
children, but also in general in the management of their children and of the home
environment. All other educational services are closed, babysitters and
grandparents are not available, and contact with peers is not allowed. Many parents
also must do smart-working, and handling time and spaces to work with children
around may be very problematic. Though quarantine means that time that can be
shared with loved ones has increased, it also poses a major burden on parents'
shoulders, as they are called to take an educational role while also trying to live
their own lives and get on with their everyday job commitments. This situation has
significantly increased the risk of experiencing stress and negative emotions in
parents, with a potentially cascading effect on children's wellbeing (Sprang and
Silman, 2013).

Hence, despite its positive effect in reducing the number of new infected cases, the
mobility restriction and social isolation associated with quarantine are major
concerns for families' psychological wellbeing. Related to this, the health care
situation of the country is fragile, calling for attention. Hospitals are overcrowded,
and the number of deaths is still increasing, as well as the number of infected
people and those recovering in hospitals (Government, 2020). It is becoming very
common to know at least one person who tested positive to COVID-19 or was
hospitalized, and, most regretfully, to have experienced the loss of a person due to
COVID-19. This might generate fear and preoccupation in parents and children,
even for families who do not have to face health problems (Liu et al., 2020).
Literature concerning previous experiences all over the world that may have some
aspects in common with the COVID-19 situation reported a high presence of
psychological distress such as depression, stress, irritability, and post-traumatic
stress symptoms associated with quarantine (Hawryluck et al., 2004; Brooks et al.,
2020) with long-lasting effects continuing for years after the event (Liuetal.,2012).

The majority of studies conducted during previous pandemics and from the
beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak examined psychological consequences on
the general population, leaving the study of effects on parents and children mainly
unexplored, with few exceptions (Brooks et al., 2020). One study found that levels
of post-traumatic stress were four times higher in children who had been
quarantined than in those who were not (Sprang and Silman, 2013). A preliminary
study conducted in China reported the presence of psychological difficulties in
children during the COVID-19 pandemic, with fear, clinging, inattention, and
irritability as the most severe symptoms for younger children (Jiao et al., 2020).
Still, mechanisms that might explain what specific COVID-19 related risk factors
put children more at risk of negative outcomes, and what is the interplay between
COVID-19 lockdown and parents' wellbeing on children's adjustment, have not
been investigated yet. A deeper understanding of family processes, protective
factors, and risk factors in the home environment might be important if the
wellbeing of children is to be promoted in these difficult times (Wang et al., 2020).

The present study wants to shed light on families' well-being during the COVID-19
outbreak in Italy, by exploring parents' and children's individual and dyadic
adjustment after one month of quarantine. Understanding parents' and children's
reactions and emotions, and identifying risk and protective factors, is essential to
properly address their needs to tailor present and future intervention programs
(Sprang and Silman, 2013).

In general, little is known about which factors may be associated with protection
against child behavioral and emotional problems during a health emergency. In
order to fill this gap, the main aim of the present study was to explore how
pandemic-related variables, structural aspects of the home and family environment,
and parental subjective experience of stress and adjustment to the quarantine,
affect the wellbeing of parents and children, and how in turn the well-being of
parents and children are associated. Specifically, we explored both individual
parent stress and dyadic perception of stress since it is well-know that both levels
of stress may impair children's well-being (Belsky, 1984; Abidin, 1992; Madigan
et al., 2018; Martin et al., 2019). We expected that implications of the COVID-19
outbreak might increase parents' psychological difficulties, particularly stress both
at the individual and the dyadic level, with a consequent negative impact on
children's emotional and behavioral well-being (Dalton et al., 2020).
 NEED OF STUDY
A Descriptive Research Approach is used. 60 samples were selected by using Non
Probability Purposive Sampling Technique. Data was taken using Stress and
coping mechanism questinnarrie through online Google form.
Result:
The study findings show that majority (41%) of the children answered were
from 10th standard ,30% from 9thstandard ,17% from 8th standard and 12% from 7th
standard.It also shows. that 58% were male and 42% were girl children. The
assessment of stress is done by using the questionnaire based on the stress
parameter like physical, psychological, family, financial burden, academics,
quarrel with siblings, food .The rating were selected through 5 point likert scale
from strongly disagree to Strongly agree. The result of stress due to lockdown
findings shows that in majority of the children are strongly agree and agree with
the physical stress, psychological stress ,family stress, stress due to financial
burden, Academics stress, quareel with sibling and food due to lockdown. The
children were using the many coping mechanism to relive this stress and majority
of the children wereusing the coping mechanisms like using social media, exercise,
doing study, doing householdwork, entertainment.

Stress is a disabling illness which increases the risk of depression and suicide. The
Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a rise in fear, anxiety,
stress, and depression among the population: of these, university undergraduates
from countries severely affected by COVID-19 are some of the most vulnerable of
all, as they face strict lockdown measures and have fewer resources to cope with
it. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of fear of COVID-19, stress,
anxiety, and depression during lockdown among undergraduates from Ecuador,
and to test these possible predictors of depression using a model taken from our
study of the scientific literature. A total of 640 undergraduates (72% women)
between 18 and 47 years old (M = 21.69; S.D = 4.093) were surveyed. The
resulting mean levels found for stress, anxiety, and depression were above levels
considered non-pathological. Women showed higher levels of fear of COVID-19
than men. The statistical prediction for depression showed a good fit. This
depression could be related: both directly and positively by fear of COVID-19 and
stress, and indirectly, as a result of these two factors, positively mediated by
anxiety. Our study concludes by highlighting the important role that the complex
relationships between fear, stress, and anxiety can play in the development of
depression symptoms and how they can be taken into account in programs aimed
at preventing and alleviating this disorder. We propose some general measures
for reducing fear of COVID-19 and stress and suggest that specific programs be
designed to control and overcome anxiety among undergraduates.

The governments of the worst affected countries, in terms of number of

infections, patients, and mortality levels, such as China, Italy, Spain, and Ecuador,
have decreed long periods of self-isolation and/or lockdown, in which citizens
have had to stay home. This has seriously affected the living conditions of their
populations, and it has been especially detrimental in countries with fewer
resources, such as those in the Latin American region. Certain aspects of the
disease, such as the uncertainty about how it is spread, its evolution or about the
immunity of patients who have been infected, or the absence of a vaccine to
counter the disease, have led to an increased feeling of fear among the
population (Orellana and Orellana, 2020; Ornell et al., 2020; Rodríguez-Rey et al.,
2020).

Of the 195 students, 138 (71%) indicated increased stress and anxiety due to the
COVID-19 outbreak. Multiple stressors were identified that contributed to the
increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive thoughts among students.
These included fear and worry about their own health and of their loved ones
(177/195, 91% reported negative impacts of the pandemic), difficulty in
concentrating (173/195, 89%), disruptions to sleeping patterns (168/195, 86%),
decreased social interactions due to physical distancing (167/195, 86%), and
increased concerns on academic performance (159/195, 82%). To cope with
stress and anxiety, participants have sought support from others and helped
themselves by adopting either negative or positive coping mechanisms .

Using a purposive sampling technique (Kothari, 2009), the researcher approached

a large number of a heterogeneous group of students pursuing graduation and
post-graduation from different management schools in India. An email explaining
the objective of the study was sent to each prospective applicant; after seeking
their willingness to participate, the online questionnaire was shared with them.
However, after repeated follow-ups, 94 students have responded with their filled
responses and were included in the study. A telephonic discussion was also
carried out by researchers with respondents to discuss various ways adopted by
them to cope with academic stress. The data were collected during the lockdown
in India (April–May 2020)
 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
“A review of literature on the research topic makes the researcher familiar with the existing
studies and provides a foundation upon which to base new knowledge. It involves the systematic
identification, location, scrunity and summary of written materials that contain information on a
research problem.”

On the basis of my study, the review of literature is related to ;

 Review of literature related to incidence of nutritional problems.

 Review of literature related to knowledge of mothers regarding well-balanced diet.
 Review of literature related to practice of mothers regarding well-balanced diet.

(Tobia and Marzocchi, 2018).The current study focuses specifically on the

following subscales: emotional symptoms, hyperactivity-inattention, and conduct
problems. Each subscale is measured by 5 items, rated on a 3-point scale. To
obtain the total scores, items are summed. Cronbach's alpha in the current study
were as follow: 0.64 for the emotional symptoms scale (90% CIs [0.62–0.66]), 0.73
for the hyperactivity-inattention scale (90% CIs [0.72–0.75]), and 0.53 (90% CIs
[0.51–0.55]) for the conduct problems scale. Values were comparable to those
reported in the Italian evaluation of the SDQ

(Goodman, 2001).Behavioral and psychological problems in children were

investigated using the parent-report form of the Strengths and Difficulties
Questionnaire (SDQ)

(Government, 2020).The COVID-19 outbreak is a completely new and unexpected

situation currently affecting many countries. Italy was, after China, the second
most highly affected country at the time, with the pandemic spreading very fast.
In just a few weeks, the population found itself from thinking that the pandemic
was happening far away, to being directly involved

(Abidin, 1992; Scaramella et al., 2008) The effect we identified in our study may
be explained in many ways. More stressed parents find it more difficult to
understand their child's needs and to respond in a sensitive way
 Problem statement
A descriptive study to assess the stress and coping mechanism
due to lockdown among school going children in selected
schools of district. Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 2021

Objectives
• To assess the level of stress among school going children during lockdown.

• To assess the coping strategy among school going children during

lockdown.

• To find out the relationship between stress and coping mechanism among
school going children.

• To find out the association of level of stress among school going children
with their selected socio demographic variable.

Hypothesis
• H1: There will be significant relationship between stress and coping
mechanism among school going children.

• H01: There will be no significant relationship between stress and coping

mechanism among school going children.

• H2 : There will be significant association of level of stress among school

going children with their selected socio demographic variables.

• H02 : There will be no significant association of level of stress among

school going children with their selected socio demographic variables.
 Assumption
The proposed study assumes that:

• The children may have some stress regarding lockdown.

• The children may use some type of coping mechanism to reduce the level of
stress.

• The school going children may provide the relevant information.

DELIMITATIONS
The study will be delimited to:
• 100 school going children

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

The operational definitions are:

1. ASSESS: it is a statistical measurement of stress and coping mechanisms due

to lockdown among school going children as observed by administration
structured tool.

2. Stress: Stress is the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with

mental or emotional pressure. Stress can be defined as any type of change that
causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. It is body's response to
anything that requires attention or action.

3. Coping mechanism: A coping mechanism is a psychological strategy or

adaptation that a children relies on to manage stress. The corona virus
pandemic represents a sever global crisis, affecting physical and
psychological health. Sometimes, coping mechanisms are intentional
choices, while other times a person may be unaware that they’re using
them.
4. . School-age child: School age child is a range from 12 to 16 years of age.
Due to lockdown situation they are not able to go to school and taking online
classes from their home.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Research Approach

A quantitative research approach.

Research Design

Descriptive

VARIABLES

Variables are qualities, properties, or characteristics of person, things or

situations that change or vary.

Independent Variable: It is a stimulus or activity that is manipulated or

varied by the researcher to create the effect on the dependent variable.

• Stress and coping mechanism among school going children

Dependent Variable: It is the outcome or response due to the effect of the

independent variable, which researcher wants to predict or explain.

• lockdown

RESEARCH SETTING

Research setting is the physical, social, or experimental context within which

research is conducted by the researcher.
 • The present study will be conducted at selected schools of district
Mandi,(H.P)
POPULATION
The entire set of individuals (12-16 year children) or objects having
some common characteristics selected for a research study.
• The population of the present study is school going children.

• Target population :
A target population consists of the total number of school age
children (12-16year children) or objects which are meeting the
designated set of criteria.
 School going children of age 12to 16 years

• Accessible population :
School age children of age group 12to 16 years at selected schools
of district Mandi and who fulfill the selection criteria.
 School age children of age group 12to 16 years at selected
schools of district Mandi (H.P)

SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

• Sample
A part or subset of population selected to participate in research study. In
this study, sample is school going children.
 In the present study sample is children.

• Sampling Technique
Sample will be selected by non probability purposive sampling technique.
 Sample will be selected by Non probability purposive sampling technique.
 • Sample Size
The Sample size of the study constitutes of 100 school going children
 The sample size of the study constitutes 100, school going children

CRITERIA FOR SAMPLE COLLECTION

Inclusion Criteria:

This study includes school going children:

• Who will be willing to participate in the study.

• Who will present at the time of data collection. 

Exclusion Criteria:

This study excludes school going children

• Who are not willing to participate in the study.

• Who will be sick at the time of data collection.

DATA COLLECTION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUE

Part –I:

• Socio demographic variables.

Part- II:

• Self structured knowledge questionnaire.

• Self structured observational checklist.

CONTENT VALIDITY OF TOOL

Content validity will be established with expert opinion of various medical
and nursing fields.

RELIABILITY OF TOOL
 Reliability is the degree to which research method produces stable and
consistent results.
 The reliability of tool will be assessed by split half method.

PILOT STUDY
Pilot study is a small scale study conducted to test the plan and method of a research
study.
 It will be conducted on 10% of total sample size to check the feasibility of the study.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
• A written permission will be obtained from Principal, Netaji Subhash
College of Nursing Palampur.
• Ethical clearance will be taken from ethical clearance committee of Netaji
Subhash College of Nursing Palampur.
• Written permission will be taken from Principal of selected School of
District Mandi.
• Written informed consent will be taken from each study sample anonymity
and confidentiality of each sample will be assured and maintained
throughout the study.

PROCEDURE OF DATA COLLECTION

• A self structured questionnaire for assessing level of stress of school going
children . Data to be collect from selected school of district Mandi (H.P.) by
purposive (non probability sampling ) technique. Before starting the data
collection procedure the researcher introduced their self and rapport will
be developed with the subject. The questinnarrie given to the participant
and give instructions regarding the questions. 15-20 min will be provide.
After 20 minutes questionnaire will be collected from them. Checklist to be
used to assess the coping mechanism of the school going children.
 PLAN OF DATA ANALYSIS

It includes descriptive and inferential statistics:

• Descriptive statistics: the statistical analysis includes frequency,

percentage, mean, median and standard deviation.
• Inferential statistics:
 Co-relational Co-efficient will be used to find out the relationship
between stress and coping mechanism due to lockdown.
 Chi square test to find out the association level of stress, among
school going children with their selected socio demographic
variables

DISCUSSION
• Discussion will be based on statistical analysis, current trends and previously
related research studies.
References:-