MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE RESEARCH JOURNAL

Mental Health Conditions of Mabalacat City College Students

During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Michelle Aguilar-Ong, DPA
Conrad M. Buerkley, Ed.D
Amelia Z. Macapagal, RGC
Marivic B. Gacho, MPA
Marilyn Arcilla, LPT, MAN

Abstract – The main purpose of the present study was to describe,
compare, and analyze on mental health conditions of Mabalacat City
College students during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 307
respondents who are the second-year students enrolled during the first
semester of school year 2020-2021. The study employed descriptive
method with comparative analysis of data and the convenience
sampling method was utilized.
The results indicated that the student-respondents level of depression
and anxiety are progressing. Meanwhile, most students who tend to
seek help have high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress which
interpreted to extremely severe using the DASS-21 self-report scale.
The researchers strongly recommending activities that will benefit the
student-respondents in overcoming depression, anxiety, and stress in
general, and should be implemented immediately.
Keywords: Mental health condition, DASS-21, depression, anxiety,
stress
I. INTRODUCTION
An unprecedented global crisis known as the COVID-
19 pandemic had its effects across nations, and across
populations. Everyone became direct and indirect victims of
the virus which did not discriminate among ages, status, or
race.
A vulnerable sector, undeniably, are the young people
known to be generally mobile, active, outgoing, and sociable.
The lockdown, quarantines, isolation, social distancing, which
almost all nations of the world took as preventive measures to
avoid the spread of the virus has taken a toll in the mental and
psychological health of many. Educational institutions, leisure
facilities, and malls were some of the establishments and
operations which were either closed or restricted, and this has
disabled the young people to do their usual activities outside
of the home. The President of the Philippines, in response to
the pandemic, has ordered the young people, aged 21 and
below to remain in their homes at the onset of the lockdown
termed as Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ.
The 2019 UNICEF data shows that there are about 2.2
billion young people in the world, with ages ranging from 10
to 19 which constitutes 28% of the world’s population that
could have impacted the young people by the covid-19
pandemic, and the adverse consequences on adolescents and
children could be long-term. Young people with healthy
mental or psychological make-up could have been affected,
but how much more those whose vulnerability are at risk on
the basis of their poor mental health status before the
pandemic, their response to stress, and positive history of
depression, and anxiety.
In the Philippines, even before the pandemic, the
World Health Organization (WHO) had already identified the
country as having more than three million cases of depression,
one of the highest in Southeast Asia identified 14% or 1.14
million Filipinos with mental disabilities by the Philippine
Statistics Authority. (PSA, 2010).
A study conducted at Mabalacat City College before
the pandemic identified some students who are considered
“high-risk” as based on their moderate to high level of
depression, anxiety, and stress. It is on this situation that this
present research aims to reassess these students’ mental health
status brought as consequences of the pandemic.
Related Literature
The world of research is evidently scrambling to find
out the mental health conditions of different groups of people
during this COVID-19 pandemic. Among them are researches
describing the mental health status of students in educational
institutions, that is, the psychological effects of the COVID-
19 pandemic, lockdowns, and other forms of restrictions
imposed on students.
Wang, et. al (2020) found out that the COVID-19
pandemic has commonly increased the degrees of stress and
depression among people. In their study, the extent of
respondents indicating depression, anxiety, or suicidal thought
is disturbing, where respondents detailed scholarly, wellbeing,
and way of life related concerns brought about by the
pandemic as sources of worry. It was thus recommended that
given the unforeseen length and seriousness of the pandemic,

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MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE RESEARCH JOURNAL
these worries should be tended to, and that further studies
ought to continue to forestall an auxiliary pestilence, installed
inside the COVID-19 pandemic, of a genuine, cross country
mental burden and potential actual self-hurt among weak
undergraduates.
In Europe, several college/university-based
researches have also been conducted.
Psychological effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and
lockdown among students and workers of a Spanish university
was the focus of Gonzalez, et. Al., (2020), aimed at analyzing
the psychological and emotional impact of COVID-19 in the
university community during the first weeks of confinement.
Using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), an
assessment was made on the symptoms of depression, anxiety
and stress of the respondents, while the emotional impact was
analyzed using the Impact of Event Scale, with 2530 members
of the University of Valladolid, as participants. The results
revealed that moderate to extremely severe scores of anxiety,
depression, and stress were reported by 21 to 34% of the
respondents. The results further revealed that a total of
50.43% of respondents had moderate to severe impact of the
outbreak. Thus, a recommendation was made by the
researchers to provide timely crisis-oriented psychological
services and to take preventive measures in future pandemic
situations, and that mental health in university students should
be carefully monitored.
Another study on students' loneliness, depression and
stress levels in COVID-19 crisis was conducted by Miseries,
et.al (2020) based on the report findings from 248
international undergraduates in The Netherlands. The findings
revealed that there are strong correlations between anxiety,
loneliness, and COVID-19-related stress with university
satisfaction together with social capital. It was noted that
where students are often thousands of miles away from their
families, compounded with compulsory lockdown due to the
pandemic, created an “explosive mix of emotions” which led
to increased stress or even depression. To measure the anxiety
and the depression of the respondents, the researchers used the
Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS). Based on the
results, the stress, panic and anxiety from the pandemic
lockdown are found associated with high levels of loneliness;
and similarly, depression is also associated with high levels of
loneliness. The lockdown experience on a student’s life is
shown to be correlated to high levels of anxiety.
Also in the Netherlands, a research on mental health
and social contact during the covid-19 pandemic, Fried, et al
(2020) concluded that students are at elevated risk for mental
health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic and public health
responses such as school and university closures caused once-
in-a-lifetime disruptions of daily life for most students. In
March 2020, during the beginning of the outbreak in the
Netherlands, the Ecological Momentary Assessment was used
to follow 80 bachelor students 4 times a day for 2 weeks.
Despite rapidly increasing rates of infections and deaths,
short-term dynamics revealed slight decreases of mental
health problems, COVID-19 related concerns, and loneliness,
especially in the first few days of the study. Students showed
no changes in the frequency of in-person social activities.
Dynamic network models indicated that social activities were
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negatively related to being at home, and identified reinforcing
vicious cycles among mental health problems and being alone,
which in turn predicted concerns about COVID-19.
Participants were recruited in the week following March 4,
2020, through online advertisements on social networks,
posters and flyers distributed in the Faculty of Social Sciences
of Leiden University, or directly approached by the
researchers. Participants were students at Leiden University.
The baseline survey consisted of 159 questions, in which
participants were asked, among others, about their age,
gender, relationship status, employment status, nationality,
and prior mental health issues. In addition, the researchers
assessed several constructs for which they used in part
adapted or shortened versions of original scales to decrease
participant burden: last-week problems regarding depression,
anxiety, and stress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale; DASS-
21); last-month perceived stress (10-item Perceived Stress
Scale by Cohen & Williamson); general loneliness (5 items
from the 8-item revised UCLA loneliness scale;; general
frequency of social in-person activities (1 item); and self-
efficacy (10-item General Self-Efficacy Scale. All scales were
modified to range from 1 through 5 for consistent assessment.
Due to these differences compared to the original scales, they
refer to the adapted DASS-21 score as Global Mental Health
score, and the adapted ULS loneliness scale as loneliness
score, for the remainder of the manuscript.
Another study in Poland, Debowska, et. al. (2020),
stated that the time of boundless episodes of infectious
diseases can prompt raised stress and emotional well-being
issues among all people affected, and specifically those sub-
gatherings of the populace that are at an expanded danger of
psychological well-being issues- the college understudies. The
point of this investigation is to survey stress, depression,
anxiety, and suicidality among various gatherings of college
understudies (medical, psychology, and other). The outcomes
show a huge expansion in depression levels as the pandemic
was advancing. The study found that female students scored
altogether higher than male students on depression, anxiety,
and stress. Psychology students recorded the most minimal
scores on depression and anxiety. Young adult students (aged
18–24 years) had more manifestations of depression, anxiety,
and suicidality than grown-up understudies (⩾25 years).
In Italy, Rossi, et. al. (2020) reports on the mental
health outcomes related to COVID-19 outbreak and related
lockdown measures on the general population in Italy. The
study shows relatively high rates of PTSS, Depression
symptoms, Anxiety symptoms, Insomnia, Perceived stress and
ADS, with young women having higher odds of endorsing a
mental health outcome. These outcomes were associated with
a number of COVID-19-related risk factors, including being
under quarantine, having a loved one deceased by COVID-19,
working activity discontinued due to lockdown measures, or
experiencing other stressful events (i.e. working, financial,
relationship, or housing problems) due to the pandemic or
lockdown measures. These findings were adjusted for
previous psychiatric illness and a history of childhood trauma,
suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic is exerting an
independent effect on the population mental health.
MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE RESEARCH JOURNAL
Mental health has also been the focus of some
researches in different parts of Asia.
An online mental health survey in a Medical College in
China during the COVID-19 Outbreak, Jia Liu, et.al (2020),
used materials and methods like the WeChat-based survey
program Questionnaire Star, which contained questions from
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized
Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). A total of 217 students
participated in the survey. As revealed, 35.5% who
participated in the survey were in a state of depression, and
22.1% were in a state of anxiety. The majority of students
who were in depressed or anxiety states had mild or moderate
states. There were no significant differences in students in
terms of gender, geographical location, and grade, for the
prevalence of depression and anxiety. The study implies that
universities need to take measures to prevent, identify, and
deal with mental health problems among students during
large-scale stressors.
Another study in India on depression, anxiety and stress
among Indians in times of Covid-19 lockdown, Rehman, et. al. (2020),
attempts to investigate mental misery among individuals living in India
during the lockdown- that is, manifestations of despondency, tension,
stress, and family opulence. The outcomes showed that individuals
who need more supplies to support the lockdown were generally
influenced, and family luxuriousness was discovered to be contrarily
related with stress, anxiety, and depression. Among various callings,
understudies and medical services experts were found to encounter
with stress, anxiety, and depression more than others. The information
was gathered from various experts including understudies for this
examination. To the extent sex contrasts on with stress, anxiety, and
depression were concerned, the males and females appeared to endure
similarly. The degrees of stress and depression were discovered to be
gentle, though the degrees of anxiety were moderate among males and
females.
The same scenario was unveiled in another study conducted in
Pakistan, as the progressing COVID-19 pandemic, health care
professionals (HDPs) are confronting tremendous strain because of the
heavy load of cases, Sandesh, et. al. (2020). As a rule, they work
progressively extended periods, frequently with restricted assets and a
questionable foundation. In this manner, it is critical to beware of the
psychological wellness of caregivers. In light of the results of this
study, it is clear that an alarmingly high number of healthcare workers
are the victims of mental health ill-effects caused by the COVID-19
pandemic. In this study, high levels of anxiety, stress and depression
among medical care experts were noted, which is a reason for concern.
Both the public authority and medical services organizations are liable
for securing the mental prosperity of medical care networks
everywhere on the world and guaranteeing a solid workplace. Since
there is a high predominance of stress, anxiety, and depression among
HCPs treating COVID-19 patients, it is basic to contribute assets to
advance the emotional wellness government assistance of forefront
experts.
As regard the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in
the Philippines, Tee, et. al. (2020), stated that the 2019 Covid illness
(COVID-19) pandemic represents a danger to social orders' emotional
wellness. The study examined the pervasiveness of mental side effects
and recognized the components adding to mental effect in the
Philippines. The study shows that females are more affected than
males. The less educated, single individuals, kids and youths, the
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individuals who have no children detailed elevated levels of stress,
anxiety, depression and psychological impact. These subgroups,
considered at more serious danger for unfavorable psychological
results during a general wellbeing emergency, might be encountering
low social and enthusiastic help, expanded apparent danger to
prosperity and sensations of dread, disengagement and vulnerability.
Synthesis
The surveyed literature revealed mental health issues and risks
posed by the COVID-19 to various populations, students included. In
some researches, depression, anxiety, and stress as measured by
DASS-21 was used as tool. The present study targeted a specific
student population, that is, from a local college and employed the
DASS-21 as well as tool to describe depression, anxiety, and stress.
While there are different mental health issues tackled in the previous
studies conducted, as shown above, the present study made reference
only to depression, anxiety, and stress to describe mental health
condition.
Conceptual Framework
Figure 1 below illustrates the framework of the study.
The base data consisting of the respondents’ sex, civil status,
and the obtained scores on the depression, anxiety, and stress
scales are processed. The data are described, compared
statistically, and the results are analyzed. This is to have a
picture of the mental health conditions of the student
respondents during the pandemic, and group differences as to
sex, and before and during the pandemic.
Figure 1. Conceptual Paradigm of the Study
Hypothesis:
The following null hypotheses are tested:
1. There is no significant difference between the
males and females’ scores on depression, anxiety,
and stress at .05 level of significance using two-
tailed test.
2. There is no significant difference in the
respondents’ depression, anxiety and stress scores
when they before and during the pandemic
lockdown using two-tailed t-test at .05 level of
significance.
MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE RESEARCH JOURNAL
Scope and Limitations
The study is limited to the second-year college students
of Mabalacat City College during the First Semester of School
Year 2020-2021 who were also enrolled during the First
Semester of School Year 2019-2010. The measures of
depression, anxiety, and stress is based on the DASS21 or
Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale which has 21 items.
Significance of the Study
The results of the study are deemed significant to the
following:
The MCC administration and students. The results may
promote an understanding on the part of the college
administration of the current plight and mental condition of
the students. This can be made reference by the college
administration in mobilizing the college departments and units
to develop intervention programs and strategies to help the
students in need. Consequently, the students shall be the
primary beneficiaries in this study.
Mental health professionals and health care providers.
The results may provide foundation in devising mental health
intervention programs which may be implemented by the
following professionals: psychologists, guidance counselors,
legal consultants, social workers, women crisis workers and
psychotherapists.
Other researchers. Other researchers, counselors, or
psychologists may also look into other possible sectors whose
mental health shall be described, by adopting the framework
of this study.
Global community. The study is a contribution to the
global arena for a better understanding of the mental health
conditions of people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to
participate in the need for researches globally, due to the
phenomenally notorious pandemic.
II. METHODS
A. Research Design
The study employed descriptive method with
comparative analysis of data. The comparison is on the means
between the test and retest.
B. Respondents of the Study
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The respondents in the study are the second-year
students enrolled during the first semester of SY 2020-2021.
The convenience sampling method was employed whereby
those students who were able to comply with online testing of
the instruments have comprised the total sample of 307. From
these respondents, there are 50 students who were chosen
purposively for the test-retest of the instrument. These
students were able to initially take the test during their
freshman year on the first semester of SY 2019-2020 prior to
the pandemic lockdown, and then had the retest.
C. Instrument Used
The DASS21 (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21)
questionnaire was the test used. This is a 21-item self-report
scale designed to measure the emotional states of depression,
anxiety, and stress. The scores are converted to levels as to
normal, mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe. The
author, Peter Lovibond, gave permission to use the said test.
D. Data Gathering Procedure
Permission was sought from the academic department
of the college to administer the DASS21 questionnaire to
second year college students. The DASS21 questionnaire was
then floated online.
E. Data Analysis
In processing the data, computations of the means,
standard deviations, and t-tests were the statistical tools
employed. The t-test was used to compare the depression,
anxiety, and stress scores of the respondents before and during
the pandemic lockdown, at .05 level of significance, using 2-
tailed test. The computations were done using the SPSS
statistical package software.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Description of the Respondents
The respondents are described as to sex and civil
status.
Table 1
Profile of the respondents according to sex
Sex f %
Female 229 74.59
Male 78 25.41
Total 307 100.00
The majority of the student respondents are females
(229 or 75%) while about 25% (78) are males.
MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE RESEARCH JOURNAL
condition. There are 27 or about 9% who are suffering
from severe to extremely severe stress.
Table 2.

Profile of the Respondents According to Civil Status Table 5

Civil Status f % Respondents’ DASS Level on Anxiety

Single 303 98.70
Married 4 1.30 Level f %
Total 307 100.00 Normal 79 25.73
Mild 20 6.51
As shown on Table 2, there are only 4 or 1% of the Moderate 83 27.04
respondents who are married, and the rest are all single. Severe 51 16.61
Extremely Severe 74 24.10
Description of the Respondents’ Mental Health Condition Total 307 100.00

The respondents’ mental health conditions are described in
terms of their level of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Table 3
As can be gauged on the above table, there are 99
respondents or about 32% who have normal level of
anxiety, and 83 or 27% with moderate level of anxiety.
More than one-third (125 or about 40%) however, are on
severe to extremely severe anxiety level.

Respondents’ DAS level on Depression

Comparison of the Mental Health Conditions Between Male
Level f % and Female Respondents
Normal 113 36.81 There are 229 female respondents and 78 males. Their
Mild 56 18.24 scores in depression, anxiety, and stress based on the DASS21
Moderate 86 28.01 are compared.
Severe 33 10.75
Extremely Severe 19 6.19
Table 6
Total 307 100.00
Comparison of the Depression Mean Scores Between the
A perusal of the above table reveals that there are 169 Female and Male Respondents
respondents (55%) or more than half of them who have
mild to normal level of depression; 86 or 28% with Depression Mean S.D. Description
moderate depression, and 52 or 17% with severe to Females (229) 13.31 8.192
extremely severe level of depression. Males (78) 11.72 7.543
Mean difference = 1.592
t= 1.512
Table 4 Sig. (2-tailed) = .132

Respondents’ DASS Level on Stress Based on the above table, the female respondents obtained a
mean score of 13.31 (S.D.=8.192) on depression, while the
Level f % males’ mean score is 11.72 (S.D.= 7.543). The mean
Normal 140 45.60 difference of 1.592 is not significant (p>.05).
Mild 96 31.27
Moderate 44 14.33
Severe 24 7.82
Extremely Severe 3 0.98
Total 307 100.00

Almost half of the respondents (140 or 45%) are on

normal level of stress, and 96 or 31% have mild stress Table 7

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MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE RESEARCH JOURNAL
Comparison of the Anxiety Mean Scores Between the Female It is revealed on Table 9 that the mean score on depression of
and Male Respondents the respondents during the initial test prior to the pandemic is
9.16 (S.D.= 6.129), and on the retest during pandemic is 13.92
Anxiety Mean S.D. Description (S.D.= 8.280) with a mean difference of -.4.76. There is
Females (229) 13.65 8.135 significant mean difference at .000 (p<.05). The null
Males (78) 11.71 7.619 hypothesis is thus rejected. Before the pandemic, the level of
Mean difference = 1.941 depression of the respondents is described as mild, and during
t= 1.849 pandemic, moderate.
Sig. (2-tailed) = .065

Table 10
Table 7 reveals the mean scores in anxiety scale of the female
and male respondents at 13.65 (S.D.=8.135) and 11.71 Comparison of the Anxiety Mean Scores of the Respondents
(S.D.=7.619), respectively. The mean difference of 1.941 is Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic
not significant (p>.05).
Anxiety Mean S.D. Description
Test 11.52 5.849 Moderate
Table 8 Retest 15.52 8.718 Severe
Mean difference = -4.00
Comparison of the Stress Mean Scores Between the Female t= -3.085
and Male Respondents Sig. (2-tailed) = .003
N = 50 (paired)
Stress Mean S.D. Description
Females (229) 13.56 8.496 As shown on Table 10, the mean score on anxiety of the
Males (78) 11.74 8.524 respondents during the initial test prior to pandemic is 11.52
Mean difference = 1.819 (S.D.= 5.849), and on the retest during the pandemic is 15.52
t= 1.632 (S.D.= 8.718) with a mean difference of -.4.00. There is
Sig. (2-tailed) = .104 significant mean difference at .003 (p<.05). The null
hypothesis is thus rejected. Also noted is the respondents’
As shown on Table 8, there is no significant difference in the level of anxiety before the pandemic which is moderate, and
mean scores of the females and males on stress scale (p>.05). during the pandemic as severe.
The female respondents’ mean score is 13.56 (S.D.= 8.496),
while that of the males is 11.74 (S.D.= 8.524), with a mean
difference of 1.819. Table 11

Comparison of the Stress Mean Scores of the Respondents

Comparison of the Mental Health Conditions of Respondents Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic
Before and During the Pandemic
Stress Mean S.D. Description
There are 50 respondents who have taken the
Females (229) 12.64 8.136 Normal
DASS21 test during the first semester of SY 2019-2020 and Males (78) 14.76 7.503 Normal
have retaken the test during the pandemic, on the first
Mean difference = -
semester of SY 2020-2021. Their test scores on depression, 2.120
anxiety, and stress were compared between the test and retest.
t= -1.827
Sig. (2-tailed) = .074
N = 50 (paired)
Table 9

Comparison of the Depression Mean Scores of the As gleaned on Table 11, the mean score on stress of the
Respondents Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic respondents during the initial test prior to the pandemic is
12.64 (S.D.= 8.136), and on the retest during the pandemic is
14.76 (S.D.= 7.503) with a mean difference of -.2.120. There
Depression Mean S.D. Description
is no significant mean difference at .074 (p>.05). Thus, the
Test 9.16 6.129 Mild
null hypothesis is accepted. The respondents’ level of stress
Retest 13.92 8.280 Moderate
before the pandemic is normal and remains normal during the
Mean difference = -4.76
pandemic.
t= 4.794
Sig. (2-tailed) = .000
N = 50 (paired)

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MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE RESEARCH JOURNAL
Mental Health Concerns of Respondents with Expressed Need
for Counseling
Among the 307 respondents, there are 68 or 22%
with expressed need for counseling. An examination of their
severe to extremely severe mental health issues based on the
DASS21 questionnaire was made.
Table 12
Mental Health Issues of Respondents with Expressed Need for
Counseling
of counseling. Ranked number 1 on the list of issues are “feels
like using a lot of nervous energy” under stress scale; and
“unable to become enthusiastic about anything” under
depression scale by 42 or 62% of the respondents. This is
followed by being “aware of the action of the heart in the
absence of physical exertion” under anxiety scale at rank 2
with 41 or 60% of the respondents. At rank 3 is “finds it
difficult to relax,” also under stress scale, which is a concern
of 38 or 56% of the respondents. Ranked last among the
mental health issues is “feels unworthy as a person,” under
depression scale, with 16 (13%) of the respondents. The ratio
between the number of respondents and frequency of the
issues is 1:9.5.

Mental Health Issue f %(n=68) Rank

Depression DISCUSSION

Couldn’t seem to experience any This chapter presents the interpretation of the results,
20 29.41 12 highlights of the findings, conclusions drawn, and
positive feeling at all
Finds it difficult to work up recommendations.
31 45.59 8
initiative to do things.
Feels there is nothing to look
22 32.35 11 Description of the Respondents
forward to.
Feels down-hearted and blue. 28 41.18 8
Unable to become enthusiastic Majority of the respondents are females and this
42 61.76 1 reflects the proportion of female and male enrollees in the
about anything.
Feels unworthy as a person. 16 23.53 13 college. The respondents are dominated by singles which is
Feels that life is meaningless. 36 52.94 4 expected since they are still students.
Anxiety
Aware of dryness of mouth. 28 41.18 8
Experiences breathing difficulty. 33 48.53 6 Mental Health Conditions of the Respondents
Experiences trembling 33 48.53 6
Worried about situations in The college students’ levels of depression, anxiety, and
which to panic and make a fool 33 48.53 6 stress reveal their mental health conditions during the
of self. COVID-19 pandemic. The students are found mostly able to
Feels being close to panic. 27 39.70 9 manage depression and stress since majority of them are
Aware of the action of the heart shown to have normal to mild levels of depression and stress.
in the absence of physical 41 60.29 2 Even then, the fact that there are still students who have
exertion. moderate to extremely severe levels of depression, based on
Feels scared without any good the DASS21, may not be ignored.
33 48.53 6 The findings reflect the prevailing picture of the mental health
reason.
Stress state of young people, students, or general population
globally.
Finds it hard to wind down. 35 51.47 5 Those with moderate to extremely severe levels of
Tends to over-react to situations. 22 32.35 5 depression comprise almost half of the respondents, while
Feels like using a lot of nervous those with moderate to extremely severe levels of stress are a
42 61.76 1 fourth of the respondents. This is still alarming and needs to
energy.
Finds self as getting agitated. 32 47.05 7 be addressed. In a study conducted at University of Valldolid
Finds it difficult to relax. in Spain, the same instrument, the DASS21 was used and the
38 55.88 3
findings showed that 21 to 34% of the respondents fall on the
Intolerant of anything that keeps moderate to extremely severe levels of depression and stress.
self from getting on with what 24 35.29 10 Consequently, they made a recommendation that crisis-
has been doing. oriented psychological services, as well as preventive
Feels rather touchy. 33 48.53 6 measures in future pandemic situations, and the mental health
Total (multiple responses) 649 of university students should be monitored carefully. In
Ratio= 1:9.5 another study conducted in Poland assessing university
students’ stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality, the
Table 12 shows the mental health issues of the 68 respondents findings showed that the students, especially the females,
who wanted to share their concerns, talk to someone, or avail scored high on depression, anxiety, and stress. It was also

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MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE RESEARCH JOURNAL
noted that young adult students aged 18-24 years, had more
manifesting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
This is the same age bracket of the student respondents in the
present study.
In China, a study was conducted with 217 students in a
medical college and the findings showed that 22.1% were in a
state of anxiety, and 35.5% were in a state of depression (Jia
Liu, et.al., 2020). Although it may seem that the mentally
affected are outnumbered by those who are mentally well, the
more glaring reality is that there are students who are indeed
mentally or psychologically affected. In the present study,
although those with severe state of depression and stress are
less in number than those with normal or mild condition, for
as long as there are students whose mental health are at risk,
this is still cause for appropriate action.
An even more serious concern is the result on the
anxiety level of the student respondents. Almost 70% or an
overwhelming majority have moderate to extremely severe
levels of anxiety. Although the DASS21 measure on anxiety
is not for diagnostic purposes, the students who turn out to be
having anxiety manifestations may already be considered at
risk. At this time of pandemic when the normal routines of the
young people have been disrupted, feelings of anxiety could
be a normal reaction. However, if the feeling of anxiety is
extreme, lasts for longer than six months, and interfering with
life, then it may be subject to a more formal assessment for
proper diagnosis.
Comparison of the Mental Health Conditions of Female and
Male Respondents
In a study conducted in Poland (Agata Debowska,
et.al., 2020) assessing university students’ stress, depression,
anxiety, and suicidality, it was found that female students
scored higher than male students on depression, anxiety, and
stress. In China, a study conducted by Jia Liu, et.al., (2020), it
was shown that there are no gender differences in the
prevalence of depression and anxiety among students in a
medical college in China during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The results of the present study are similar to the findings of
Jia Liu, et.al., (2020) where the females and males suffer from
depression and anxiety just the same, without significant
distinction.
Comparison of the Mental Health Conditions of Respondents
Before and During Pandemic
From among the student respondents, there were 50
who were able to take the DASS21 during the First Semester
of SY 2019-2020, that is, prior to the pandemic. Their mental
health conditions in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress as
measured by the DASS21 were compared before and during
the pandemic. It was revealed that the concerned students’
depression level significantly increased from mild to
moderate, and their anxiety level from moderate to severe. In
a study in Netherlands on international students’ depression
and stress levels in COVID-19 crisis, the results revealed that
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the lockdown experience on a student’s life is correlated to
high levels of anxiety. It is thus construed that the pandemic
has wrought considerable damage on the mental state of the
students, which is actually a reflection of the global scenario.
Students had been under quarantine in their homes during the
period of the COVID-19 outbreak, which lasted for months,
and the prolonged time of isolation and the associated
consequences might induce depression and anxiety among
students (Jia Liu, et. al., 2020).
Mental Health Issues of Students in Need of Counseling
From among the 307 respondents, there are 68 who
expressed their need to share their issues, talk to someone, or
avail of counseling. The mental health issues of these 68
students based on the DASS21 were identified and ranked.
The first three specific issues are “feeling that a lot of nervous
energy are used,” “heart action despite the absence of
physical exertion,” and “difficulty in relaxing.” These issues
fall under each of the three scales in the DASS21
administered- depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively.
Under the depression scale, the other issue which
turned out to be most suffered or felt by the prospective
counselees is the “feeling that life is meaningless.” This is an
issue of concern because one who does not find meaning in
life might not have direction, or worse, might consider giving
up.
Under the anxiety scale, the other prevalent issues are
panic, breathing difficulty, and trembling. These students
need further assessment for proper diagnosis as to the risk of
having anxiety disorder.
Under stress scale, the “feeling of being touchy” is another
issue of concern. This feeling may be rooted from the
student’s self-concept- which covers self-confidence, self-
esteem, and self-image. Each student is also shown to
manifest at least nine (9) of the 21 mental health issues, based
on the ratio of 1:9.5.
Meanwhile, the feeling of being unworthy as a person
is the least among the mental health issues bothering the
students. It may give some kind of relief that the students
generally still believe in themselves or maintain feelings of
self-worth despite their condition. Nonetheless, however few
are those students who feel “unworthy as a person,” still they
must be given proper attention and intervention.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of the study, the following
inferences are drawn:
The college students’ mental health conditions during
the COVID-19 pandemic have become an area of concern
based on their levels of depression and stress, and worse, their
severe level of anxiety.
There is indication that the level of depression and anxiety of
the college students is progressing.
MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE RESEARCH JOURNAL
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