The Impacts of Social Isolation in the Well-Being of the

University of Baguio – School of Nursing Students

A Research Paper Proposal presented to the Faculty of

School of Nursing in Partial Fulfilment in the Subject
Nursing Research 1 at the University of Baguio

Bawagan, Jaydison
Dela Cruz, April Joy
Manaog, Estephane Quencess
Pasigon, Joy Ann
BSN – NCB

October 06, 2020

 APPROVAL SHEET

This research paper, entitled “The impact of social isolation in the well-

being of the University of Baguio – School of Nursing Students,” presented by

Bawagan Jaydison, Dela Cruz April Joy, Manaog Queencess Estephane and

Pasigon Joy Ann in partial fulfillment of the requirements in the subject

NRSGRL1 was reviewed and recommended for acceptance and approval.

Maureen Sabalburo, RN

Clinical Instructor

Approved by:

Ms Helen D. Alalag

Dean-BSN

Mrs. Evangeline I. Soliba

Program Chair – BSN and HCS

Mr. Elton Delos Santos

Clinical Coordinator –BSN and HCS

ABSTRACT

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The writers would like to express their sincere thanks and deep appreciation
to the following people who in one way or another, have generously, knowingly or
unknowingly made invaluable contributions to the completion of this thesis.

Above all, to our Almighty Father for giving them the strength in surpassing
the tasks given, intelligence to fill the knowledge incapacity of the group,
motivation in doing the task and to pass on time, courage to face the little
challenges that the group faced and guidance to do what is right for their
research;

To the volunteers, for participating in the study for them to gain the needed
data to complete their research paper;

To their family, who always support, dreamed and prayed for their success
and served as their inspiration in their studies;

To Mrs. Maureen Sabalburo, Mrs. Evangeline Soliba and Sir Elton John
Delos Santos, their clinical instructors, willing to take their time to read this
article, their substantive and positive feedback, professional guidance, advice,
encouragement and supervision, which have made the authors more committed
and dedicated to making this research study even better.

The researchers express their warm love and thanks to each participant for
their efforts, time and sacrifices to complete this study.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Approval Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM

Background of the study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Conceptual Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Statement of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Hypotheses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Definition of Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Significance of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

CHAPTER II DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

Research Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Locale and Population of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Data Collection Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Data Collection Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Treatment of Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Chapter III Results and Discussion

Results
Summary

Chapter IV Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusion
Recommendation

Curriculum Vitae

References

Appendices
Appendix 1: Ethical Considerations
Appendix 2: Consent Form
Appendix 3: Qestionnaire

v
 CHAPTER I
The Problem
Background of the Study
Social isolation is a term often used interchangeably with loneliness, but
while the two are closely related, they do not necessarily mean the same thing.
You can be lonely in a crowd, but you will not be socially isolated. Social isolation
describes the absence of social contact and can lead to loneliness. It is a state of
being cut off from normal social networks, which can be triggered by factors such
as loss of mobility, unemployment, or health issues. Isolation can involve staying
at home for lengthy periods, having no access to services or community
involvement, and little or no communication with friends, family, and
acquaintances (No Isolation, 2017, April 18).

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020),

coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can affect adolescents directly and indirectly.
Beyond getting sick, many adolescents’ social, emotional and mental well-being
has been impacted by the pandemic. Trauma faced at this developmental stage
may have long-term consequences across their lifespan.

Physical or social distancing is one of the best tools we have to avoid

being exposed to the virus and to slow its spread. However, having to physically
distance from someone you love – like friends, boyfriend or girlfriend, family or
your worship community – can be hard. Adolescents may struggle when asked
to change their social routines – from choosing to skip in-person gatherings, to
consistently wear masks in public settings. It is important for adults to help
adolescents take personal responsibility to protect themselves and others, as
well as support them in safely taking time to connect with friends and family
remotely. School closures due to COVID-19 have meant that adolescents have
been participating in learning from home. Online platforms and communities have
become essential, as families turn to digital solutions more than ever to support
students’ learning. Unfortunately, the immediate need for virtual learning
environments brought to light inequity in resources, access and connectivity
across families and communities. Parents may have avoided seeking health care
for their adolescents due to stay-at-home orders and may continue to do so
because they are afraid of getting sick with COVID-19 (Social, Emotional, and
Mental Well-being of Adolescents during COVID-19, 2020)

The negative effects of physical distancing and social deprivation might be

particularly profound for adolescents. Adolescence represents a sensitive period
for social interaction. This global crisis has, however, struck at a time when many
adolescents are well positioned to mitigate some of these social shortfalls using
digital means of connection. Physical distancing can feel as if one is placing life
on hold. The truth is that the clock keeps ticking. Birthdays, graduations, proms,

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homecoming, vacation plans, births and funerals are just a sample of the many
significant life events that adolescents may have missed experiencing during
COVID-19. Social distancing, stay-at-home orders and limits to gatherings have
affected their ability to gather in person with friends and family to celebrate or
grieve in typical ways.

The world is facing unprecedented challenges in the face of a global

pandemic. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has, to date, killed thousands
worldwide (World Health Organization, WHO, 2020a). The data related to
numbers of tests administered, positive cases, hospitalizations, and deaths,
changes on an hourly basis. Mounting concerns regarding the strain on health
care systems globally are already occurring and likely to get significantly worse.
This health crisis impacts not only frontline staff and clinical leaders but all
systems and communities. COVID-19 has also already disrupted universities and
academic institutions. Within the health field, schools of nursing are bracing for
unique challenges related to our role in helping develop the next generation of
care providers.

Theoretical Framework

Causality is a genetic connection of phenomena through which one thing

(the cause) under certain conditions gives rise to, causes something else (the
effect). The essence of causality is the generation and determination of one
phenomenon by another.

In this respect causality differs from various other kinds of connection, for
example, the simple temporal sequence of phenomena, of the regularities of
accompanying processes. For example, a pinprick causes pain. Brain damage
causes mental illness. Causality is an active relationship, a relationship which
brings to life some thing new, which turns possibility into actuality. A cause is an
active and primary thing in relation to the effect. But "after this" does not always
mean "because of this". It would be a parody of justice if we were to say that
where there is punishment there must have been a crime.

According to Goldstein (2008), causality is influenced by which one event,

process, or state (a cause) contributes to the production of another event,
process, or state (an effect) where the cause is partly responsible for the effect,
and the effects are partly dependent on the cause.

The connection between cause and effect takes place in time. This
temporary relation may be defined in various ways. Some people believe that
cause always precedes effect, that there is a certain interval between the time
when the cause begins to act (for example, the interaction of two systems) and
the time the effect appears. For a certain time cause and effect coexist, then the

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cause dies out and the consequence ultimately becomes the cause of something
else.

Social isolation has negative impacts on the health of each individual such
as depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated
cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity regardless
of their age (Hawkey and Capitanio, 2015). Furthermore, according to the
Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, recent studies found out that it can
increased smoking, obesity and physical inactivity that may increase the risk for
premature death (Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, 2020). In addition,
social isolation restricts people movement and space especially teenagers.
Individuals in this stage are working toward autonomy and independence, and
not being able to make choices on your own, bond with your friends and go
where you want to go can cause frustration and anger that affects emotional
health which may lead to rebellion against social- distancing protocols (Monroe,
2020).

Several fundamental assumptions link probability distributions to causal

relations and serve as the basis of the theory of causal inference. The Causal

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 Markov assumption states that each variable isindependent of its non-
effects conditional on its direct causes. The Causal Faithfulness assumption
states that the only conditional independencies that hold in a population are
those entailed by the causal Markov assumption. The validity of these
assumptions has come under intense philosophical scrutiny. Spirtes has
explored to what extent the Causal MarkovAssumption is invariant under
transformation of variables. Spirtes and former student Zhang have explored
several variants of the Causal Faithfulness assumption that both weaken it in
some respects and strengthen it in other respects. This work has yielded
practical implications for improving causal inference algorithms. Spirtes and
Zhang have also investigated what inferences can be made when the Causal
Faithfulness Assumption is replaced with the much weaker Causal Minimality
Assumption (i.e. the population distribution does not fit a subgraph of the true
causal graph.)

Unmeasured (latent) common causes are one of the main obstacles to

reliable causal inference. Spirtes, in collaboration with Claassen is exploring
significantly speeding up the existing FCI algorithm. Spirtes, in collaboration with
G. Cooper is developing combined constraint-based/Bayesian algorithms that
searches for causal models that is correct even with unmeasured variables.
Glymour has worked with an undergraduate, Alexander Murray-Watters, now a
Master’s student, and Richard Scheines on developing procedures for identifying
unobserved causes that operate on causal pathways between observed
variables. This work is about to be applied to empirical data on cell signaling
mechanisms.

In order to illustrate the relevance of retraction minimization to practical

inquiry, Kelly and former Ph.D. student C. Mayo-Wilson have shown that any
particular causal arrow inferred by a point-wise consistent causal method can be
forced by nature to flip in orientation any number of times prior to convergence to
the true orientation. Still, the basic strategy of basing causal conclusions on the
outcomes of statistical tests is optimally retraction-efficient. Kelly and Mayo-
Wilson performed extensive simulation studies with our colleagues’ causal
search software to illustrate the mathematical results. They repeatedly
succeeded to were able to produce two successive orientation flips of a given
causal connection, in accordance with the underlying theory.

Spirtes and Tillman have explored the question of overlapping sets of

variables. That is, if one hasmultiple datasets that measure overlapping sets of
variables, what (if anything) can be learned about the causal structure underlying
all of the measured variables? The standard answers in statistics all require
strong assumptions. Spirtes and Tillman have improved algorithms devised by
Glymour, Danks and Tillman.

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 Theory of Causality Poor cardiovascular
Physical Impaired immunity
function
aspect

Obesity Personality disorders,

Mental aspect
Accelerated cognitive
Depression Delusions
decline

COVID- 19 Social Impaired executive Suicidal Personality disorders,

Isolation function, behavior

Emotional Loneliness Frustration

aspect
Anger
Spiritual aspect
Fear Anxiety

Social aspect

Rebellion

Career Uncertainty for

future ambitions

Uncertainty in
academics
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 In this model, it shows that COVID- 19, leads to social isolation due to the
preventive measures and health protocols by the government to control the
transmission of the virus. Social isolation can now impact an individual’s physical,
mental, emotional, spiritual, social health, and career which can lead to various
illnesses and feelings like depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive
function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function, frustration,
rebellion, anger, and others. The theory of causality is important for this study
because it allows us to determine the impacts of social isolation on the wellbeing
of the UB- BSN students.

Statement of the Problem

This study was conducted to determine the impacts of social isolation on the
well- being of the University of Baguio BSN Students.

The answers to the following questions shall be sought:

1. What are the effects of social isolation on the University of Baguio BSN
Students in terms of mental, physical, emotional, social, spiritual and
career?

1.1. Is there a significant difference on the effects of social isolation to

the University of Baguio BSN Students in terms of:
a. Gender
b. Year level
1.2. Is there a significant difference on the effects of social isolation to
the University of Baguio BSN Students in terms of:
a. Positive effects
b. Negative effects

2. What are the effects of that the University of Baguio BSN Students
encountered during this pandemic?

3. What are the approaches used by BSN students of the University of

Baguio to resolve the negative effects of social isolation?

3.1. Is there a significant difference on the approaches used by BSN

students of the University of Baguio to resolve the negative effects
of social isolation in terms of:

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 a. Gender
b. Year level

Hypothesis

1. There is no significant difference between the effects of social isolation on

the University of Baguio BSN Students in terms of mental, physical,
emotional, social, spiritual, and career to the positive and negative effects
of social isolation.
2. There is no significant difference between the effects of social isolation to
the University of Baguio BSN Students encountered during this pandemic
to the positive and negative effects of social isolation.

3. There is no significant difference between the methods used by the

University of Baguio BSN Students to overcome the negative effects of
social isolation on the stressors that the University of Baguio BSN
Students encountered during this pandemic.

Definition of Terms
The following terms were defined operationally as used in the study:
Pandemic. “An epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area,
crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of
people”.

Social Isolation. The absence of relationships with family or friends on an

individual level, and with society on a broader level.

Quarantine. A restraint upon the activities or communication of persons or the

transport of goods designed to prevent the spread of disease or pests.

Virus. The causative agent of an infectious disease.

Anxiety. Apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending

or anticipated ill : a state of being anxious.

Mental Health. A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and

emotional well-being.

Post-traumatic Stress. A disorder that develops in some people who have

experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

Depression. A mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and

loss of interest.

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 Autonomy. The ability to make your own decisions without being controlled by
anyone else.

Independence. The ability to live your life without being helped or influenced
by other people.

Holistic. Dealing with or treating the whole of something or someone and not
just a part.

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Significance of the Study
Socialization is one aspect of human development that can help improve
knowledge, skill, and behavior.

With the advent of COVID- 19, the results of this study would benefit
society since it will give a better understanding of the holistic well-being of the
students during this pandemic. It will give a better view of what they have
experienced and how do they cope up with the negativities. With all of these, we
can come up with possible effective ways of dealing with the negative impacts of
COVID- 19 to minimize the negative effects especially to the students of the
University of Baguio School of Nursing.

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 CHAPTER II
Design and Methodology
This chapter presents the research design, locale and population of the
study, data collection instrument, data collection procedure and the statistical
treatment of the data gathered.

Research Design
The research that was conducted is a quantitative research, methods
emphasize objective measurements and the statistical, mathematical, or
numerical analysis of data collected through digital questionnaires.
Descriptive deisgn was used. The researcher carries out a survey and
each item on the survey related to qualifications is subjected to a Yes/No answer.

Population and Locale of the Study

The study was conducted in the University Of Baguio School Of Nursing
wherein 25 respondents are students from 1st year to 4th year in each section.
The researchers used a simple random sampling method where the respondents
were able to engage in the study.

Sampling Criteria:

 Inclusion Criteria:
1) 1st – 4th year College Students.
2) Registered/currently enrolled in UB-SON.
3) Study was focused on Impacts of Social Isolation in the Well-Being
of the UB-SON Students.
4) Been experiencing social isolation who is nursing students.
 Exclusion Criteria:
1) Not college students.
2) Not a student/currently enrolled in UB-SON.
3) Study involved participants who were not UB-SON students.
 4) Study involved participants who are not experiencing social
isolation and not nursing students.
5) Have a known mental illness.

Data Collection Instrument

The instruments that were used in the study are the following:
A questionnaire was used by the researcher through digital forms to collect
information from the respondents. The draft questionnaire was drawn up on the
basis of the researcher's readings, previous studies, professional literature,
published and unpublished thesis relevant to the analysis. The respondents are
free to widraw in the said survey.

Data Collection Procedure

The first step before going to the testing proper is to make a request letter.
Upon approval, the researcher retrieves the request letter. The Dean, as well as
the advisers and other faculty members were selected in the administration.
In the administration of the questionnaire through google form, the
researcher used the time allocated to the vacancy to prevent distractions from
class discussions. The students were given enough time to answer the
questions. After data collection the researcher has now collected it to measure
the scores and apply the statistical treatment to be used in the study.

Treatment of Data
Responses from students of the University Of Baguio School Of Nursing,
explaining the effects of social isolation in mental, physical emotional, social,
spiritual and career terms on the positive and negative effects of social isolation,
the stressors they faced during this pandemic and the strategies used to address
the negative effects of social isolation, were presented.

Statistical Treatment for Data

The responses to the questionnaire by the students of the University Of
Baguio School Of Nursing were statistically analysed with the data requirements
of the study. Students were statistically analysed with the data instruments of the
study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, mean, percent, and rank
are considered.

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REFERENCES:

Aristotle on causality (Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy). (n.d.). Stanford

Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-causality/

Carnegie Mellon University. (n.d.). Theory of causation - Department of

philosophy - Dietrich college of humanities and social sciences - Carnegie Mellon
University. CMU - Carnegie Mellon
University. https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/philosophy/research/areas/science-
methodology/theory-of-causation.html

Causation and explanation in social science. (n.d.). Oxford Handbooks

Online. https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/97801996044
56.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780199604456-e-049

Home. (n.d.). Jundishapur Journal of Chronic Disease

Care. https://sites.kowsarpub.com/jjcdc/articles/104260.html

Investigation on the impacts of COVID-19 quarantine on society and

environment: Preventive measures and supportive technologies. (n.d.). 3
Biotech. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13205-020-02382-3

Isolation, N. (2017, April 18). What is social isolation? No

Isolation. https://www.noisolation.com/no/research/what-is-social-isolation/

Julianne Holt-lunstad probes loneliness, social connections. (n.d.).

https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/members/content/holt-lunstad-
loneliness-social-connections

Perceived social isolation, evolutionary fitness and health outcomes: A lifespan

approach. (2015, May
26). https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2014.0114

Perceived social isolation, evolutionary fitness and health outcomes: A lifespan

approach. (26, May). PubMed Central
(PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4410380/

A review of social isolation. (2012, September 5).

Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/769914_3

Social isolation in mental health: A conceptual and methodological review. (n.d.).

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric
Epidemiology. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-017-1446-1

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 APPENDIX: 1

Ethical Consideration
The 3rd year students of University of Baguio SON are conducting a study
entitled “Impact of Social isolation to the well-being of the UB SON students”.
Researchers introduce themselves; tell the instructions and the reason for they
are conducting that research to the respondents to make sure the respondents
would understood it and give their true answers or thoughts. Researchers choose
the UB SON students as their respondent with their consent agreed to keep their
identity for our own benefit. Respondents are given the right to choose whether
they want to answer or not. On the other hand if they doubt while answering the
given questionnaire and may step back, they may do so since this doesn’t
require any negative reactions or punishment that can be given to them.
Researchers must not do any move or things that would hurt the feelings of their
respondents. Doing the questionnaire to the respondents were given enough
time to response and for us researchers giving the questionnaires to the chosen
respondents which is the SON students with no any harm that can done unto
them. Questions are with due respect and from what researchers have seen and
read are being seen in the questionnaire. Answers and data would be protected
and can never see by others.

Bawagan, J., Dela Cruz, A.J., Manaog, Q.E., Pasigon, J.A. (2020)

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 APPENDIX: 2

Questionnaire about the Impacts of Social Isolation to the Well-being of the

University of Baguio School of Nursing Students
Name (Optional):______________ Year level: _____ Gender:_____ Age:____
1. Please check the appropriate column if you have any of the
following experiences during the period of social isolation due to the
pandemic:

A. Mental and Emotional Aspect

Yes Sometime No
s
1. Stress
2. Suicidal behaviour
3. Personality changes
4. Depression
5. Decrease in cognitive functions
6. Delusions
7. Loss of focus
8. Fear
9. Anxiety
10. Loneliness
Others:

B. Physical Aspect
Yes Sometimes No
1. Weight gain
2. Weight loss
3. More prone to sickness (fever, headache)
4. Physical inactivity
5. Unhealthy Diet
Others:

C. Social
Yes Sometimes No
1. Rebellion
2. Having inadequate basic supplies
3. Restricted access to food/Market
4. Developed communication skills across the
internet
5. Few accesses to transportation
Others:

D. Spiritual
Yes Sometimes No
1. Not Attending Mass
2. Feeling peace deep within me amid the
pandemic

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3. Feeling a lot of love in the world, considering
the pandemic
4. I try to be empathetic with others
5. I feel the love of God
Others:

E. Career
Yes Sometimes No Why?
1. Not enjoying current
career
2. Considering a
different career
3. Late passing of paper
work
4. Difficulty in following
some of the lectures
5. Insufficient practical
knowledge for the
skills laboratories
6. Having trouble
approaching
instructors
7. Lack of sufficient
material resources
Others:

1. What are the difficulties you encountered during this Pandemic?

a. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

b. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

c. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

2. How did you cope up with these difficulties?

a) _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

b) _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

c) _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

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 APPENDIX: 3
Consent Form

CERTIFICATE OF CONSENT
I was invited to take part in a study on the impact of social isolation in the
well-being of the University of Baguio – School of Nursing Students. I've read the
details or it's been read to me. I have been given the opportunity to ask
questions, and any questions I have asked have been answered to my
satisfaction that I freely agree to be a participant in this study by affixing my
signature above my name and writing the date on which I replied to this form.

PRINTED NAME AND SIGNATURE: _____________________________

DATE: ____________

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