INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Mental health is more than just a term for a person's

psychological and emotional well-being. Rather, it's a condition of

psychological and emotional well-being in which a person can use

their cognitive and emotional capacities to meet everyday

demands and perform social functions. According to the World

Health Organization (WHO), there is no single "official" definition of

mental health. Nowadays, a negative cycle of anxiety and

depression is persistent. Anxiety is a contributing component in the

general public's depression. Individuals react to the demands and

concerns of stress by engaging in harmful health habits. When

stressors occur, engaging in activities like drinking and smoking

might increase the risk of depression (Nonis et al., 1998; Cohen,

1996, Cohen & Herbert, 1996; Van Eck et al., 1996). As a result of

the apparent anxiety they feel throughout this chaotic period, this

cycle between anxiety and depression is particularly visible among

college students.
 The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the

overall educational system; it forced the closure of educational

institutions, which has harmed student mental health. COVID-19

required containment and enforced isolation due to its contagious

nature, which had a tremendous effect on teachers' and students'

interactions. Computer-based learning has emerged as the closest

substitute for off-line instruction in the absence of traditional

classroom teaching and one-to-one interaction. In light of this, it's

important to look into students' perceptions and readiness for the

online learning system that has been implemented at the university

level during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the

transition to a virtual environment has resulted in a painful increase

in mental health issues. According to Savitsky et al. (2020), even

in normal circumstances, psychological disorders are extremely

common among college students.

In a recent study titled Mental health of students in the

Philippines during the pandemic, it was stated that COVID-19

pandemic concerns had an impact on students' mental health.

Face-to-face sessions are canceled due to the worldwide

pandemic and the procedure established by the IATF (Interagency

Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) and the

government. Central Mindanao University is not exempted from

that. It's been a year since college students have had their classes

and returned demonstrations online.

As a result, the researcher would like to conduct a study to

determine and assess the outcome of the online class students'

implementation, particularly in terms of their overall mental health.

The researcher tries to determine the level of anxiety and

depression of the Junior Nursing student in Central Mindanao

University. This study will provide relevant information regarding

the student's mental health, which may be of great use in the

respondent's understanding of themselves. It also helps them to be

more aware of mental health and psychological health through the

recommendation of the researcher.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

This study aims to assess and determines the level of anxiety

and depression of Central Mindanao University nursing students

towards online classes. Specifically to answer the following

questions:

1. What are the sociodemographic characteristics of the

respondents in terms of:

● Gender

● Age

● Socioeconomic status/family monthly income

 ● Internet access

● Gadget use

2. Is there any significant relationship between the

sociodemographic profile and the following:

● Anxiety

● Depression

3. What is the anxiety scale of junior nursing students at

Central Mindanao University towards online classes?

4. What is the depression scale of junior nursing students at

Central Mindanao University towards online classes?

1.3 Objectives of the Study

Generally, the study aims to determine the anxiety and

depression scales of Central Mindanao University Nursing

Students towards online classes. Specifically, it aims to:

1. Assess the sociodemographic characteristics in terms of :

● Gender

● Age

● Socioeconomic status/family monthly income

● Internet access

● Gadget use

2. Determine the significant relationship between the

sociodemographic profile and the following:

● Depression scale

● Anxiety scale

3. Assess the depression scale of nursing students at Central

Mindanao University towards online classes

4. Assess anxiety scale of nursing students at Central

Mindanao University towards online classes

1.4 Theoretical Framework

 The nursing process outlined in Betty Neuman's System

Model coincides with our research study in which the Neuman

systems model is a nursing theory that is based on a person's

relationship to stress, their reaction to it, and dynamic

reconstitution factors. Betty Neuman, a community health nurse,

professor, and counselor, created the hypothesis. Energy

resources (normal temperature range, genetic structure, response

pattern, organ strength or weakness, ego structure, and knowns or

commonalities) are surrounded by various lines of resistance, the

normal line of defense, and the flexible line of defense, in the

model's central core.

Neuman defines environment as the total of all internal and

external forces that surround and interact with a person at any

particular time. Intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extrapersonal

stressors are examples of these pressures, which can influence a

person's natural line of defense and, as a result, the system's

stability. The environment is made up of three parts: the internal,

which exists within the client system; the external, which exists
outside the client system; and the generated, which is an

unintentionally formed and developed environment that symbolizes

system totality.

In summary, the client or individual is constantly in dynamic

exchange with the environment; yet, there is always a delicate line

between natural stress and a probable health deviation as a result

of continual stress. Furthermore, the idea proposed by Richard

Lazarus and Susan Folkman can be linked to Neuman's

statements, as our research focuses on how specific people deal

with stressful situations. Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) approach

emphasizes the psychological response to stress, which can lead

to anxiety and depression, and it aligns with Neuman's claims.

Where the person is distressed by the contemplation of the

amounts and sub quantities of a whole. When both parts and

subparts are in balance or harmony, a condition of health prevails.

Discord also has an impact on the healthy state and causes it to

be disrupted.
 To relate this to the study, the transition to online classes to

adapt to the so-called new normal has resulted in an increase in

anxiety and depression among university students. It has not only

physical and psychological consequences but also emotional

ones. The focus of Neuman's idea is on building a comprehensive

approach to health. Considering not just the physical but also the

mental and spiritual aspects. The pandemic's increased risk of

generating negative emotions had an impact on how university

students viewed themselves in the big picture.

1.5 Conceptual Framework

 Online Class

Junior Nursing Students of

Central Mindanao University

Anxiety Depression

Figure 1. schematic diagram illustrating the framework of the

study

Figure 1 shows the hypothesized connection between online

classes and negative emotional symptoms experienced by nursing

students at Central Mindanao University. The arrows indicate the

relationships between the variables that have been identified. It is

assumed that all negative emotions are unrelated to each other.

1.6 Hypothesis

There is no significant relationship between anxiety and

depression of Junior Nursing Students at Central Mindanao

University towards online classes.

1.7 Scope and Deliminations

The scope of the study is to measure the level of anxiety and

depression of junior nursing students from Central Mindanao

University during their online classes. The gathering of data is

through an online platform via Google form and will be distributed

through online platforms such as Messenger. The delimitation of

this study is that it only represents junior nursing students of

Central Mindanao University.

1.8 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be beneficial to both the school (Central

Mindanao University) and to the students as it describes the level

of anxiety and depression of the Nursing students towards online

classes and how it affects the performances of the students and

the competence of the school.

The researcher believed that this study would benefit the following:

Students - This study will provide knowledge on how to deal with

stress, anxiety, and depression during online classes to not only

nursing students but also to all students. This study will look at

how online classes generally affect students psychologically.

Clinical Instructors - This study will give them additional

knowledge on giving instructions and imparting the lessons to their

nursing students. This will also help them to provide an efficient

and effective approach to teaching to the students to lessen the

factors that affect the mental health of the junior nursing students.

College of Nursing - This study will help them to be aware of the

effects of online classes on their mental health, and to establish a

proper education system online to produce globally competitive

graduates in the college of nursing.

Future Researchers - This study will be used as a foundation for

future research, particularly concerning the mental health of

students dealing with the difficulties of using an online class as a

learning platform.
1.8 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

Anxiety - Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress.

However, there are different degrees of anxiety and when it

becomes extreme for a long period, there is a need for medical

attention

COVID-19 - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness

caused by a novel Coronavirus which was first had an outbreak of

respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China

Depression - Depression can affect a person’s body, mood, and

thoughts. It is a deep or extreme emotion that disrupts a person’s

usual daily living or activities

Mental Health - Mental health is associated with the cognitive,

behavioral, and emotional well-being of a person. It is about how a

person should think, feel, and behave.

Online Class/Virtual class - Online lessons or Virtual courses are

giving lessons and assessments to the students often through

video recordings or live lectures. In this case, the students can

complete their activities at their favorable time

Pandemic - An epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread

across a large region, for instance, multiple continents or

worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A

widespread endemic disease with a stable number of infected

individuals is not a pandemic.

Psychological disorders - Referred to as mental disorders, are

abnormalities of the mind that result in persistent behavior patterns

that can seriously affect your day-to-day function and life.