COVID-19 and Its Impacts on the Society: A Focus on the Well-Being and Mental Health

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has created an unusual collection of issues

that go well beyond the virus's most obvious risks. It appeared at a time when worldwide social

worries about the mental health and well-being of individuals, particularly children and young

people, were already rising. Before the pandemic, school caregivers, and parents throughout the

world were contending with the growing levels of distress faced by kids, which were fueled by

academic demands, demanding standards from contemporaries generated by social media, as

well as worries about looks and popularity.

Researchers such as Aveyard (2018) have already identified elevated levels of stress

among young people, emphasizing the intense desire to achieve academically. At the same time,

as stated by Brooks, et al.( 2020), the ubiquitous effect of the internet was leading to increased

standards regarding appearance and social standing among the youth. Fear of disgrace and

humiliation drove this tendency, creating a difficult community for young individuals to traverse.

In addition, the already existing difficulties were exacerbated by disturbing proof of the harmful

health implications of bullying and harassment. Bullying has a profound impact on mental

health, according to the study of Al-Ghabban (2018) with higher levels of stress, signs of

depression, deprived feelings of worth, loneliness and social withdrawal, mental grievances, self-

harm thoughts, and even attempted suicides. As a result, the cultural background was marked by

a concerning convergence of circumstances that harmed the psychological well-being of the

children.

Against these circumstances, the COVID-19 epidemic added another dimension of

complication to an already difficult sociopolitical environment. The subsequent restrictions,

interruptions in learning, financial instability, and the constant danger of a new and possible fatal
virus have surely exacerbated the pre-existing pressures. This paper investigates the complex

relationship between the changing socioeconomic context, before the outbreak worries related to

young mental wellness, and the new problems provided by the worldwide health catastrophe. It

examines the pandemic's multidimensional effects on human well-being via a sociological

perspective, with a special emphasis on the mental health consequences for adolescents and

young people.

From a sociological viewpoint, the consequence of less direct social interaction stretches

past emotional suffering to include many types of loss. According to Holmes, et al. (2020),

people face not just the loss of regular social connections, but also the tremendous loss connected

with the passing of loved ones. Furthermore, this pandemic has resulted in losing learning

possibilities, occupations, leisure time liberties, and supportive social connections. These

setbacks are noteworthy from a sociological standpoint because they break established social

conventions and lead to an atmosphere of alienation and turmoil in society. For example,

economic restrictions designed to combat the proliferation of the virus disproportionately impact

migrant communities, especially those who are employed in informal sectors with unprotected

and substandard conditions of employment. Many migrant laborers were left jobless when

commerce came to a halt during lockdowns. The absence of a strong economic and social safety

net left them without the required support resources to deal with the financial consequences of

the epidemic. According to Otieno & Nkenyereye (2021), limited monetary resources and

restricted availability of treatment or health coverage are important hurdles for migrants, making

it difficult for them to take necessary COVID-19 measures or receive crucial medical treatment if

sick.
 Aside from that, during the pandemic, researchers meticulously investigated the state of

social relationships, giving insight into how these relationships impact the well-being and mental

health of young adults. A heightened sense of closeness during the pandemic was found as a

critical element associated with greater life satisfaction in a study of individuals predominantly

from the United States and the United Kingdom. Increases in loneliness, on the other hand, were

connected with a decrease in life satisfaction, highlighting the substantial importance of social

ties on individuals' overall well-being Bareket‐Bojmel, Shahar, Abu‐Kaf, & Margalit, (2021).

Furthermore, a study including 1,059 people in the United States, performed in April and May

2020 for adults who live in the community and March and April 2020 for learners, revealed the

importance of positive resonance. During the epidemic, this idea, described as shared emotions

of optimism and care for each other, was critical in explaining the association between resilience

characteristics and improved mental health. The findings highlight how beneficial social

contacts, especially in the virtual world, contribute to young people's psychological durability

and mental well-being (Aknin, et al., 2022). The significance of interaction is emphasized

further by research suggesting that higher degrees of connection, or unity, during COVID-19, are

correlated with better levels of wellness among people. This view is consistent with the wider

sociological concept that social links and interactions are essential to the fabric of society as a

whole.

According to Pew Research Center results, the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on

Americans' daily lives displays a complex combination of difficulties and possibilities. Almost a

third of Americans (32%) stated that the epidemic has limited their activities or impacted their

use of spare time. These replies frequently focused on the limitations of being confined to one's

house and being unable to travel, with an especially high incidence among older persons. In
contrast, over a quarter of Americans (26%) took advantage of the outbreak to discuss positive

improvements in their daily lives (Pew Research Center, 2021). Many respondents mentioned a

slower pace of life, the development of new interests, more time for household duties, and the

ability to relax in ways that were not feasible before the epidemic. This dichotomy in reactions

highlights individuals' diverse and nuanced experiences as they negotiate the pandemic's

obstacles and unanticipated rewards.

These findings highlight the need for sociological investigation in comprehending how

people adapt to and deal with the pandemic's repercussions for society. The disparities in effect

across generations, as well as the development of both problems and beneficial shifts in everyday

life, underscore the significance of a broad sociological viewpoint to comprehend the varied

character of the continuing societal upheavals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The varying

influence on different age groups gives information on how societal norms and institutions

connect with people's lives. The difficulties that older persons confront, especially when it comes

to the areas of solitude and disturbed habits, highlight the complex link between age, health

issues, and society's reactions to a worldwide catastrophe. Meanwhile, positive alterations

recorded by a considerable section of the population demonstrate people's flexibility in the face

of hardship, illustrating the changing dynamics of societal norms as well as individual

encounters. This indicates that the sociological awareness fostered by the investigation of

COVID-19's effects gives a complete grasp of the numerous ways in which society influences

and is influenced by what people experience. This understanding is critical for informed

legislation, social measures, and support group networks that can promote resilience and

psychological well-being in the face of unexpected adversity. As we deal with the ongoing

repercussions of the pandemic, this sociological approach can help us develop a more
understanding, equitable, and adaptive community that emphasizes its people's mental well-being

and health.
 References

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