Assessing the Impact of Online Education on Mood and Feelings Physical Activity, Sleep, and Consequent Internet Addiction during COVID-19 on Adolescents in Delhi-NCR

Description

Page: 443-448

Poonam Phogat, Simarjeet Kaur Ajji, Sanya Verma, and Meenakshi Yadav (Department of Psychology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Delhi)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the education system went completely online, having many impacts on adolescents, some of which have been analyzed in this study (COVID-19, 2022). The present study aimed at assessing the impact of online education on mood and feelings, physical activity, sleep, and consequent internet addiction among 14 to 17 years old adolescents from Delhi-NCR during COVID-19. The sample consisted of 90 adolescents (68 females & 22 males), selected using purposive and convenient sampling. Tools comprised of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire Self-report Version (Angold & Costello, 1987); Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire (Spilsbury, Drotar, Rosen, & Redline, 2007); Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) (Kowalski, Crocker, & Donen, 2004); Internet Addiction Scale (Young, 1998) and three aspects namely social interaction, academic performance and learning capabilities were assessed by asking qualitative questions through the Google form circulated online. The t-test calculated for mood and feelings, physical activity, sleep, and internet addiction were not found to be significant between males and females. The Chi-square calculated for social interaction, academic performance, and learning capabilities was found to be significant, thus leading to decreased social interaction, academic performance, and decline in learning capabilities. Future implications on general health and career issues have been discussed. Further, it has suggestions for developing programs for children to enhance skills for social interaction, engaging children/adolescents in positive physical activity, and improvising their sleep schedule for a successful future.