Impacts of COVID-19 and social isolation on academic staff and students at universities: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background “The impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the shutdown it triggered at universities across the world, led to a great degree of social isolation among university staff and students. The aim of this study was to identify the perceived consequences of this on staff and their work and on students and their studies at universities. Method The study used a variety of methods, which involved an on-line survey on the influences of social isolation using a non-probability sampling. More specifically, two techniques were used, namely a convenience sampling (i.e. involving members of the academic community, which are easy to reach by the study team), supported by a snow ball sampling (recruiting respondents among acquaintances of the participants). A total of 711 questionnaires from 41 countries were received. Descriptive statistics were deployed to analyse trends and to identify socio-demographic differences. Inferential statistics were used to assess significant differences among the geographical regions, work areas and other socio-demographic factors related to impacts of social isolation of university staff and students. Results The study reveals that 90% of the respondents have been affected by the shutdown and unable to perform normal work or studies at their institution for between 1 week to 2 months. While 70% of the respondents perceive negative impacts of COVID 19 on their work or studies, more than 60% of them value the additional time that they have had indoors with families and others. . Conclusions While the majority of the respondents agree that they suffered from the lack of social interaction and communication during the social distancing/isolation, there were significant differences in the reactions to the lockdowns between academic staff and students. There are also differences in the degree of influence of some of the problems, when compared across geographical regions. In addition to policy actions that may be deployed, further research on innovative methods of teaching and communication with students is needed in order to allow staff and students to better cope with social isolation in cases of new or recurring pandemics.

Psychological Health Conditions and COVID-19-Related Stressors Among University Students: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey

“…In particular, research conducted over the last year among university students has highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic-related experiences induced fears due to the contagion risk (Rodríguez-Hidalgo et al, 2020;Yang et al, 2021), perceived stress related to the condition of social isolation (Filho et al, 2021), as well as to the extensive changes in their daily routine, mainly with respect to the relational domain. Indeed, the pandemic has implied wide modifications in key aspects of students' customary lives, influencing (limiting/intensifying) all relationships both within the academic context (e.g., professors and colleagues) and within the private domain (e.g., friends, relatives, and partner; Zurlo et al, 2020).…”

Adopting a New Marking and Reporting System (MaRS) at Faculty Level: A Survey of Lecturers’ Level of Readiness and Acceptance

“…Consequently, the work performance of the RPs, faculty representatives, and lecturers could be improved. Furthermore, social isolation due to Covid-19 has impacted the mental health of not only students, but also lecturers, primarily because of workload pressure and stress (Filho et. al., 2021).…”

Impact of Academic Support on Anxiety and Depression of Chinese Graduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mediating Role of Academic Performance

“… 9 However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, academic support available from mentors and peers has been negatively impacted in varying degrees due to enforcement of measures such as studying from home and social distancing. 15 , 16 …”