P0157 - COVID-19 Effects on Education and Mental Health within Adolescents

Background/Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic took effect on the US and the US schooling system in early March 2020. Over 290.5 million children and youths who normally attend pre-primary to upper-secondary classes have been displaced from their schools. Due to this, following along with the regularly scheduled curriculum has been taxing on many educators, thus students may not be directly learning about the topic of COVID-19 from a reliable source. In this era of ubiquitous information, students may have various sources they are getting their news in regards to COVID-19. The content knowledge of COVID-19 within the adolescent population as well as its effects on their mental health has yet to be studied. The purpose of this study is to assess where students are obtaining their knowledge of COVID-19, if online learning is effective in increasing comprehension of the pandemic, and the influence this event has had on their mental health.

Methods: Participants must be between 13- and 18-years-old and involved in online education. All materials are given to the students by their educators and de-identified. Participants will be asked to fill out the pre-survey assessing their knowledge of COVID-19 and from where they currently receive their information. They will then be given a researcher-written, evidence-based lecture by their educator regarding COVID-19 pathogenesis and public health measures. Following the lecture, they will complete the same survey to assess if the subjects improved accuracy in their knowledge from the presentation and if this medium is effective. The students will then be given a mental health survey based on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist - Y and Beck Depression Inventory - II to gauge the perceived effect of this pandemic on their wellbeing.

Expected

Results: The researchers are expecting that students will have a general knowledge regarding the virus from the media or conversations with family and friends. We are expecting an improvement in COVID-19 related knowledge between the pre- and post-survey results.
We expect the mental health survey to show a perceived change in mental health status due to the drastic shift in environment during a key time for development.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected students in many ways, ranging from their education to their mental health. Data in regards to their knowledge of this pandemic and their mental health status will allow pediatric professionals such as providers, therapists, and teachers to inform their interactions appropriately. It will also help professionals understand what structural changes need to be made if a similar situation arises in the future.