The Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 on Students.

The COVID-19 outbreak has been rapidly transmitted in late January 2020 and aroused
enormous attention globally. Infected patients may develop severe and even fatal
respiratory diseases (e.g., acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute
respiratory failure) ending up in intensive care. Apart from physical suffering, it is
not uncommon for confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 to suffer from great
psychological pressure and other health-related problems. The limited knowledge of the
COVID-19 and the overwhelming news may lead to anxiety and fear in the public. The public
at large may also experience boredom, disappointment, and irritability under the
isolation measures.

Depression and anxiety are common mental health problems experienced by university
students. Being in higher education is associated with many stressors and transitional
events, and students fall within the age range when common mental health problems are at
their developmental peak. Depression and anxiety can impair students' academic
performance and social functioning, cause significant burden at university, and
potentially affect their future career opportunities. The study includes 2 parts. Part A
is an online survey study with non-probabilistic convenience sampling and part B is focus
group interviews.

This study aims to explore the psychological impact of COVID-19 and coping methods in
higher education students.