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.