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EFFECTS OF COVID-19 1 The Effects
of COVID-19 and Mental Health Jared A. Cole University of North
Florida SOP3214C |
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Results |
 A two tailed equal variance t-test was obtained between the
depression scores of each group. The independent variable in this
case was the age of the individuals and the dependent variable was
the depression score. Based on these calculations there was not a
statistically significant difference between the age of an
individual and their mental health during the Corona Virus disease
pandemic. (t(48) = 0.79, p = > .05). See Table 4 below. Apparently, coronavirus affected age groups mostly the same. |
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Table 4 T-test Results of Depression Scores |
Graph 1: Depression
Scores
per Question |
.jpg) |
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| T4: Here the
data can be seen from the two tailed equal variance
t-test. Each participant's answers were summed
together and a mean was taken from each group. Group
1 being the older group of individuals and group 2
being younger. A t-test was then performed to assess
how similar or different the sample mean (Group 1)
was from the other (Group 2).
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G1:
This graph represents the depression scores for each
individual question. Scores closer to 60 indicate a
higher feeling of depression. |
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 Discussion
While the findings of this data were not statistically significant,
it is interesting to note that the scores for each question varied
considerably. However, when comparing means (Table 4), the older
group only scored a 0.92 score difference than the younger group.
While the proposition the researcher theorized was not met, it was
only slight. Interestingly enough, many individuals who were
selected for this investigation were found to not be in quarantine
and were likely considered essential workers at the time of viral
impact. This presents a whole new avenue of research that could be
considered in the ongoing studies involving COVID and its mutations.
Individuals who are not only coping with the stress of the pandemic
but are still actively working and interacting with the public. |
Conclusion
If the data gathered here is compared to the
data found in other articles, there are similarities. While the mean
depression scores in both groups were found to be different, it was
very minor. However more surveys should be administered that narrow
the gap between what it is due to a pandemic or personal issues.
Overall, the study did not confirm the proposition that individuals
who are over the age of 39 would be more depressed than people under
the age of 40. The researchers findings will hopefully be used to
facilitate further research into the relationships between mental
health and disease. Limitations for this experiment include the
sample size. The ratio of males versus females could also be
expanded as there were many more females than males (see Table 1).
The study was conducted remotely and the likelihood of individuals
distrusting the survey, thinking it is spam or false due to the
nature of online interactions, was high. Another limitation was the
diversity among the participants, perhaps studies could employ more
techniques to get a broader diversity of individuals in order to
generalize findings. The researcher also had difficulty getting
older individuals to take the survey, as younger individuals were
more open to taking it. The reasons for this are unknown, possibly
due to the mistrust. In reference to previous literature that was
reviewed here in this report, it would be interesting to measure if
focusing on keeping a positive mental image assisted some of these
individuals in not feeling depressed or lonely in isolation. Shamblaw, Rumas, & Best (2021) stated that reframing negative
qualities of the quarantine into a positive light would improve
overall mental wellbeing. This may be another factor to be aware of
as scientists learn more about how mental health is associated with
disease. |
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References |
| Shamblaw A. L., Rumas R. L., & Best M.W. (2021).
Coping during the COVID-19 pandemic: Relations with mental
health and quality of life. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie
canadienne, 1(1), 2-3, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cap0000263
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| Syed M., Ali S., Danish M., Muhammad F. H. Q., Z. A.,
Sameeha A. (2020). Prevalence, psycholoogical responses and
associated correlates of depression, Anziety and Stress in
global population, during the coronavirus disease (Covid 19)
pandemic. Community Mental Health Journal, 57, 101-110,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00728-y |
| pandemic. Community Mental
Health Journal, 57, 101-110,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00728-y |
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