THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Mehak Goel ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 28 May 2020 Final Accepted: 30 June 2020 Published: July 2020 This paper focuses primarily on the psychological effects due to social distancing. As the outbreak of COVID-19 ensues, questions are being raised for the safety and security of people suffering from various psychological issues like depression, anxiety, loneliness and so on. While such issues are being deliberated upon, we are urged to deliberate on how isolation can affect mental health in general, especially among younger people. The goal of this paper is to address the mental effects on adolescents who might be even more ill-equipped to deal with psychological issues. It also deals with career and workrelated issues that students have to worry about due to social distancing. The research methodology used in the paper includes questionnaires, surveys and literature review to understand the perspective of individuals. The paper shall also be open for further discussion on similar issues in the face of a global pandemic.

mother and an infant, and it may also play a role in recognition, sexual arousal, trust and anxiety." Some additional research has also shown that lower levels of oxytocin have resulted in higher levels of stress and anxiety.
The current scale of Social Distancing is unprecedented and may lead to significant and lasting negative psychological effects. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and a recent review of studies about quarantine during infectious disease outbreaks, social distancing can lead to a higher prevalence of: 1. Anxiety 2. Depression 3. Anger 4.
Feelings of frustration 6. Boredom At the same time, social distancing could carry some benefits for certain individuals, such as an increased sense of well-being from time spent with family or the ability to focus on self-care, and a greater sense of altruism as individuals learn to view social distancing as a way to protect others from illness and harm.

Methodology:-
In this research paper, I plan to understand and elucidate more on the psychological issues faced by people due to social distancing. I aim to focus on the problems that adolescents are facing during lockdown and to suggest some possible ways to improve the condition of people. For the following research I shall use a survey method with the help of a questionnaire designed specifically for the people between 13 to 20 years of age.
It is very important to understand the psychological and social effect on people due to social distancing as it influences the mental health of the youth of the world. The following phenomenon also has a direct and significant impact on the economy of the world.
With the following research, I hope to determine some possible ways to overcome the situation faced by every individual and also to verify the various psychological and mental issues that the people are experiencing nowadays. I also aim to make the following research open ended for other discussions due to ethical questions.
A survey in the form of a questionnaire is the best approach as it includes questions based on the secondary research conducted on topics of isolation and mental health. Additionally, the on-going COVID-19 pandemic is being dealt with in India with strict lockdown regulations. Hence, a questionnaire circulated online is our most viable option.
The following questionnaire also makes it easier for the respondents to answer the queries without being concerned much about any technicalities. The limitations of my discovery can be brought down to two factors: First, the pandemic prevented methods such as psychological testing and observation. We can only rely on the responses which may or may not result in accurate conclusions. Second, the sample of respondents, aged between 13-20, may be reluctant to share certain information or may treat the survey with varying levels of interest or sincerity.
Here is a sample copy of the questionnaire that was distributed among 35 respondents:

Result:-
The following pie-charts demonstrated the responses we received in each category or question of the survey. The 22nd question, which was of open-ended nature has been represented by summarizing the inputs of each respondent into four groups.

Discussion:-
With the help of the findings in the questionnaire, I am able to approach the solutions that many people have come up with to improve one's mental health by engaging in some recreational activities like participating in community work, getting more involved with hobbies, practising things that one is passionate about or learning a new skill.
I analysed that most of the people are in a stressful condition regarding their and their family's health and safety and are also extremely depressed and suffering from boredom during the lockdown. The adolescents are also anxious about their further studies and career due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
But there is also a silver lining to this stressful condition. Due to social distancing people may not be able to maintain a physical contact with each other but with many of the social networking sites people have maintained a close contact with their friends and the significant social distancing and lockdown has somewhat made people's bond with their friends and family stronger.

Conclusion:-
To conclude I must contextualize that people indeed are facing various psychological issues due to social distancing which is having a deteriorating effect on the mental health of the adolescents as they are feeling depressed, lonely, and exhausting with the stay at home condition.
Also, the findings in the result section indicate that most people have not experienced any positive effect due to lockdown. I think that it is imperative for the people to understand the effect of social distancing on their mental health and acknowledge it. It is also important for students not to be too anxious about their career and further studies as it will have a negative impact on their psychological and physical health. I feel that social distancing might help people discover some new things about themselves despite the dire consequences of the current pandemic.
In order to improve the following situation, it is crucial for students to engage in satisfying hobbies and also not to engross themselves only in studying. It is a relief that although people are bored, depressed and restless with staying at home they have a feeling of safety. Nonetheless, it is important that the anxiety among students regarding their health should not have a negative effect on their mental health. Henceforth, I would like my readers to address the issues discussed in the following paper and also suggest some creative and innovative ideas to enjoy the extra time that has been awarded during lockdown.