Students views on the issues of lockdown and degree of concern in the context of the covid-19 pandemic

 

Vasileios Papavasileiou­^1*, Yota Xanthacou², Eleni Nikolaou³, Agapitos Xanthis⁴, Nikos Andreadakis⁵, Maria Kaila⁶

¹Assoc. Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, vpapavasileiou@rhodes.aegean.gr

²Prof. Em. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, xanthakou@rhodes.aegean.gr

³Assist. Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, enikolaou@rhodes.aegean.gr

⁴Post-doc Researcher, University of the Aegean, Greece, a.xanthis@rhodes.aegean.gr

⁵Prof. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, nandread@rhodes.aegean.gr

⁶Prof.Em. Dr., University of the Aegean, Greece, kaila@rhodes.aegean.gr

*Corresponding Author

Abstract

The present study, which is part of a broader research, explores students' views on lockdown issues and their degree of concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. An electronic questionnaire was used for the implementation of the research as a means of data collection, due to the period of the research in the midst of a pandemic. The research was conducted in Greece, in Rhodes, during the period between January and March, 2021. The reference population of the research was the approximately 200 first year students of the Department of Preschool Education and Educational Planning of the University of the Aegean in Greece. 142 female students of them completed the questionnaire.

The results of the research indicate differences in the views of students between those who exhibit a high degree of concern about Covid -19 and those with a low degree of concern. Regarding the way they are informed, it seems that internet, television, family and friends are preferred by both groups. Students with a low level of concern about Covid-19 seem to be more indifferent than students with a high level of concern who seem to be more afraid, to comply more with the suggested precautions and state that they have "unfolded" some talent during the lockdown period. In general, they are supported by family and their circle of friends, they demonstrate some empathy, they seek security by challenging the general climate of ideology or government services that are malfunctioning. Obviously, the issue of Covid-19, lockdown and digital communication is worth exploring further in relation to the Greek data and the new generation.

Keywords: Covid-19, lockdown, students, degree of concern