Changes in Japanese Junior High School Students' Sense of Coherence Before and After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study of Children and Mothers

Abstract

We conducted a longitudinal study to clarify the changes in the sense of coherence (SOC); that is, the ability to cope with stress successfully, of 166 Japanese junior high school students and their mothers before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we analyzed changes in SOC at three time points for all students and divided them into two groups: Group 1 included students with SOC scores that increased or maintained before and after the onset of the pandemic and Group 2 included students with decreased SOC scores after the onset of the pandemic. Second, we conducted a comparative analysis between the two groups. Overall, results indicated that student's SOC scores increased. Additionally, interpersonal stress scores were lower after the onset of the pandemic than before. There were almost no differences in family relationships, financial conditions, or personality tendencies between the two groups. However, Group 2 did not regain their sense of belonging to school. In this group, the frequency of stress experiences in club activities after the onset of the pandemic, troubles with the opposite gender, and inability to catch up with the contents of the subject lecture were high. The accumulation of small stressors may have hindered the maintenance of a sense of school affiliation. Mothers of students in Group 2 either were full-time employees at baseline or had started a new job after the onset of the pandemic. Their children may have been affected by the household's damaged financial budget and changes in mother's working styles. As COVID-19 reduced the number of days students went to school, students' SOC could have reduced had they not felt a sense of presence or belonging due to the lack of participation in club activities, school events, etc. Teachers and mothers should communicate carefully with their students and children, respectively, to develop a sense of belonging.

Transitions in sense of coherence among middle-aged women raising adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Next, based on previous studies (Omiya et al, 2021), we divided the mothers into two groups. Mothers were classified based on their Where the number of people did not match the total, it was a missing value.…”

“…In a previous study ( Omiya et al, 2021 ), we analysed the data from the child’s perspective. Conversely, in the current study, the data are analysed mainly from the parent’s perspective.…”

“…Next, based on previous studies ( Omiya et al, 2021 ), we divided the mothers into two groups. Mothers were classified based on their total SOC score at T2 minus their total SOC score at T1 (T2-T1).…”

“…Regarding the impact of the pandemic on children, a study examined how the “zest for life” of junior high school students attending a public school changed before and during the pandemic. Omiya et al (2021) used sense of coherence (SOC) as an indicator of “zest for life” and conducted longitudinal assessments with 150 students in two schools to examine changes before and during the pandemic. The results demonstrated that although the overall SOC increased after the pandemic occurred, approximately 40% of the students continued to have a low SOC and displayed a lack of vitality or other such negative outcomes.…”