Factors affecting online learning, stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia
International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
ISSN: 2056-4902
Article publication date: 10 June 2022
Issue publication date: 24 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated the factors affecting online learning (OL) and stress and anxiety (SaA) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a quantitative study and a survey questionnaire to collect the cross-sectional data. The authors sent 500 survey questionnaires to the respondents of which 262 samples were returned. This represented a 52% response rate. Finally, this study used 260 valid samples to derive this study’s findings.
Findings
Through structure equation modelling analysis, this study’s findings demonstrate that lack of time and support, technical problems and lack of technical skills negatively affect OL. In addition, this study’s findings show that cost and access to internet has a significant effect on OL. Finally, this study’s findings show that among Saudi Arabian university students OL is the significant predictor of SaA.
Practical implications
This study’s findings offer university authorities meaningful ways to identify replacements for the usage of harmful devices to lessen psychological problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. By pointing out students’ significant challenges and barriers during OL, this study’s findings support the smooth and parallel running of OL. Such challenges cause deprivation and frustration among the students. Therefore, to some extent, it may be a violation of their human rights. In this way, this study’s findings demonstrate how to overcome these violations.
Originality/value
By exploring the significant challenges faced by Saudi Arabian university students, this study’s findings offer an original and empirical contribution to the literature.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia (Project No. GRANT259).
Citation
Abdelwahed, N.A.A., Aldoghan, M.A., Moustafa, M.A. and Soomro, B.A. (2023), "Factors affecting online learning, stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 16 No. 5, pp. 437-453. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-03-2022-0012
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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