The Mental Health Status and Coping of Jamaicans during the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Authors

  • Paul Andrew Bourne Department of Institutional Research, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • Tiffania Anderson Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • Jessica Jones Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • Shedene Taylor Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • Kamara Williams Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • James Fallah Department of Dental Hygiene, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • Calvin Campbell Department of Mathematics and Engineering, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • Clifton Foster Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • Caroline McLean Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • Monique White Scholarship and Student Aid, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
  • Tabitha Muchee Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its public health protocols in Jamaica have caused a strain on the population's mental health.

Objective: This study seeks to: (1) examine the selected issues of COVID-19 among Jamaicans, (2) determine the level of coping of Jamaicans during COVID-19, and (3) evaluate the mental health status of Jamaicans during COVID -19.

Methods: Researchers collected data using a quantitative survey from Jamaicans through the means of a correlational study design. Google Forms served as the repository of the data collected from 503 Jamaicans across the island from all fourteen parishes. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 26.0) was used to conduct descriptive statistics- percentages, frequency, mean, standard deviation, confidence intervals, graphs, correlations, and regression method with factor analysis.

Results: Almost 92% of the sampled respondents have not tested for COVID-19, and 64% indicated that their close friends or family members have not been tested for the virus. Three in every 5 respondents indicated that they were worried about whether COVID-19 will end, and about the statement 'Feeling like I can't go on', 65% stated at least sometimes.

Conclusions: The current study has found that Jamaicans are coping well with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many other factors affect this, the research showed us that age and gender are strong factors to contemplate. It is therefore recommended further studies to be conducted in this area of interest to explore possible long-term effects of COVID-19 on coping and mental health status of Jamaicans.

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Published

2021-11-10

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2021): International Journal of Transformation in English & Education

Section

Articles