感染症拡大下における臨時休校が中学生のストレスにおよぼす影響とストレス反応表出プロセスに関する記述的検討

[Purpose] The objectives of this study were: 1) to examine the changes in stress response and their magnitude, 2) to explore the stressors that affected the stress responses, and 3) to describe the process from the experiencing the stressors to the expression of stress responses, during school closures to reveal the risk and protective factors in stress among adolescents.
[Methods] In Study 1, 221 junior high school students were asked to answer a questionnaire about the difference in their stress responses between normal times and school closures, and about the stressors they experienced during school closures. In Study 2, using the interview data of eight junior high school students, we extracted the process from the experience of stressors to the expression of stress responses during school closures.
[Results] Study 1 showed that the stress responses were significantly higher during school closures than normal times, and had a particularly strong effect on depression, anxiety, and helplessness. In addition, 19 categories of the stressors experienced during school closures were extracted, which were classified into five aspects: activity, interactions, family, infection, and studying. Study 2 showed that various kinds of coping were tried for the "coping restriction," "activity restriction,” and "interaction restriction" stressors associated with the spread of infection. When they did not function sufficiently, "decreased activity" and "disruption of daily life rhythm" occurred, leading to the appearance of "stress symptoms."
[Discussion] The results suggest that the school closures, under the spread of infection, affected the increase of stress responses among adolescents, and the factors and processes involved were presented. As a protective factor for mental health, it was suggested, that the use of "active coping" and "interactional coping" could reduce "decreased activity;" specific support methods were also discussed.