The effect of virtual mode deep breathing intervention on anxiety among primary school children during COVID-19 pandemic
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Date
2021-09
Authors
Shafawi, Nur Syafiqah Syahrain Mohd
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
CODID-19 pandemic that hits the world in 2019 impacts people in various aspects of
life including the psychological aspect. It has induced anxiousness among people due
to the uncertainty and fear of the pandemic and it is not exclusive towards adults only.
Concurrently, a national survey suggested the prevalence of anxiety among children in
Malaysia is alarming. Due to that, the current study was conducted to investigate the
effect of deep breathing on the level of anxiety among primary school children via
virtual-based intervention as well as to examine its feasibility. A pre-test, post-test
randomised controlled design was carried out wit 28 students at a primary school in
Kelantan. The students in the intervention group participated in a four-week deep
breathing intervention with weekly meetings with the researcher, whereas the
participants in the control group did not receive any intervention. A repeated-measures
ANOVA was conducted and showed no significant difference between the
intervention and control group after four-week of intervention. However, a paired
sample t-test indicated a significant difference in the level of state anxiety within the
participants in the intervention group and no significant difference for the control
group. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the level of trait anxiety for
both groups. Despite the primary findings showed no significant result, there was a
trend of declination for both state and trait anxiety, particularly for state anxiety. Thus,
it could be suggested that the deep breathing exercise could help in reducing the level
of anxiety and it is simple, quick, and easy to be learned as well as applied by the
children via virtual mode.
Description
Keywords
Anxiety disorders