Increased ICT Use and Other Changes in Educational Settings and Their Impact on School Stress: A Mixed-Method Study

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Increased ICT Use and Other Changes in Educational Settings and Their Impact on School Stress: A Mixed-Method Study
Language: English
Authors: Carmen Paniagua (ORCID 0000-0002-8953-736X), Irene García-Moya (ORCID 0000-0002-5377-315X), Marta Díez (ORCID 0000-0001-5171-0668)
Source: Psychology in the Schools. 2026 63(5):980-994.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Secondary School Students, Stress Variables, Computer Uses in Education, COVID-19, Pandemics, Interpersonal Relationship, School Closing, Interaction, Student Attitudes
DOI: 10.1002/pits.70143
ISSN: 0033-3085
1520-6807
Abstract: Recently, students have faced major changes in the educational setting. For example, the lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point after which ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) became much more commonplace in our lives. Despite this, however, relatively little is known about the effects of this on school stress. Other activities, such as school trips and general coexistence in the classroom also disappeared as a result of the measures taken to combat the COVID-19. This study analyses how these changes impact school stress in secondary students using a mixed-method approach. The quantitative phase involved 4,768 secondary school students (47.9% boys, 52.1% girls) aged 11-17 years. They completed online surveys during the 2020-2021 school year. The qualitative phase followed during the next academic year, and consisted of focus groups that were conducted with students from purposively selected high-stress and low-stress participating schools. Results point to some relatively temporary stressors, like the use of facemasks and problems with content itself or the pace at which it was taught. In contrast, particularly those linked to the use of ICTs and constraints on social interaction may have left a stronger mark on the everyday lives of students at school.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501959
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Recently, students have faced major changes in the educational setting. For example, the lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point after which ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) became much more commonplace in our lives. Despite this, however, relatively little is known about the effects of this on school stress. Other activities, such as school trips and general coexistence in the classroom also disappeared as a result of the measures taken to combat the COVID-19. This study analyses how these changes impact school stress in secondary students using a mixed-method approach. The quantitative phase involved 4,768 secondary school students (47.9% boys, 52.1% girls) aged 11-17 years. They completed online surveys during the 2020-2021 school year. The qualitative phase followed during the next academic year, and consisted of focus groups that were conducted with students from purposively selected high-stress and low-stress participating schools. Results point to some relatively temporary stressors, like the use of facemasks and problems with content itself or the pace at which it was taught. In contrast, particularly those linked to the use of ICTs and constraints on social interaction may have left a stronger mark on the everyday lives of students at school.
ISSN:0033-3085
1520-6807
DOI:10.1002/pits.70143