Analyzing the emotions of students' parents at higher education level throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: An empirical study based on demographic viewpoints

• Published in: 2021 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON) pp. 857 - 860
• Main Authors: Abbas, Asad, Hosseini, Samira, Escamilla, Jose, Pego, Luis
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 21.04.2021
• Subjects: Conferences; COVID-19; Data analysis; Distance learning; educational innovation; emotional intelligence; future of education; higher education; Pandemics; parents' emotions; Software; Uncertainty
• ISSN: 2165-9567
• DOI: 10.1109/EDUCON46332.2021.9454041

During the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, students and their parents have unsurprisingly experienced uncertainties as well as concerns regarding the students' sustained education and learning outcomes. Analyzing the emotions of students' parents at higher education level holds significant importance as emotional wellbeing of parents will have a direct impact on that of students throughout their remote learning process. In this study, we held a quantitative study and assessed data collected from students' parents who are currently enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. We applied an independent sample (Chi-square test of association) statistical technique by utilizing Jamovi software for the data analysis. Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the emotion of parents in a considerable manner. The change in the emotions was observed on a weekly basis. A wide majority of the parents were concerned and uncertain about the pandemic situation which resulted in being worried about their children's studies and educational outcomes. The institutional surveys that take a detailed look into the emotional wellbeing of parents lead to possible reforms in educational policies which, in turn, is a key playing factor is creating a positive and effective educational environment for the students.