Unpacking Teachers' Mental Health: Unveiling the COVID-19 Impact on Intrusive Thoughts, Hyperarousal, and Avoidance

Abstract

Globally, the COVID-19 epidemic has had a substantial effect on mental health, with educators in areas plagued by violence, such as Marawi, Philippines, being especially vulnerable. This study looks at how COVID-19 affects intrusion, hyperarousal, and avoidance among Marawi Filipino teachers as indicators of mental health. This study aims to provide insights that can guide targeted mental health interventions by examining the effects of intrusion, hyperarousal, and avoidance during the COVID-19 epidemic on the mental health of Marawi teachers. A cross-sectional study design with 111 Marawi Filipino teachers as the sample size was used. Standardized questionnaires were used to gather information on intrusion, hyperarousal, avoidance, and mental health consequences. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) assessed mental health outcomes, while the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to quantify intrusion, hyperarousal, and avoidance. correlation analysis and other statistical tests were used to assess the predictive power of avoidance, hyperarousal, and intrusion on mental health. The findings showed that among Marawi Filipino teachers. intrusion, hyperarousal, and avoidance substantially predicted poor mental health outcomes. To be more precise, the intrusion was substantially linked to higher anxiety levels (β = 0.62, p < 0.01), hyperarousal with higher stress (β = 0.67, p < 0.01), and avoidance with higher symptoms of sadness (β = 0.56, p < 0.01). The results of this study demonstrate the significant effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of Marawi Filipino teachers, with the main predictors being avoidance, hyperarousal, and intrusion. The results imply that supporting the mental health of educators in conflict-affected communities both during and after the pandemic requires focused mental health treatments that address these issues. Prospective investigations have to concentrate on longitudinal studies to clarify these connections and provide guidance for the creation of all-encompassing mental health initiatives.