REFLECTIONS OF SOCIAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS DURING EMERGENCY STATE CAUSED BY THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC IN SERBIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18485/Keywords:
Reflection, reflective diaries, corona virus, adaptation, mental health, education, students, social workAbstract
The pandemic of the novel corona virus has led to changes in people’s daily lives and has produced feelings of insecurity and anxiety that can have negative consequences for students’ learning and psychological health. Upon switching to online teaching at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade, a pre-examination task of writing reflective diaries was introduced for students of social politics and social work on two subjects: Counseling and Sociotherapy and Social Work with Children and Youth. The aim of the task was to identify, but also recognize and raise awareness of reactions and experiences related to the pandemic and encourage introspection. The thematic analysis of 80 reflective diaries and selected topics were presented: attitude towards writing diaries, understanding the good aspects of the state of emergency, family relations, mood swings, attitude towards eating and food preparation, creating structure, developing creativity, anxiety, depression, anger and fear. The results indicate the importance of nurturing and preserving mental health for the well-being of people and the possible directions for improving the practice of educational institutions in crisis situations.
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