Role of COVID-19 on the Demand of Applied Psychology Fields: A Lifespan Study

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the infectious agent that causes coronavirus illness (COVID-19) (World Health Organization: WHO, 2020). India declared it to be a pandemic on March 25, 2020. The country-wide lockdown lasted for 55 days in an effort to stop the virus from spreading. Significant social, economic, and medical difficulties were brought on by the pandemic. Depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, sleep problems, posttraumatic stress symptoms, panic stigmatization, low self-esteem, and loss of self-control are some of the manifestations of the negative effects of physical isolation. These factors—longer hospital stays, stigma and discrimination surrounding the illness, and isolation following diagnosis—left the population more susceptible to psychological stress (COVID-19 Cases | WHO COVID-19 Dashboard, n.d.). Our main goal was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the demand for applied psychology fields by researching the mental health issues that affect children, adolescents, and adults, as well as by gathering the opinions of mental health and special education experts on these issues. The research methodology followed purposive sampling where the sample consisted of 2 participants from each age group and 2 special educators and mental health professionals making it a total of 10 research participants. The data was collected through Qualitative research methodology (semi-structured interview). The results highlight the increased importance and demand of Applied Psychology fields after the outbreak of COVID-19.