Learned Helplessness of Young People during the COVID-19 Distance Learning: A Research Report

Abstract

Introduction: Learned helplessness is a condition that arises as a result of a person’s belief that they are unable to control events. Having no sense of control over unpleasant experiences, a person learns that there is no relationship between the actions they take and their results. This condition is accompanied by changes in behaviour. These include cognitive, motivational and emotional deficits.

Research Aim: The objectives of the study described in this article are to assess the learned helplessness of eighth grade primary school students in three examination subjects: Polish, mathematics and English, and to show the relationship between the gender of the respondents and the perceived level of helplessness.

Method: The study used the diagnostic survey method, and the research technique applied was a questionnaire. In order to measure the level of learned helplessness, the School Helplessness Scale (SBS) by Ciżkowicz (2009) was used. The survey was conducted between late March and early April of the 2020/21 school year. It covered 502 eighth grade primary school students learning remotely.

Results: The study shows that the highest average level of helplessness was recorded in mathematics, slightly lower in Polish, and lowest in English. Girls have a higher sense of helplessness than boys in mathematics and English. The motivational deficit makes the greatest contribution to the feeling of helplessness.

Conclusion: The results indicate the need to implement a number of activities in the areas of psychological and pedagogical support at school. It is important that this support covers not only students, but also teachers and parents. Students should receive pedagogical and psychological help in the area of emotional education and constructive thinking. Teachers and parents should understand the essence of the phenomenon, know its causes and be able to recognise the first symptoms of helplessness.