Online education and its impact on university students’ mental health in the West Bank and Gaza Strip: a cross-sectional study

Background: The educational performance stress during the pandemic outbreak has added to the many factors of pressure that students are exposed in Palestine. In addition to economic distress, mobility and access restrictions, lack of digital literacy and competence, and constant internet interruptions have added new burdens and significantly impacted university students' mental health. Objectives: This research examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of students in Palestinian universities. Methods: Using qualitative and quantitative methods, we identified the economic and political factors, access to educational portals, academic demands, and the general lack of interest in mental health-which has contributed to rising stress levels during the pandemic. We designed questions that allowed us to classify stress levels caused by these factors into low, medium, or high-risk categories. This study is intended to provide needed evidence on psychological stress caused by online education demands in low-income countries like Palestine. Findings: The study finds that students' mental health was seriously affected during the pandemic, with students showing signs of panic, anxiety, and aggressive behavior toward others. Socioeconomic factors, such as area of residence, financial demands, and access to education, represent the high-risk factors associated with rising stress levels among university students in Palestine. The study also shows that students resort to religion as a coping mechanism that enables them to overcome the detrimental effects of the virus on their health. Conclusion: The study concludes that it is important for professors to know how to recognize early signs of mental health issues, how to manage stress effectively, and where to seek support.