Nunes, Luís CatelaFreitas, PedroIlhéu, Nádia Da Costa2024-10-252024-10-252024-01-172024-01http://hdl.handle.net/10362/174040The profound effects of COVID-19 on society demand a closer examination, particularly regarding its impact on disadvantaged demographics. This study delves into the consequences of school closures and the adoption of diverse class systems during the pandemic in students’ mental health. In the US, each state applied different policies regarding the share of virtual and hybrid classes and we are concerned about into what extent being exposed for longer periods to virtual/hybrid classes affects K-12 students’ mental health. Notably, increased exposure to virtual/hybrid classes correlates with heightened anxiety, with boys experiencing elevated anxiety levels in 2020 and 2022, while girls exhibited increased anxiety in 2021. High school students faced more anxiety symptoms in 2020 and 2022 compared to other school level.engMental healthCovid-19LockdownSchool closuresK-12 studentsmaster thesis203600380