The present study investigated the (i) socio-demographic predictors of psychological distress, (ii) socio-demographic predictors of satisfaction from online classes, and (iii) the relationship between psychological distress and satisfaction from online classes among university students of Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire-based survey was conducted. A total of 2220 respondents that was enrolled at the University of the Punjab (PU), University of Management and Technology (UMT), and the University of Central Punjab (UCP) were involved in the current study. Data were collected at a 64% response rate and analyzed with SPSS IBM Version 21.0. Results revealed that approximately 41% of the students were facing severe psychological distress while about 65% were found unsatisfied with online classes. Besides, a linear negative relationship between the independent variable, i.e. psychological distress and the dependent variable, i.e. satisfaction from online classes was found. Therefore, to minimize the level of psychological distress and increase students' satisfaction with online classes it is highly recommended to take precautionary measures by the relevant stakeholders.
Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Panic; Psychological impact; Stress management; Students.
© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.