Research Summary: Prevalence and associated factors of mental health concerns among basic education teachers during COVID-19 pandemic

A study conducted among 1,992 Filipino basic education teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of mental health concerns, including psychological distress, generalized anxiety, and major depression. The research addressed a gap in understanding the pandemic's impact on educators in a low-to-middle-income Southeast Asian setting.

Why it matters

The mental health of educators is a critical factor influencing educational continuity and quality, especially during crises. Understanding the prevalence and drivers of mental health concerns among teachers allows for the development of targeted support systems, ensuring the well-being of the workforce vital to national development and human capital formation.

Key insights

• Research on the mental health impact of COVID-19 on basic education teachers in low-to-middle-income Southeast Asian contexts is limited.
• The study focused on estimating the prevalence and identifying risk factors for mental health problems among Filipino basic education teachers during the pandemic.
• Mental health problems assessed included psychological distress, generalized anxiety, and major depression.
• A cross-sectional study design was utilized, involving 1,992 Filipino basic education teachers.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1850327