Online Education And Its Impact On Students’ Emotional Well-Being: The Mediating Role Of Social Interaction

In an era marked by virtual classrooms and digital learning platforms, the influence of online education on students’ emotional well-being emerges as a crucial discussion point. As students navigate screens rather than traditional classrooms, understanding the nuanced impact of this shift on their emotional health becomes paramount. This study aimed to examine how online education impacts students’ emotional well-being, considering social interaction as a mediating factor. A quantitative research design was employed, targeting students enrolled in online programs at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). A sample of 2,000 students was taken from four different faculties and programs through stratified random sampling. The data were collected using a self-developed tool with three scales and a total of 28 items. The data were analyzed through SPSS and AMOS. In the results, the study found a significant direct association between online education and students’ emotional well-being (β = 60.52%). In addition, the study also found a significant indirect association between online education and students’ emotional well-being through the mediating role of social interaction (β = 39.48%). In conclusion, students who were getting online education had concerns about their emotional well-being due to the long screen time. No social interaction due to online learning also significantly contributed to increasing issues about emotional well-being among students.