Abstract

The COVID 19 has caused multiple effects on the physical and mental health of the world s population. From the psychosocial perspective, this study proposes to understand the social representations about the COVID-19 pandemic of Chilean higher education students. The participants were a total of 92 Chilean higher education students. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire of social representations, which included the following stimulus words: (a) COVID-19, (b) quarantine, and (c) social distancing. The data were analyzed using natural semantic network analysis. The results showed that the thematic categories of the COVID-19 are mainly related to biological, emotional and value aspects. For quarantine and social distancing, thematic categories are related to emotional and value aspects. The results are discussed based on the understanding of the categories of thought that promote behavior in the context of a health emergency.