scholarly journals Perceived Stress of Cypriot College Students During COVID-19

Author(s):  
Maria Panteli ◽  
Potheini Vaiouli ◽  
Chrysanthi Leonidou ◽  
Georgia Panayiotou

Abstract. Background: Increased perceived stress is associated with physical and mental health problems. However, little is known about the social factors that influenced perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we examined the relationship between social skills, perceived support from family and friends, and perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, through a two-wave design. Methods: A group of 106 college students completed measures of social skills during the prepandemic period as well as of perceived social support and perceived stress 1 month into the implementation of the first lockdown in Cyprus. Results: Preexisting social skills and concurrent family support the predicted negatively perceived stress during the lockdown. Although several aspects of social skills were correlated negatively with perceived stress, only the ability to manage interpersonal conflicts and to effectively resolve disagreements negatively predicted perceived stress, suggesting that this skill may constitute a protective factor against perceived stress during stressful events. Perceived support during the pandemic, on the other hand, was not overall significantly predicted by one’s social skills. Conclusions: Our study provides preliminary evidence about the relationship between interpersonal skills and perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions targeting the development of conflict resolution skills seem to be promising in ameliorating the psychological stress associated with the pandemic.

Author(s):  
Fen Dou ◽  
Qiaoling Li ◽  
Xiaoan Li ◽  
Qianfeng Li ◽  
Minghui Wang

AbstractFear of Missing Out (FoMO) is a pervasive phenomenon among college students that may negatively affect the physical and mental health of individuals. Perceived social support, as one of the effective protective factors, can mitigate the harmful effects of FoMO, but few studies to date have examined the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship. The present study conducted an investigation involving 806 college students in China and used scales measuring perceived social support, basic psychological needs, perceived stress and FoMO to explore the relationship between perceived social support and FoMO. Findings indicated that 1) perceived social support was negatively associated with college students’ FoMO; 2) basic psychological needs partially mediated the relationship between perceived social support and FoMO; 3) the mediating role of basic psychological needs is moderated by perceived stress. Further, the study provides some theoretical and practical implications for the prevention of FoMO.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-109
Author(s):  
Beatrice Lee ◽  
Cahit Kaya ◽  
Xiangli Chen ◽  
Jia-Rung Wu ◽  
Kanako Iwanaga ◽  
...  

Abstract. The transition from high school to college can be very stressful for Turkish students because they may experience value conflicts and adjustment issues, which can trigger the development of mental health problems. Character strengths can serve as a buffer against psychopathology. The aim of the study was to examine perceived stress and negative attributional style as mediating factors between character strengths and depression among Turkish college students. Bootstrap testing approach was implemented to compute direct and indirect effects and total effect in the mediation analysis. Altogether 235 students from two Turkish universities participated in the study. The results showed that character strengths were associated with lower levels of depression and it was negatively associated with perceived stress and negative attributional style. The results also indicated that perceived stress and negative attribution style completely mediated the relationship between character strengths and depression among Turkish college students. These findings suggested the need to develop empirically supported interventions that can promote character strengths toward reducing stress, negative attributions, and depression in this population.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1457-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma P. Geslani ◽  
Claude J. Gaebelein

We conducted an online survey to assess stress levels, stressors, coping strategies, and mental distress among first year professional Doctor of Pharmacy students at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. We used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) to measure perceived stress and the Health-related Quality of Life Scale (HRQOL-14) to assess physical and mental health. Self-reported stress levels among our respondents were elevated, significantly higher than among other populations as reported in previous studies, and exceeded the threshold benchmarked as being unhealthy. Mental health scores were negatively correlated with stress levels, exceeded the threshold for frequent mental distress, and were significantly higher than in comparison groups as reported in previous studies. Examinations were ranked the most stressful events and spending time with family ranked as the most effective stress reliever. Further specific investigation is needed to identify probable contributors to distress and to solicit recommendations to help students alleviate their stress and strengthen their mental health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Weisburd ◽  
Clair White

In this article, we seek to identify whether the relationship between health disparities and crime occurs at a micro-geographic level. Do hot spot streets evidence much higher levels of mental and physical illness than streets with little crime? Are residents of crime hot spots more likely to have health problems that interfere with their normal daily activities? To answer these questions, we draw upon a large National Institutes of Health study of a sample of hot spots and non-hot spots in Baltimore, Maryland. This is the first study we know of to report on this relationship, and accordingly, we present unique descriptive data. Our findings show that both physical and mental health problems are much more likely to be found on hot spot streets than streets with little crime. This suggests that crime hot spots are not simply places with high levels of crime, but also places that evidence more general disadvantage. We argue that these findings have important policy implications for the targeting of health services and for developing proactive prevention programs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esme Fuller-Thomson

Objective 1) To examine the relationship between migraine status and complete mental health (CMH) among a nationally representative sample of Canadians; 2) To identify significant correlates of CMH among those with migraine. Methods Secondary analysis of the nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health (CCHS-MH) (N=21,108). Bivariate analyses and a series of logistic regression models were performed to identify the association between migraine status and CMH. Significant correlates of CMH were identified in the sample of those with migraine (N=2,186). Results Individuals without a history of migraine had 72% higher odds of being in CMH (OR=1.72; 95% CI=1.57, 1.89) when compared with those with a history of migraine. After accounting for physical health and mental health problems, the relationship between migraine status and CMH was reduced to non-significance, with both groups having an approximately equal likelihood of achieving CMH (OR=1.03; 05% CI=(0.92, 1.15). Among those with migraine, factors that were strongly associated with CMH were a lack of a history of depression, having a confidant, and having an income of $80,000 or more. Conclusion Clinicians and health care providers should also address co-occurring physical and mental health issues to support the overall well-being of migraineurs.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanyu Wang ◽  
Minne Chen ◽  
Tong Xin ◽  
Kun Tang

Abstract Pregnancy and parenthood have been associated with physical and mental health. Previous literature concerning the impacts of parity on mental health was inconsistent and lack epidemiolocal evidence. China, with growing mental health problems and changing fertility patterns, faces unique challenges. This study aims to examine the relationship between parity and the prevalence of major depression and insomnia among men and women in the Chinese population. Methods Baseline data from a Chinese population-based study of 512,891 adults (59.01% women) from 10 areas, aged 30-79 were analyzed. Number of children were based on self-report by the participants. Major depression (MD) was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Inventory. Insomnia symptoms were accessed by questionnaire comparable to that used in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between MD/Insomnia and number of children, after stratifications and adjustments. Results For women, each additional child was associated with a 9% decreased odds of MD (OR: 0.91, 95%CI: 0.88-0.96), with the associations significant for those who lived in urban areas (OR: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.70-0.83), or had a lower education (OR: 0.90, 95%CI: 0.85-0.94), or had lower household income (OR: 0.89, 95%CI: 0.85-0.94), or had ever used alcohol (OR: 0.89, 95%CI: 0.84-0.93). The association between per additional children and MD was not significant in men (OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 0.97-1.07) but a decreased odds of MD with per additional child was found in men who lived in urban areas (OR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.71-0.96). For women, each additional child was associated with a 4% decreased odds of insomnia (OR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.95-0.96). Each additional child was also associated with a 2% decreased odds of insomnia in men (OR: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.97-1.00). Conclusions MD and insomnia was associated with number of children, particularly in women and the association was mediated by socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Future mental health public health programs should address parity and sex differences when designing interventions.


10.2196/17165 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e17165
Author(s):  
Bradley Kerr ◽  
Jon D D'Angelo ◽  
Ali Diaz-Caballero ◽  
Megan A Moreno

Background Problematic internet use (PIU) is associated with mental health concerns such as depression and affects more than 12% of young adults. Few studies have explored potential influences of parent–college student digital communication on college students’ risk of PIU. Objective This study sought to understand the relationship between parent–college student digital communication frequency via phone calls, text messages, and Facebook contacts and PIU among college students. Methods Incoming first-year students were randomly selected from registrar lists of a midwestern and northwestern university for a 5-year longitudinal study. Data from interviews conducted in summer 2014 were used. Measures included participants’ daily Facebook visits, communication frequency with parents via phone call and text message, and 3 variables related to Facebook connection status and communication: (1) parent–college student Facebook friendship status, (2) college student blocking personal Facebook content from parent, and (3) Facebook communication frequency. PIU risk was assessed using the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale. Analysis included participants who reported visiting Facebook at least once per day. Multiple linear regression was used, followed by a post hoc mediation with Hayes process macro to further investigate predictive relationships among significant variables. Results A total of 151 participants reported daily Facebook use and were included in analyses. Among these participants, 59.6% (90/151) were female, 62.3% (94/151) were from the midwestern university, and 78.8% (119/151) were white. Mean Facebook visits per day was 4.3 (SD 3.34). There was a collective significant effect between participant daily Facebook visits, college student–parent phone calls, texts, and all 3 Facebook connection variables (F6,144=2.60, P=.02, R2=.10). Phone calls, text messages, and Facebook contacts were not associated with PIU risk. However, two individual items were significant predictors for PIU: participant daily Facebook visits were positively associated with increased PIU risk (b=0.04, P=.006) and being friends with a parent on Facebook was negatively associated with PIU risk (b=–0.66, P=.008). Participant daily Facebook visits were not a significant mediator of the relationship between college student–parent Facebook friendship and PIU risk (b=–0.04; 95% CI –0.11 to 0.04). Conclusions This study did not find support for a relationship between parent–college student digital communication frequency and PIU among college students. Instead, results suggested Facebook friendship may be a protective factor. Future studies should examine how a parent-child Facebook friendship might protect against PIU among children at varying developmental stages.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-16
Author(s):  
Petr Vajda ◽  
Kateřina Strašilová ◽  
Lenka Svobodová

BACKGROUNDː The COVID-19 outbreak forced many states to introduce public health and social measures (PHSM), which may pose an obstacle to performing physical activity (PA).METHODS: This study investigated PA levels and their changes and perceived stress in a sample of 193 participants (aged 71.21 ± 4.87 years) engaged in exercise lessons prior to PSHM. Data were collected via an online survey distributed directly to the participants. The survey included two instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale.RESULTS: The results indicate that sports habits may be a protective factor in staying active and meting PA recommendations. Nevertheless, there were no associations between the number of exercise lessons in the pre-COVID-19 period and PA level or the perceived change in PA during PSHM. Ability to replace the cancelled exercise lesson with PA of similar duration and intensity was negatively associated with PA levels and its change. The PSS-10 score suggests that the sample did not experience a significant increase in perceived stress, but the relationship of this outcome to PA is unclear.CONCLUSIONS: The promotion of alternative PA that could be performed during PHSM and building long-term exercise habits in older adults should be considered. 


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