scholarly journals A Cross-country Investigation of Perceived Stress During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Situational Factors and Personality Traits

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngoc Minh Do

Abstract The study investigates the public mental health cross-national during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of data collected from people across different countries shows that people are experiencing moderate stress level and demonstrates that stress level is affected by internal genetic factor and external conditions. Specifically, perceived stress is affected by personality traits and contextual settings namely residence location, personal finance situation, and usage of social media during the pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngoc Do

The study investigates the relationship between personality and situational factors on perceived stress level during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of data collected from people across different territories confirms the association between personality traits and perceived stress level. Furthermore, the paper shows that people are experiencing moderate stress, which is affected by where they are residing, whether their personal finance is at risk, and their usage of social media during the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngoc Do ◽  

The study investigates the relationship between personality and situational factors on perceived stress level during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of data collected from people across different territories confirms the association between personality traits and perceived stress level. Furthermore, the paper shows that people are experiencing moderate stress, which is affected by where they are residing, whether their personal finance is at risk, and their usage of social media during the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Rahier ◽  
Victoria J Taylor ◽  
Teena KJB Gamage ◽  
Alastair Treacher ◽  
Simon J O’Carroll ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is mounting evidence suggesting a relationship between stress and adverse health outcomes. Stress is a multidimensional phenomenon requiring a multimodal approach. While there is some evidence indicating a positive effect of massage therapy, there is limited research regarding the impact of related approaches such as general osteopathic techniques (GOTs). Further, research examining the feasibility and effectiveness of combining GOTs with psychoeducation in the management of stress is lacking. The present pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of applying a therapy package consisting of GOTs and brief psychoeducation and its influence on moderate stress in a convenience sample.Methods: A pilot uncontrolled trial with mixed pragmatic and exploratory design was conducted. The therapy package comprised of ten GOTs and ten minutes of scripted psychoeducation (OsteoPeCT) was applied in two sessions over two consecutive days to 18 adult participants with moderate stress. Feedback from participants and challenges experienced by both participants and researchers were recorded. The effects of OsteoPeCT were assessed by measuring pre-and post- intervention scores of self-reported perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10, PSS-10; Profile of Mood Scale, POMS) and salivary levels of physiological stress biomarkers (cortisol; secretory immunoglobulin A, sIgA and interleukin-6, IL-6).Results: All aspects related to the application of OsteoPeCT (participant recruitment, participant retention, therapy application, administration of health screen and self-reported perceived stress questionnaires, and the collection of saliva samples for biomarker analysis) were feasible. A total of 18 participants were enrolled. The timing of sessions on consecutive days was reported to be challenging. While a measurable decrease in perceived stress (PSS-10) and in mood scores (Tense, Fatigue, Depression, Anger) were noted post therapy (OsteoPeCT) application, physiological stress markers were unaffected. Diurnal variations of these biomarkers may need further consideration.Conclusion: The application of OsteoPeCT was feasible, well received with some beneficial influence on perceived stress indicating that an integration of psychoeducation and osteopathic care may confer benefits to patients. Future investigations with adapted protocols and larger sample size is warranted to assess effectiveness.Trial registration: Retrospectively registered in Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (registration number ACTRN12620000763943 ) and ICTRP .


Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Bellingtier ◽  
Marcus Mund ◽  
Cornelia Wrzus

AbstractAlthough long postulated, it has been scarcely researched how personality traits play out differently in distinct situations. We examined if Neuroticism and Extraversion, personality traits known to moderate stress processes, function differently in highly stressful situations requiring reduced social contact, that is, the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on past findings, we expected neuroticism to be associated with exacerbated perceptions of stress. In contrast to past findings, we expected extraversion, which usually ameliorates stress, to be associated with intensified perceptions of stress, especially in regard to the sociability facet. During the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, one-hundred-thirty adults (age M = 21.7 years) reported on their personality traits including their facets with the BFI-2, COVID-19-related stressors, and their perceived stress during the last month (using the PSS). Findings indicated that neuroticism was associated with higher perceived stress regardless of the COVID-19-related stressors experienced. Facet level analysis revealed differences for anxiety, depression, and volatility. Importantly, trait extraversion was unassociated with stress experiences, whereas specifically the facet of sociability was associated with higher perceived stress. Also, the facets of assertiveness and energy both moderated the relationship between COVID-19-related stressors and perceived stress. In line with the transactional theory of stress, our findings indicate that perceptions of stress were best understood by looking at the interaction of environmental stressors and personality differences. Furthermore, the study substantiates that facets of personality traits offer unique information beyond broad traits in specific contexts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Miranda Yendrembam ◽  
Arundhati Devi Maibam ◽  
Sanjenbam Yaiphaba Meitei ◽  
Henry Konjengbam

Background - Perceived stress experiences differ amongst individuals due to psychological, physical and socio-economic factors and with the outbreak of COVID-19, the impact on mental health has been unavoidable. Another dimension of understanding stress is also put forth by Ayurveda, an ancient medicine system of India. Aim – Aims to find the association of bio-social parameters including prakriti body types with perceived stress levels amidst COVID -19 pandemic. Material and Methods – Data were collected from 390 individuals aged ranging from 18 – 45 years through an online survey. Prakriti were determined by prakriti assessment questionnaire. Stress level was assessed by using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 10) and relevant statistical analysis were carried out. Results - Significant association (p < 0.05) is found in body mass index (BMI), prakriti body types, sex, and effects of COVID–19 on mental and physical well – being with perceived stress levels. Vata prakriti (19.71%), underweight individuals (12.65%), and females (11.44%) are significantly more prone to develop high stress. Salaried individuals are significantly less likely to be affected by moderate stress. VIF is less than 5 and Tolerance is greater than 0.2. And, Nagelkerke value is found to be 29.3%.  Conclusion – The study concludes that there is a significant association of biosocial parameters including prakriti body types with perceived stress levels amidst COVID–19 pandemic. 


Author(s):  
Elke Humer ◽  
Christoph Pieh ◽  
Thomas Probst ◽  
Ida-Maria Kisler ◽  
Wolfgang Schimböck ◽  
...  

Telephone emergency services play an important role in providing low-threshold, anonymous crisis intervention free of cost. The current study aims to examine the mental well-being and perceived stress level of counselors as well as the main topics of helpline callers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria. In the current study, 374 counselors were recruited within the Austrian nationwide organization TelefonSeelsorge during the second wave of COVID-19 infection in Austria. The mental well-being (WHO-5) and perceived stress-level (PSS-10) were assessed and counselors were asked about the frequency of different topics thematized by callers and changes compared to pre-pandemic times. Compared to a reference group of the Austrian general population, counselors experienced less stress (13.22 vs. 16.42) and higher mental well-being (66.26 vs. 57.36; p < 0.001). The most frequent topics during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria were loneliness and mental health. More calls were registered in 2020 compared to 2019 and especially the topics loneliness, mental health, professional activities and relationships were reported to be thematized more often during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the time before (p < 0.001). The results contribute to an understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telephone crisis intervention.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097168582110228
Author(s):  
Meenal Gakhar ◽  
Zubin R. Mulla

This article extends the knowledge on whistleblowing by studying the impact of two individual antecedents (moral foundations and personality traits) and two situational factors (ethical leadership and leader–member exchange) on whistleblowing intentions. We presented 203 management students with a situation and assessed their likelihood of whistleblowing. Model estimations found strong support for situational factors overpowering the individual factors in determining the whistleblowing intentions. We found that ethical leadership was positively, and leader–member exchange negatively related with whistleblowing. In the presence of these situational factors, neither the Big Five personality traits, nor the moral foundations of a person seemed to matter in predicting an individual’s whistleblowing behaviour.


Author(s):  
Silvia Gardini ◽  
Giuseppe Grossi

The international literature suggests that the causes of weak financial sustainability of public organizations depend on both external and internal conditions. Whereas the external conditions are related to demographic and socio-economic factors, the internal conditions are associated with the political and managerial settings, and thus, the latter could be addressed by the local government with the aim to maintain financial sustainability over the long term. Based on a literature review, the authors explain the most consolidated trend of such variables with respect to the impact of those variables on financial sustainability, and simultaneously, they reveal a disproportion in what the literature has most recently analyzed. Ultimately, the authors highlight the need for further research regarding the managerial factors and additional cross-country comparisons of the roles of both external and internal conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Special3) ◽  
pp. 450-457
Author(s):  
Peter Oluyemi Adedeji ◽  
Aarinola Precious Oyedeji ◽  
Adenike Ayobola Olaogun ◽  
Oluwatosin Adewusi Adedeji

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has been reported to have psychological effects on various aspects of human life and segments of society. The study aimed to assess COVID-19 pandemic stress during and after lockdown among health sciences students at a private university in South-West, Nigeria. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional web-based research was conducted in a private teaching hospital of a private university using a simple random sampling technique. The study instrument was a self-structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic details and questions adapted from the validated Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) by Sheldon Cohen regarding lectures during and after COVID-19 lockdown. Data were analyzed with the aid of SPSS version 26 software. Results: A total of 220 respondents were included in the study, with a mean age of 22.08±2.996. Most of the respondents were females (157, 71.4%) in their 4th-year level (37%). The participants had a high level of stress during (46.8%) COVID-19 lockdown than after the lockdown (29.1%), and statistical significance was observed between the perceived stress level during and after the COVID-19 lockdown (McNemar-Bowker’s value = 29.322, P =<0.001) at P<0.05. The female gender (B = 2.432, P = 0.03) and the respondents in 3rd year (B = -4.178, P = 0.035) had moderate stress during COVID-19 lockdown at P < 0.05. After the COVID-19 lockdown, the respondents in their 5th year had both moderate (B = -1.73, P = 0.022) and high (B = -2.08, P = 0.026) stress at p<0.05 respectively. The respondents of age groups 17-20 years (B = 3.28, P = 0.04) and 21-24 years (B = 2.93, P = 0.046) also had high stress at P <0.05 after the lockdown. Most respondents suggested reducing online lecture loads and lockdown in school as ways the university can help students cope with stress in case of repeat pandemic outbreaks in the future. Conclusion: This study concludes that the health science students experienced a high level of stress during the COVID-19 lockdown and moderate stress level after the lockdown was eased.


Author(s):  
Siavash Moradi ◽  
Malihe Talebi Amrei ◽  
Ghasem Janbabai ◽  
Fateme Zamani

Background: The impact of personality traits such as type D personality on the development of psychosomatic illnesses such as cancer has been found by many researchers in the field of health psychology. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of the type D personality trait and its relationship with perceived stress among women with breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 120 cancer patients during 2017. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria and obtaining informed consent, the patients were selected using the convenience sampling method and evaluated by the Type D Personality Scale (DS14) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results: In this study, 69.2% of the patients obtained a score of ≥ 29 in the DS14 questionnaire. Correlation analysis between the components of DS14 and the final score of PSS showed that both social inhibition and negative affectivity had direct correlations with perceived stress (r = 0.35 and r = 0.6, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions: One of the most important results of this study was a relatively high score of type D personality among patients with breast cancer and the high contribution of negative affectivity to the perceived stress by patients with this type of personality. The particular status of type D personality traits among cancer patients can be used to design psychotherapy programs for them to prevent disease progression.


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