Public Sector Workers’ Mental Health in Argentina: Comparative Psychometrics of the Perceived Stress Scale

BACKGROUND Mental health is an emerging topic on university campuses, with students reporting higher levels of psychological distress than the general population of the same age. Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time have been proved promising measures to promote mental health in the general population. However, to derive and implement effective measures to promote mental health among university students, further exploration of the associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and perceived stress in this specific setting is needed. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and perceived stress after controlling for sociodemographic and behavioral variables among university students in Germany. We hypothesize that perceived stress is inversely related to physical activity and positively associated with sedentary time. Furthermore, we hypothesize that combined associations of concurrently high physical activity and low sedentary time on perceived stress are stronger compared with either alone and that the association between physical activity and perceived stress depends on activity intensity. METHODS We conducted cross-sectional analyses from a large-scale internet-based student health survey (n=4189; response rate=10.0%). Physical activity, sedentary time, and engaging in moderate and vigorous activity intensities were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form with categorization into low, intermediate, and high levels. We measured perceived stress using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (range 0-40). RESULTS The results indicate that higher physical activity and lower sedentary time are associated with reduced levels of perceived stress. Following adjustment for gender, BMI, income, fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality, perceived stress scores were lower for students reporting high physical activity levels and low sedentary time compared with the least active and highly sedentary students (Perceived Stress Scale –2.2, 95% CI –2.9 to –1.5, P<.001 for physical activity and –1.1, CI 95% –1.7 to –0.5, P<.001 for sedentary time). Combined associations with perceived stress revealed that students concurrently reporting high total physical activity and low sedentary time reported the lowest perceived stress scores of all possible combinations following adjustment for confounders (Perceived Stress Scale –3.5, CI 95% –4.6 to –2.5, P<.001 compared with students reporting low physical activity levels and concurrently high sedentary time). Associations between vigorous physical activities and perceived stress were not stronger compared with moderate activity intensities. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported physical activity and low sedentary time are favorably associated with perceived stress, while the intensity of physical activities seems to be of minor importance. These results help to effectively implement health-promoting measures on campus among university students through increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time.

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Mental health screening questionnaire: A Study on reliability and correlation with perceived stress score

Journal of Psychiatrists Association of Nepal ◽

10.3126/jpan.v8i2.28017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 4-8

Author(s):

P. Sharma ◽

G. Devkota

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Health Screening ◽

Mental Health Screening ◽

Self Report ◽

Perceived Stress Scale ◽

Screening Questionnaire ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Distress Scale

Introduction: Screening of mental disorders and psychological distress is important in clinical as well as research setting. The objective of this study is to test the reliability of mental health screening questionnaire developed by authors and see its correlation with perceived stress scale scores. Material and Method: A self-report screening instrument was designed by the authors in consultation with experts and was tested for reliability among 162 participants from general population gathered for stress management program. The correlation of the designed scale was tested with the Perceived Stress Scale score. Results: Scale reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) for the designed psychological distress scale was found to be 0.7558 which is regarded as having acceptable internal consistency. The questions of the designed scale had weak to moderate positive correlation with the score on Perceived Stress Scale. Conclusion: Despite many shortcomings of the designed scale we may be able to use it for basic screening of psychological distress and mental health problems. We recommend the validity of scale be tested in larger sample size.

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INVESTIGATION OF THE EMOTIONS OF HEALTH PERSONNEL DURING THE PANDEMIC PROCESS IN TERMS OF SOME VARIABLES

Gevher Nesibe Journal, IESDR ◽

10.46648/gnj.196 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (12) ◽

pp. 29-39

Author(s):

Nihal ALOĞLU ◽

Tuba GECDİ

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Health Workers ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Psychosocial Problems ◽

Medical Personnel ◽

Perceived Stress Scale ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale ◽

Mental Trauma

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of stress, insomnia and depression amongst medical personnel during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This study, which uses a quantitative approach, is descriptive research based on the general screening model. The sample of the study consisted of 849 health workers who used social media and agreed to support research online. In the study, a questionnaire containing demographic information, The Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HAD), and the Perceived Stress Scale (ASÖ) were used as a data collection tool. Analysis of the obtained data was performed by performing an independent sample t test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SPSS 20 program. Results: The study recruited 849 participants, of which 59.5.2% were nurse, 11.3 % were doctor and 29.2 % other medical personnel. When the distribution of anxiety (HAD-A), depression (HAD-D), Perceived Stress Scale score averages was examined, the distribution of anxiety (HAD-A), depression (HAD-D), perceived stress score averages of participants was found to have moderate levels of questionnaire and depression, while perceived stress was higher. There are statistically significant differences between depression (HAD-D) and anxiety (HAD-A) scores and participants ' “working or not working in a pandemic clinic” status. Result: As a result of the findings, it can be stated that health workers working in the pandemic clinic have higher stress, anxiety and depression scores It has been concluded that medical staff working as nurses and midwives are under more stress than specialists and general practitioners. During the covid-19 pandemic, measures that can be taken to identify the situations affecting the mental health of medical personnel working at the front line, the psychosocial problems they experience, the protection of the mental health of employees and the Prevention of mental trauma should be taken into account.

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Mindfulness & Music Interventions in the Workplace: Assessment of Mind Wandering and Working Memory Using a Crowdsourcing Approach

10.21203/rs.3.rs-881039/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Johanne Axelsen ◽

Jacob Stig Jarnot Meline ◽

Walter Staiano ◽

Ulrich Kirk

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Working Memory ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Working Memory Capacity ◽

Mind Wandering ◽

Cognitive Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Music Intervention ◽

Perceived Stress Scale ◽

Stress Scale

Abstract Background Occupational stress has huge financial as well as human costs. Application of crowdsourcing might be a way to strengthen the investigation of occupational mental health. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess Danish employees’ stress and cognition by relying on a crowdsourcing approach, as well as investigating the effect of a 30-day mindfulness and music intervention. Methods We translated well-validated neuropsychological laboratory- and task-based paradigms into an app-based platform using cognitive games measuring mind wandering and working memory and measuring stress via. Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale. A total of 623 healthy volunteers from Danish companies participated in the study and were randomized into three groups, which consisted of a 30-day intervention of either mindfulness or music, or a non-intervention control group. Results Participants in the mindfulness group showed a significant improvement in the coefficient of mind wandering, working memory capacity and perceived stress (p < .001). The music group showed a 38% decrease of self-perceived stress. The control group showed no difference from pre to post in the survey or cognitive outcome measures. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between usage of the mindfulness and music app and elevated score on both the cognitive games and the Perceived Stress Scale. Conclusion The study supports the nascent field of crowdsourcing by being able to replicate data collected in previous well-controlled laboratory studies from a range of experimental cognitive tasks, making it an effective alternative. It also supports mindfulness as an effective intervention in improving mental health in the workplace.

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Predictors of Mental Health During the COVID Pandemic

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1581 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 409-410

Author(s):

Helen Lach ◽

Devita Stallings ◽

Rebecca Lorenz ◽

John Taylor ◽

Janice Palmer

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Process Model ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Life Space ◽

Perceived Stress Scale ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Perceived Social Isolation

Abstract Health professionals have been concerned about mental health of older adults during the COVID pandemic. To explore their experiences, we conducted an online survey of community-dwelling older people to examine their mental health related to stress, based on Pearlin’s Stress Process Model. A snowball approach was used; we sent recruitment e-mails through senior organizations and contacts with e-mail lists of potential participants; there were 504 respondents. We used regression analysis to explore predictors of mental health based on Pearlin’s model. Background characteristics included age (m = 75.7, SD 4.95), gender (77.4% female) and race (White = 93.4%). The CESD-10 provided a measure of mental health. Scores indicated 62.3% of the sample scored in the low range for depressive symptoms and 37.7% in the moderate to high range. Stressors were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale that includes subscales of perceived helplessness and perceived self-efficacy. We also measured perceived social Isolation, and current life space as predictor variables. Results of regressing the CESD-10 onto the set of theoretical predictors revealed that the inclusion both subscales of the Perceived Stress Scale, social isolation, and current life space jointly accounted for approximately 63.0% of the variability in the outcome beyond the baseline model (FChange[4, 449] = 211.15, p < .01), which included age, race, and gender. The model overall, accounted for approximately 66.5% (R2adjusted = 66.0%) of the variability in CESD-10 scores, (F[7, 449] = 127.473, p < .01). Addressing stress among older adults is important to help them maintain positive mental health.

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Assess the Level of Stress during Covid-19 Pandemic among 10th and 12th Standard Students

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i57b34051 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 236-240

Author(s):

Isha Thakare ◽

Sheetal Sakharkar ◽

Ankita Udan ◽

Vaishnavi Telrandhe ◽

Saurabh Tapase

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

Final Conclusion ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Perceived Stress Scale ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Teachers And Students

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on school children especially in their academic performance which may affect their mental health. The College students bear more pressure and have more serious physical and mental health problems. Due to the recent social changes in the education domain (e.g., the sharing of educational resources and advances in communication technology), the use of distance education is more and more, which changes the communication patterns between teachers and students, increases the isolation and independence of students, and thus becomes an important source of pressure for students [1]. Aim of the Study: To assess the level of stress during COVID-19 pandemic among the students of 10th and 12th standard. 2. To associate the level of stress during COVID-19 pandemic among the students of 10th and 12th standard with demographic variables. Methodology: An descriptive study will be use to assess the level of stress during COVID-19 pandemic among the 10th and 12th standard students in Wardha, Maharashtra. A purposive sampling technique will be use to pick the sample. A total 100 students who met the inclusion criteria will be select for this study. A Perceived Stress Scale was created to assess the stress. Expected Results: This study is mainly planned to assess the level of stress in students of 10th and 12th standard with the help of Perceived Stress Scale and demographic variables. Conclusion: Final conclusion will be drawn from final result of the statistical review.

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Independent and Combined Associations of Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Activity Intensities With Perceived Stress Among University Students: Internet-Based Cross-Sectional Study

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance ◽

10.2196/20119 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. e20119

Author(s):

Shu Ling Tan ◽

Malte Jetzke ◽

Vera Vergeld ◽

Carsten Müller

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Perceived Stress Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Scale

Background Mental health is an emerging topic on university campuses, with students reporting higher levels of psychological distress than the general population of the same age. Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time have been proved promising measures to promote mental health in the general population. However, to derive and implement effective measures to promote mental health among university students, further exploration of the associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and perceived stress in this specific setting is needed. Objective This study aims to identify associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and perceived stress after controlling for sociodemographic and behavioral variables among university students in Germany. We hypothesize that perceived stress is inversely related to physical activity and positively associated with sedentary time. Furthermore, we hypothesize that combined associations of concurrently high physical activity and low sedentary time on perceived stress are stronger compared with either alone and that the association between physical activity and perceived stress depends on activity intensity. Methods We conducted cross-sectional analyses from a large-scale internet-based student health survey (n=4189; response rate=10.0%). Physical activity, sedentary time, and engaging in moderate and vigorous activity intensities were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form with categorization into low, intermediate, and high levels. We measured perceived stress using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (range 0-40). Results The results indicate that higher physical activity and lower sedentary time are associated with reduced levels of perceived stress. Following adjustment for gender, BMI, income, fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality, perceived stress scores were lower for students reporting high physical activity levels and low sedentary time compared with the least active and highly sedentary students (Perceived Stress Scale –2.2, 95% CI –2.9 to –1.5, P<.001 for physical activity and –1.1, CI 95% –1.7 to –0.5, P<.001 for sedentary time). Combined associations with perceived stress revealed that students concurrently reporting high total physical activity and low sedentary time reported the lowest perceived stress scores of all possible combinations following adjustment for confounders (Perceived Stress Scale –3.5, CI 95% –4.6 to –2.5, P<.001 compared with students reporting low physical activity levels and concurrently high sedentary time). Associations between vigorous physical activities and perceived stress were not stronger compared with moderate activity intensities. Conclusions Self-reported physical activity and low sedentary time are favorably associated with perceived stress, while the intensity of physical activities seems to be of minor importance. These results help to effectively implement health-promoting measures on campus among university students through increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time.

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