Association of Perceived Stress Levels Amidst  COVID-19 Pandemic with Bio-Social Parameters and  Prakriti Body Types among the adult’s population of Manipur, India

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.

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Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Perceived Stress Scale Measures

Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health ◽

10.1007/s44197-021-00014-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 377-388

Author(s):

Nuha Alwaqdani ◽

Hala A. Amer ◽

Reem Alwaqdani ◽

Fahad AlMansour ◽

Hind A. Alzoman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Online Survey ◽

High Stress ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Perceived Stress Scale ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Stress Levels

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and of considerable concern among health care workers (HCWs). Being particularly at increased risk for exposure, HCWs worry about becoming infected as well as infecting co-workers, patients and family members. Such distress and panic may have destructive effects on individuals and may last long after the pandemic situation leading to depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to measure and investigate the prevalence of the factors affecting psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs. Methods A self-administered online survey—including perceived stress scale (PSS) questions—was disseminated among HCWs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SA) between1st June and 30th July 2020. Results A total of 469 HCWs responded to the survey for a high response rate (93.8%). The PSS revealed that 15.8% of the respondents were suffering from high stress levels, 77.2% were suffering from moderate stress levels and 7% with low stress levels. Females and junior frontline staff reported more severe stress levels. Participation on the pandemic team shows significant impact on stress levels. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic has increased stress levels among HCWs and affects their psychological wellbeing. Designing programs promoting HCWs mental health are crucial and emotional and psychological support strategies should be part of every public health crisis management plan.

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Workplace Stress, Presenteeism, Absenteeism, and Resilience Amongst University Staff and Students in the COVID-19 Lockdown

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.588803 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Christina Maria Van Der Feltz-Cornelis ◽

D. Varley ◽

Victoria L. Allgar ◽

Edwin de Beurs

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

High Stress ◽

Female Gender ◽

Workplace Stress ◽

University Staff ◽

Stress Levels ◽

The Impact

Background: This study explored how the COVID-19 outbreak and arrangements such as remote working and furlough affect work or study stress levels and functioning in staff and students at the University of York, UK.Methods: An invitation to participate in an online survey was sent to all University of York staff and students in May-June 2020. We measured stress levels [VAS-scale, Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ)], mental health [anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9)], physical health (PHQ-15, chronic medical conditions checklist), presenteeism, and absenteeism levels (iPCQ). We explored demographic and other characteristics as factors which may contribute to resilience and vulnerability for the impact of COVID-19 on stress.Results: One thousand and fifty five staff and nine hundred and twenty five students completed the survey. Ninety-eight per cent of staff and seventy-eight per cent of students worked or studied remotely. 7% of staff and 10% of students reported sickness absence. 26% of staff and 40% of the students experienced presenteeism. 22–24% of staff reported clinical-level anxiety and depression scores, and 37.2 and 46.5% of students. Staff experienced high stress levels due to COVID-19 (66.2%, labeled vulnerable) and 33.8% experienced low stress levels (labeled resilient). Students were 71.7% resilient vs. 28.3% non-resilient. Predictors of vulnerability in staff were having children [OR = 2.23; CI (95) = 1.63–3.04] and social isolation [OR = 1.97; CI (95) = 1.39–2.79] and in students, being female [OR = 1.62; CI (95) = 1.14–2.28], having children [OR = 2.04; CI (95) = 1.11–3.72], and social isolation [OR = 1.78; CI (95) = 1.25–2.52]. Resilience was predicted by exercise in staff [OR = 0.83; CI (95) = 0.73–0.94] and in students [OR = 0.85; CI (95) = 0.75–0.97].Discussion: University staff and students reported high psychological distress, presenteeism and absenteeism. However, 33.8% of staff and 71.7% of the students were resilient. Amongst others, female gender, having children, and having to self-isolate contributed to vulnerability. Exercise contributed to resilience.Conclusion: Resilience occurred much more often in students than in staff, although psychological distress was much higher in students. This suggests that predictors of resilience may differ from psychological distress per se. Hence, interventions to improve resilience should not only address psychological distress but may also address other factors.

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on US College Students’ Physical Activity and Mental Health

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0325 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 272-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Oliver W.A. Wilson ◽

Kelsey E. Holland ◽

Lucas D. Elliott ◽

Michele Duffey ◽

Melissa Bopp

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

College Students ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Significant Decline ◽

Spring Semester ◽

The Impact

Background: Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both physical activity (PA) and mental health is important to demonstrate the need for interventions. This study examined the apparent impact of the pandemic on college students’ PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Methods: From 2015 through 2020, data were collected at the beginning and end of the spring semester at a large Northeastern US university via an online survey assessing student demographics, PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Mixed ANOVA examined differences in PA and mental health changes over the spring semester between “normal” and COVID-19 circumstances. Two-way ANOVA examined the interaction between circumstance and changes in PA in relation to changes in mental health. Results: Participants (n = 1019) were predominately women and non-Hispanic white. There was a significant decline in PA and an increase in perceived stress under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances and a significant increase in depressive symptoms under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances among women. Conclusions: A significant decline in PA and mental health among college students occurred under COVID-19 circumstances, and PA did not appear to protect against deterioration in mental health. Proactive and innovative policies, programs, and practices to promote student health and well-being must be explored immediately.

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The Relationship of Stress and Sleep Quality amongst Cognitive Science Students

Trends in Undergraduate Research ◽

10.33736/tur.1911.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. e1-7

Author(s):

CAR LYN CHEONG ◽

KOCK WAH TAN

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Cognitive Science ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

High Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Malaysian Students ◽

The Relationship

Stress is a common problem in modern life. Most Malaysian students suffer from high stress levels and poor sleep quality without realising their harmfulness to health and well-being. The major focus of the paper is to examine the relationship between stress and sleep quality among Cognitive Science undergraduate students. This paper also investigates if demographic attributes (gender differences and year of study) affect stress level and sleep quality. The participants of this study comprised 90 Cognitive Science undergraduate students studying at the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Data was collected by using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (Perceived Stress Scale) and Sleep Quality Questionnaire (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). The results of the study showed that there was a weak relationship between stress and sleep quality. Those in the poor sleep category reported higher levels of perceived stress. Moreover, the findings showed that female students had higher stress levels than male students. First year students appeared to experience poorer sleep quality compared to final year students. The study also found no interaction effects between gender and year of study on sleep quality and stress. Further research could be conducted with a bigger population size and in other study programs. Future research could also assess non-demographic factors which might influence stress and sleep quality.

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POS1176 THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 QUARANTINE ON MENTAL HEALTH OF PATIENTS WITH FIBROMYALGIA

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.984 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 869.2-869

Author(s):

F. Ingegnoli ◽

M. Buoli ◽

C. Posio ◽

R. DI Taranto ◽

R. Caporali

Keyword(s):

Perceived Stress ◽

Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Online Survey ◽

Causal Effect ◽

Well Being ◽

Total Sample ◽

National Association ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

Background:Detrimental psychological effects, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress, anxiety, and depression have been related to COVID-19 quarantine measures (1). These aspects may be particularly relevant in stress-related disorders such as fibromyalgia (FM) in which previous evidence demonstrated a causal effect of psychological stressors on chronic non-inflammatory pain of FM (2). Recent studies highlighted a significant worsening of FM symptoms after COVID-19 related lockdown period (3-4), but the levels of perceived stress and distress have not been evaluated yet.Objectives:The aim of this study is to establish the COVID-19 related perceived stress and distress among patients with FM who experienced the COVID-19 quarantine in Italy. Data were retrieved from a larger nationwide online survey involving patients affected by different rheumatic diseases (RD).Methods:We collected data from May to September 2020 from RD patients living in Italy during the COVID-19 quarantine by an ad-hoc online survey. Eleven associations of RD patients sent a call by using their mailing list, webpages and social network. They asked to complete an anonymous online survey which included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize results.Results:79 of 507 (15.6%) of RD patients who completed the survey declared to have been diagnosed FM. 77 (97.5%) were females, with a mean (± SD) age of 51.0 ± 12.4 yrs. In FM patients, the mean (SD) PSS score was 23.8 ± 8.1. In particular, 8 (10.1%) reported low, 38 (48.1%) moderate and 33 (41.8%) high PSS scores. Moreover, IES-R mean (SD) score was 38.5 ± 17.2. Among FM patients, 51 (64.6%) reported scores greater than 33, indicating the probable presence of a PTSD. With regard to the IES-R subscale scores, the total sample did not show a prominence of one of the three main domains: intrusion (13.9 ± 7.3), avoidance (11.9 ± 6.1) and hyperarousal (12.6 ± 5.9). In these FM patients, self-reported major sources of anxiety were related to personal and relatives’ health (59.5%), followed by social withdrawal (21.5%) and employment loss/financial difficulties (11.4%). There was a slight increase of self-reported use of antidepressants (15 [18.9%] vs 16 [20.2%]) and anxiolytics drugs (4 [5.1%] vs 5 [6.3%]) after lockdown period.Conclusion:These results confirm that psychosocial stress and distress were highly pervasive in FM after COVID-19 national lockdown. It is known that stressed status may exacerbate and/or precipitate later development of FM symptoms. These data support the substantial worsening of somatic burden of FM after lockdown period reported in previous studies (3-4). Coping strategies should be implemented to ameliorate psychological well-being of these patients in this stressful era.References:[1]Brooks SK, et al. Lancet. 2020;395:912-20.[2]Hung CH, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2020;79:1644-1656.[3]Batres-Marroquín AB, et al. J Clin Rheumatol. 2020 Epub ahead of print.[4]Cavalli G, et al. Rheumatology 2021;60:465-467.Acknowledgements:We wish to thank the Lombard Association of Rheumatic Diseases (ALOMAR) for its invaluable contribution to the planning and dissemination the survey, all the Italian associations among which the National Association of People with Rheumatic and Rare Diseases (APMARR) and National Association of People with Rheumatic Diseases (ANMAR) that disseminated the survey through social media. The authors are grateful to all patients for contributing to this project.Disclosure of Interests:Francesca Ingegnoli: None declared, Massimiliano Buoli: None declared, Cristina Posio: None declared, Raffaele Di Taranto: None declared, Roberto Caporali Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, BMS, Celltrion, Galapagos, Gilead, Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Sanofi, Fresenius Kabi, Samsung bioepis, MSD, Consultant of: Galapagos, Gilead, Lilly,Janssen, MSD.

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Single-centre study surveying neurology trainees’ and faculty’s perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents’ medical education

BMJ Neurology Open ◽

10.1136/bmjno-2021-000184 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. e000184

Author(s):

Hisham Alhajala ◽

Ahmad Riad Ramadan ◽

Aarushi Suneja ◽

Lonni Schultz ◽

Iram F Zaman

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Objective Assessment ◽

High Stress ◽

Medical Knowledge ◽

Well Being ◽

Training Experience ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Henry Ford ◽

Single Centre Study ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess perceptions of our neurology residents and faculty regarding training experience and medical education during the early COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe distributed two online, voluntary and anonymous surveys to trainees and teaching faculty of our Neurology Department at Henry Ford Hospital. Surveys inquired about trainees’ stress, well-being, clinical experience and satisfaction with medical education and available support resources during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan (mid-March to June 2020).ResultsA total of 17/31 trainees and 25/42 faculty responded to the surveys. Eight (47%) trainees reported high stress levels. Nine (57%) were redeployed to cover COVID-19 units. Compared with non-redeployed trainees, redeployed residents reported augmented medical knowledge (89% vs 38%, p=0.05). There was no difference in the two groups regarding overall satisfaction with residency experience, stress levels and didactics attendance. Twenty-one (84%) faculty felt that the redeployment interfered with trainees education but was appropriate, while 10 (59%) trainees described a positive experience overall. Both trainees and faculty believed the pandemic positively impacted trainees’ experience by increasing maturity level, teamwork, empathy, and medical knowledge, while both agreed that increased stress and anxiety levels were negative outcomes of the pandemic. Twelve (70%) trainees and 13 (52%) faculty were interested in pursuing more virtual didactics in the future.ConclusionOur findings provide an objective assessment of residents' experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and can guide teaching programmes in their medical education response in the face of future global crises.

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Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students, Assistants, and Faculty of a Dental Institute of Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182413366 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (24) ◽

pp. 13366

Author(s):

Saqib Ali ◽

Saman Tauqir ◽

Faraz Ahmed Farooqi ◽

Badr Al-Jandan ◽

Hawra Al-Janobi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

High Stress ◽

Dental Students ◽

Faculty Members ◽

P Value ◽

Senior Year ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Moderate Stress

This study aimed to assess the perceived stress levels in students, assistants, and faculty members of the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal, University (IAU), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using the Cohen’s perceived stress scale (PSS) questionnaire (consisting of 14 items, hence called PSS-14), an online observational survey was conducted. The PSS 14 was rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). The scores ranging from 0–18 represented low stress, 19–37 represented moderate stress, and 38–56 represented high stress. The second-and third-year students were designated as junior year students, while fourth-year onwards were considered senior year students. Out of total 265 participants, 65% (173) were female, and the majority of the participants were dental students 70% (185) with a mean age of 26.71 ± 9.26 years. In the present study, the average PSS score for the participants was computed as 29.89 (range score: 0–56) which shows moderate stress levels among the respondents. The PSS score for the students was 31.03; for the faculty, it was 28, while for the assistants, it was 27.05. Among the three participant groups, the students were found more on the severe stress side (19%) (p-value = 0.002), and among them, the senior year students (6th year) showed significantly higher stress levels compared to the junior year students (p-value = 0.005). Age-wise, the participants below 20 years were most stressed (21%), followed by those 20–30 years old (18%). Female participants were more severely stressed than males (17% vs. 10%, respectively). It was concluded that the students experienced more stress, followed by the faculty members and dental assistants. In addition, younger participants, females, and senior year students were more stressed than their counterparts. Future studies directed at evaluating stress levels of these groups from different dental institutes could provide an opportunity for policymakers to offer various resources to improve their mental health.

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Working Conditions, Employment, Career Development and Well-Being of Refugee Researchers

Societies ◽

10.3390/soc11030071 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 71

Author(s):

Ourania Tzoraki ◽

Svetlana Dimitrova ◽

Marin Barzakov ◽

Saad Yaseen ◽

Vasilis Gavalas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Appropriate Technology ◽

Public Authorities ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Home Setting ◽

The Public ◽

Work From Home ◽

The Impact

The ongoing ‘refugee crisis’ of the past years has led to the migration of refugee researchers (RRs) to European countries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RRs often had to work from home and/or to continue their social, cultural and economic integration process under new conditions. An online survey carried out to explore the impact of the pandemic on the refugee researchers showed that RRs found it difficult to adapt their everyday working life to the ‘home’ setting. The majority have had neither a suitable work environment at home nor the appropriate technology. Although they stated that they are rather pleased with the measures taken by the public authorities, they expressed concern about their vulnerability due to their precarious contracts and the bureaucratic asylum procedures, as the pandemic has had a negative impact on these major issues. The majority of RRs working in academia seem not to have been affected at all as far as their income is concerned, while the majority of those employed in other sectors became unemployed during the pandemic (58%). Recommendations are provided to the public authorities and policy makers to assist RRs to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic on their life.

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Family Physicians’ Standpoint and Mental Health Assessment in the Light of COVID-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Survey Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18042093 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 2093

Author(s):

Tina Vilovic ◽

Josko Bozic ◽

Marino Vilovic ◽

Doris Rusic ◽

Sanja Zuzic Furlan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Family Physicians ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, family physicians (FPs) are the backbone of the healthcare system with considerable impact on the general population, and their well-being is of great importance. The aim of this investigation was to assess FPs mental health, as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding the pandemic, and opinions on non-communicable disease (NCD) health care provided to patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 613 FPs. Anxiety and depression levels were estimated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, subjective perceived stress with the Perceived Stress Scale, while trauma-related symptoms were assessed using the Impact on Event Scale-COVID19. KAPs toward the pandemic and opinions regarding NCD patients were evaluated with questionnaires accordingly. Results have shown that age (β = −0.02, p = 0.013) and personal risk of COVID‑19 (β = 1.05, p < 0.001) were significant independent correlates of the knowledge score. A total of 87.7% FPs expressed moderate/high perceived stress, 45.2% moderate/severe trauma-related symptoms, 60.4% borderline/abnormal anxiety levels, and 52.4% borderline/abnormal depression levels. Knowledge score was an independent predictor of perceived stress (β = −0.33, p = 0.023) and anxiety (β = −0.31, p = 0.006) levels. Limited accessibility to healthcare services and decreased number of newly-diagnosed NCD cases were mostly agreed on. The pandemic puts a considerable strain on FPs mental health, as well as on public health measures, due to the decreased overall quality of NCD patient health care. Educational programs may bridge the gaps between FPs’ knowledge. Thus lowering anxiety and improving patient care.

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Psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic in low-income and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study of older persons in Thailand

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047650 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. e047650

Author(s):

Wiraporn Pothisiri ◽

Paolo Miguel Manalang Vicerra

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Low Income ◽

Older Persons ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Ageing Society ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Middle Income ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 situation in Thailand was controlled with various social measures. Much of the information covered in the media and in studies focused on the public health and economic aspects of the pandemic. This study aimed to explore the psychological well-being of older people, which is important especially in an ageing society categorised as low income or middle income due to the limits of economic and healthcare resources.SettingThe impact of COVID-19 on older persons in Thailand, an online survey, taken across nine provinces within the five regions of the country.ParticipantsInformation was collected from 1230 adults aged at least 60 years old.If an older person was illiterate, unable to access the internet or had a disability preventing them from responding to the survey, an intermediary residing in the community conducted the survey interview.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe analysis focused on the worries of older adults and the factors associated with psychological distress experienced during the pandemic using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe majority of people aged at least 60 years old experienced psychological distress during COVID-19. Employment loss (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.38), inadequate income (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.44) and debt incursion (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.57 to 4.80) were detrimental to psychological well-being. The negative changes in the perception of their health status (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.99) and decreased life satisfaction (OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.87) also weighed on older Thais. The protective factors for psychological well-being were residing in rural areas (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.61) and being married (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.01).ConclusionObserving the concerns of the older population is important for introducing policies that can alleviate their precarious financial and health statuses.

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