Psychological Distress During COVID-19 Curfews and Social Distancing in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to over 150 countries worldwide. Since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Saudi Arabia, cases have continued to escalate exponentially. The COVID-19 outbreak has had a negative effect on mental health and well-being. The study aimed to investigate the effects of the strict national regulations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of Saudi residents. Saudi residents aged 18 years or older were invited to complete an online questionnaire after one month of a nationwide 24-h curfew between May 6, 2020 and May 13, 2020. We measured psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). We ran binary logistic regression analyses to detect variables that significantly predicted DASS-21 scores.Results: A sample of 2252 participants was recruited from the general population of Saudi Arabia. The DASS-21 score means and standard deviations for depression and anxiety for the whole sample (10.73 ± 10.29 and 6.98 ± 8.30, respectively) were in the range of mild depression and anxiety. In contrast, the mean DASS-21 stress score was within the normal range (11.97 ± 10.80). The mean stress score for healthcare workers was within the normal range (13.70 ± 10.68) but was significantly higher than the mean score for the public (11.56 ± 10.89; P = 0.0006). Several variables (e.g., age, gender, and history of contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases) were significantly associated with higher DASS-21 scores.Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a psychological burden. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement emergency public health interventions that ameliorate the risk perception of COVID-19 through the dissemination of adequate and targeted health information that could be a successful measure to mitigate the psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of music therapy to reduce stress in hospitalized cats

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the use of two different types of music – cat-specific music and classical music – compared with no music, to reduce stress in cats during hospitalization. Methods Thirty-five hospitalized cats were randomly divided into three groups and each group received a different stimulus – cat-specific music, classical music or no music (control) – throughout their hospitalization. Respiratory rate, salivary cortisol and social interaction were documented. A blinded researcher performed the Cat Stress Score (CSS) during the video analysis of recordings at five specific times over 31 h of hospitalization. Results There was no difference in the mean CSS between cats listening to cat-specific music, classical music and control throughout the five evaluations. Cat-specific music had a higher percentage of positive social interactions than the other groups on the first evaluation ( P <0.05). The average respiratory rate was significantly lower in the classical music group vs control on the fourth evaluation ( P <0.05). Although statistically insignificant, the average respiratory rate decreased only in the classical music group during the five evaluations. Cortisol quantification did not seem to follow the CSS results. However, owing to the low and unrepresentative number of samples, it was not possible to perform statistical analysis on these results or a group sample comparison. Conclusions and relevance Both cat-specific music and classical music seem to have some benefit to hospitalized cats. The salivary cortisol analysis was not adequate nor useful to measure stress in hospitalized cats in our study.

Is the I-PACE (Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution) model valid in South Korea? The effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on internet gaming disorder and the mediating effect of stress on adolescents

Background and aims The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on internet gaming disorder (IGD) and the mediating effect of stress based on the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model. Methods The 2017 survey data from one community addiction management center in South Korea were analyzed. A sample of 3,593 adolescents (mean age = 13.75 years, SD = 2.22) were recruited from 23 elementary, middle and high schools and 11 local children’s centers. The mediating effect was analyzed by the three-step analysis method. Results Our study found that ACEs had a significant effect on the stress score (B = 1.420, P < 0.001) and the stress scale score had a significant effect the IGD score (B = 0.127, P < 0.001). After adjusting for the stress score in the model, ACEs had a significant effect on the IGD score (B = 0.328, P < 0.001), and the stress score had partial mediating effects (B = 0.1802, 95% C. I: 0.131–0.239). Discussion We found that ACEs directly affect IGD and that ACEs directly affect IGD through stress in support of the I-PACE model. In the sensitivity analysis, the mediating effect of stress in the low-risk IGD group was significant, but the mediating effect of stress in the high-risk IGD group was not significant. Prior ACEs should be considered when interviewing IGD clients. In addition, enhancing stress management skills would be beneficial to IGD clients with a history of ACEs, and actions reducing exposure to ACEs in childhood are necessary.

Assess level of stress among working and non-working women residing in selected areas in a view to develop an information booklet

Assess level of stress among working and non-working women residing in selected areas in a view to develop an information booklet. Objectives: 1. To assess level of stress among working women. 2. To assess level of stress among non-working women. 3. To compare the level of stress among working and non-working women. Material and Methods: The research approach adopted in this study is Evaluatory approach. Non-experimental descriptive comparative research design was used. The sample were selected by non-probability convenient sampling technique sample size was 120 (60working women and 60 non-working women). Results: 1. 85% of the working women had severe stress (score 18-25) and 15% of them had moderate stress (Score 26-33). 2. 35% of the non-working women had severe stress (score 18-25) and 65% of them had moderate stress (Score 26-33). 3. Average stress score in employed women was 22.5 which was 26.2 in unemployed women. Z-value for this test was 7.8 with 118 degrees of freedom. Corresponding p-value was small (less than 0.05), the null hypothesis is rejected. The stress level among working is significantly more than that in non-working women. Conclusion: The stress level among working is significantly more than that in non-working women.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy on Reducing Level of Stress Among Primary School Teachers of Selected School in Hoshangabad MP India

The purpose of the study was to assess the amount of stress among primary school teachers in Hoshangabad, evaluate the efficiency of laughing therapy in lowering their level of stress, and discover a relationship between their pre-test level of stress and chosen demographic characteristics. A pre-experimental research was carried out among primary school teachers at Servite Convent English Medium School in Hoshangabd, near Housing Board Road. The data collecting period was extended from January 21 to February 21. Thirty elementary school teachers were chosen using purposive sampling. There was a pre-test, an intervention, and a post-test. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The study found that most instructors' stress levels were moderate in the pre-test and mild in the post-test. It was severe in 10% of the instructors in the pre-test, but no one showed significant stress in the post-test. The mean stress score after the exam was lower than the mean stress score before the test. A substantial relationship was discovered between the amount of stress and certain demographic characteristics such as age and stress-reduction strategies. The majority of primary school instructors had mild to moderate stress, which was alleviated by laughing therapy. As a result, laughing therapy should be employed to relieve stress among elementary school instructors.

To Assess Awareness and Stress Level Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic among Banker

Background of Study: The World Health Organization has designated the outbreak as a global epidemic, requiring country to tighten its statewide lockdown in order to prevent the illness from spreading and to put an end to the outbreak in its several states. This study is designed to establish how many bankers are aware of the Corona Virus. Most of people are sensitive to fear of sickness or death, feeling hopeless, and being stereotype at the group level, just as they are at the individual level. The epidemic has a negative effect on public mental health, perhaps leading to psychiatric crises. Objectives: To assess the awareness and stress level regarding covid-19 pandemic among bankers. Materials and Methods: A Descriptive research design study was undertaken to assess awareness and stress level regarding covid-19 pandemic among bankers. In this study the total number of 100 who fulfill the inclusion criteria were selected banks in Wardha city. The study was non-probability convenient sampling technique used and the tool was the structured questionnaires on awareness of covid-19 and also modify modify perceived stress scale. The data gathering process began based on the objectives and the hypothesis the data was statistically analyzed with various tests such as descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: This study is planned to assess to assess awareness and stress level in bankers regarding covid-19 pandemic. The result are shows that the awareness of bankers, 6% of bankers had average, 83% of bankers had good and 11% of bankers had excellent level of awareness level. Minimum awareness score was 6 and maximum awareness score was 18. Mean awareness score was 13.51±2.01 and mean percentage of awareness score was 68.55±10.08. The stress level of banker’s shows that 7% of bankers had moderate stress, 80% had severe and 13% of bankers had extreme stress. Minimum stress score was 22 and maximum stress score was 65. Mean stress score was 37.59±10.50 and mean percentage of stress score was 59.48±12.75 Conclusion: To assess overall awareness and stress level in bankers regarding covid-19 pandemic. We conducted a survey with a representative sample of the Wardha city. Our research study concluded that the bankers have good knowledge related to covid-19 and suffer from high level of stress. One sensible option is to give expert counselling to reduce this unnecessary stress. We recommend that deep breathing exercise, meditation, yoga can also help people to eliminate stress.

STRESS AND ANXIETY IN GENERAL POPULATION IN ROMANIA DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The mental health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmingly affect the general population. Stress and health anxiety, the risk of losing a job and working at home, online education for children, and isolation have a devastating cumulative effect. This study aims to achieve the following: i) to identify the epidemiological specifics of the perceived stress levels in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic; ii) to evaluate the correlation between socioeconomic factors and the level of perceived stress and anxiety; iii) to analyze the correlation between the perceived stress scores and the anxiety scores in the general population. We applied Perceived Stress Score (PSS) validated questionnaire and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) online to a group of respondents (N=1.362), profiling the data based on demographics: age, sex, COVID-19 infection, behavior compliance to sanitary limitations, socioeconomic status, and pre-existing health issues. Results show differentiation of PSS values in female and male respondents; occupation significantly influences the perceived stress score among COVID-19 positive respondents. Educational level and income significantly influence the perceived stress score. Low educational level and low income increase the perceived stress score among negative COVID-19 respondents. Subsequent research is needed to clarify other correlations between the perceived stress levels and general population well-being. While certain life conditions enhance the perception of stress, others could provide protective value to demographic groups. Therefore, we suggest further studies and qualitative approaches to general population stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevalence of obesity and its association with stress levels among undergraduate medical students

The burden of obesity and its related disorders is growing to an epidemic form, particularly among young adults, both in the developing and developed countries. Pursuing medical education is considered stressful throughout the course of the training. Stress leading to disordered eating habits along with lack of physical activity tend to make medical students more prone to obesity related disorders. The present study was carried out to find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with stress among medical undergraduates.This cross-sectional study was conducted at Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. After obtaining approval from the Institutional ethics committee, both male and female students were invited to participate. Data on age, gender, type of diet, physical activity, consumption of junk food and other habits were collected. Cohen’s perceived stress score questionnaire was used to quantify the level of stress. Among 170 students, about 18.2% (n=31) of students were obese and 8.2% (n=14) were overweight. The mean stress score was 17.2 (± 4.72) and about 78% (n=133) reported to have stress with scores &#62; 13. There was a significant association between BMI and consumption of junk food and a mild positive correlation existed between BMI and perceived stress score index(PSSI) among first year medical undergraduates.Obesity and stress remain a common problem among medical undergraduates. The causality can be established with more robust study designs. Encouraging proper eating habits combined with daily physical activity, yoga and body weight management programs might help curbing the problem.