Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic as a global mental health crisis has affected everyone, including students. The present study aimed to determine and investigate the relationship between health locus of control and perceived stress in students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences (southern Iran) during the outbreak of COVID-19.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study examined 250 students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. We performed simple random sampling and utilized the demographic information form, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale (MHLCS) by Wallston, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) by Cohen to collect data. We analyzed data using the SPSS, Pearson correlation coefficient, and the hierarchical regression model with an error level of 5%.ResultsThe mean perceived stress was 30.74 ± 8.09, and 92.4% of the students had moderate and high stress levels. Among the components of the health locus of control, the internal health locus of control (IHLC) had the highest mean in students (27.55 ± 3.81). Furthermore, the internal health locus of control (R = − 0.30, P < 0.001) had a significant inverse relationship, with perceived stress and the chance health locus of control (CHLC) (R = 0.30, P < 0.001) had a significant direct relationship. In the final regression model, the health locus of control and all the variables predicted 22.7% of the perceived stress variation in students during the COVID-19 period.ConclusionThe results indicated that the internal health locus of control was associated with a reduction of perceived stress, and the powerful others health locus of control (PHLC) was related to its increase in students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the uncertain future, in the present work, universities are suggested to design web-based educational interventions alongside the curriculum to further strengthen the internal health locus of control and thus help reduce their perceived stress.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic as a global mental health crisis has affected everyone, including students
90.8% reported no history of psychological problems under treatment, and 87.2% believed that their measures taken to prevent the coronavirus, were sufficient and appropriate (Table 1)
Comparison of perceived stress score between demographic variables As you can see in Table 1, academic year, income level, feeling quarantined at home, up-to-date information about coronavirus, a history of mental illness, and living in high-risk environments have a significant relationship with perceived stress levels
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic as a global mental health crisis has affected everyone, including students. Higher psychological vulnerability in students is due to serious changes in student life, lower interactions with groups of friends and peers, challenges of e-learning, concerns about the quality of education, concerns regarding the future of work and education, and challenges with family due to long time presence at home [10,11,12]. Among these negative consequences in students’ mental health is an increase in their perceived stress, which is somehow related to an individual’s mental judgment of life events [12, 13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
