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

Abstract

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.