Assessment Of Psychological Stress Research Articles

Artificial-intelligence-reinforced multimodal electronic skin for psychological stress assessment

Artificial-intelligence-reinforced multimodal electronic skin for psychological stress assessment

Experiences of nurses involved in air ambulance service: A qualitative study

Introduction: Nurses undertaking air ambulance service encounter environmental, equipment, and personnel limitations during their work. Moreover, they must cope with various types of injuries and illnesses, as well as changes in patient conditions. These factors pose a significant pressure on nurses. Currently, there is a lack of qualitative research on the experiences of nurses performing air ambulance tasks. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of nurses undertaking air ambulance service, with a focus on capturing their personal perceptions regarding this field of work. Methods: Twelve nurses were selected using purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The analysis identified three major themes: "Ambiguous and risky emergency missions," "Challenges during air transfer," and "Nurses’ personal limitations.” Eight categories were formulated within these themes, including "Mission uncertainty," “Urgency of medical conditions," “Hazards at high altitude," "Cabin environment limitations," "Inadequate equipment," "Incomprehensive operating mechanisms," "Physical discomfort," and "Recognition of professional shortcomings." Conclusions: Improving the performance and well-being of nurses engaged in air ambulance services necessitates the implementation of a psychological adaptation program. This includes the utilization of psychological stress assessment tools or engaging in role-playing activities. Successful patient rescues demand the establishment of comprehensive standard operating procedures, involving an interprofessional team. Supporting nurses in adeptly managing challenges during air ambulance services requires an expanded scope of education and training, facilitated through initiatives like situational simulation and similar approaches.

Effect of COVID-19 on Stress and Biomarkers: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Anxiety and stress in COVID-19 lead to continual pro-inflammatory cytokine activity resulting in excessive inflammation. Levels of different bio indices of COVID-19 may predict clinical outcomes and the severity of COVID-19 disease and may correlate with anxiety and stress levels. Objectives To measure the level of anxiety in COVID-19 patients using the coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS) as an assessment of psychological stress. To measure the levels of blood biomarkers and biochemical and hematological markers of inflammation in COVID-19. To record and measure the indices of short-term HRV in COVID-19 patients to assess their physiological and psychological stress levels. To determine the relationship between anxiety scores, levels of laboratory indices (blood biomarkers), and HRV parameters across mild, moderateand severe cases of COVID-19. Materialand method A total of 300 COVID-19 patients aged between 18 and 55 years were included. A questionnaire-based CAS was used to assess anxiety levels. Short-term HRV was recorded to measure stress. Blood biomarkers: Biochemical and hemato-cytological markers of inflammation were measured.Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 20.0. Results Anxiety and stress increased with the severity of COVID-19. A positive correlation was detected between anxiety and serum ferritin, IL-6, MCV, and MCH levels, and a negative correlation between the corona anxiety score and RBC count. The increase in the severity of COVID-19 showed elevated levels of WBC count, neutrophil%, platelet count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, serum ferritin, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukin-6, and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased lymphocyte and monocyte percentages. The increase in the severity of COVID-19 decreased lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts. Conclusion The Corona Anxiety Scale and heart rate variability can be used as complementary tools to index COVID-19-related anxiety and stress. An association exists between immune dysregulation and heart rate variability, which can be used to predict the inflammatory response and prognosis of COVID-19.

Effect of Dance Therapy on Stress Among Geriatrics

Stress is a common occurrence in daily life; sometimes, it will be a reaction or sometimes a stimulus. The aim and objective of the study were to assess the stress level among old age people and the effectiveness of dance therapy in reducing stress. "The research design selected for the study was pre-experimental one group pre-test and post-test research design". A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 60 old age people who satisfied the inclusion criteria. The modified psychological stress assessment scale, a standardized measure for assessing the stress level among old age people, was administered to conduct the pre-test and the post-test. This tool contains 30 items. This is a 4-point scale, and the total score is 90. After assessing the pre-test stress level, dance therapy was provided to each sample for 30 days for 45 minutes per day each morning. After 30 days, stress was measured using the same modified psychological stress assessment scale. The Mean of the pre-test and post-test was (61.05) and (25.85), and the Standard Deviation of the pre-test and post-test was (11.89) and (8.27). The Mean difference was (35.2). This showed that there was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test levels of stress scores among old age people. The calculated chi-square value was significant with age, educational status and duration of stay at nursing homes; other variables were not significant. From the study results, it was concluded that Dance Therapy effectively reduced the stress level among geriatrics.

COVID-19 stress syndrome in the German general population: Validation of a German version of the COVID Stress Scales.

The COVID Stress Scales (CSS) are a new self-report instrument for multidimensional assessment of psychological stress in the context of the pandemic. The CSS have now been translated and validated in over 20 languages, but a validated German version has not yet been available. Therefore, the aim was to develop a German version of the CSS, to test its factor structure, reliability, and validity, and to compare it with international studies. In an online survey (08/2020-06/2021), N = 1774 individuals from the German general population (71.5% female; Mage = 41.2 years, SD = 14.2) completed the CSS as well as questionnaires on related constructs and psychopathology. After eight weeks, participants were asked to participate again for the purpose of calculating retest reliability (N = 806). For the German version, the 6-factor structure with good model fit (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, RMSEA = 0.06) was confirmed, with the six subscales: Danger, Socio-Economic Consequences, Xenophobia, Contamination, Traumatic Stress, and Compulsive Checking. Internal consistencies ranged from ω = .82-.94 (except Compulsive Checking ω = .70), and retest reliability from rtt = .62-.82. Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed for the German version. Related constructs such as health anxiety, general xenophobia, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms correlated moderately with the respective subscale and lower with the other scales. With anxiety and depression, Traumatic Stress showed the strongest correlation. Overall, there was a high degree of agreement in an international comparison. The CSS can help to identify pandemic-related psychological stress and to derive appropriate interventions.

A study on psychological stress assessment of higher educational institution's students based on computer data mining technology.

Safety begins in the human mind, and the individual's need for psychological safety is the most fundamental need. This fundamental need takes psychological safety as the starting point for the gradual formation of a connection with the outside world. Graduates are the backbone of China's economic development, and their healthy development is of great significance to the sustainable development of China's economy and society. Excessive psychological pressure may bring pain to students in physical and psychological aspects, and even lead to suicide. If students with abnormal psychological pressure can be found in time, the school can provide help and intervention in time to relieve psychological pressure. This paper uses pressure sensor technology for data collection and data mining techniques for data analysis to assess and predict the psychological stress level of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) students. The results show that this method can accurately and objectively evaluate the psychological stress of the students, and the evaluation results of students' psychological stress are stable, which can provide students with psychological stress assessment services. It implies that HEI's policymakers should consider these techniques to assess the psychological stress of the students proactively.

Assessment of psychological stress among family care takers of cancer subjects in India- A cross-sectional study

Introduction and Aim: A rapid increase in cancer rate is one of major concerns in India. It is a well-known fact that family caretakers play an essential part in aiding cancer subjects who are in critical stage. But the psychological strain and economic impact on caretakers are not widely known. The present cross-sectional study assesses the relationship between various factors and higher burden among family caretakers of cancer subjects. Materials and Methods: One hundred and ninety family caretakers of cancer patients who met inclusion criteria were recruited for study. A proforma was collected regarding the age, gender, social and economic status according to Modified Kuppuswamy Scale 2019, the type of family or the caregiver and their relation to the patient. Results: Monthly income had an inter quartile range of Rs.10,000-25,000 with the median being Rs.14,000. Higher number of males participated (58.4%) as compared to the females (41.6%). Moderate to severe stress (53.3%), and severe stress (6.7%) was maximum in class 5 of the socio-economic classification. Lower income was found to be related to higher burden scores. Conclusion: Present study showed that the burden was more among class 5 of the Kuppuswamy Socioeconomic classification. The findings suggest that education levels, occupation and monthly income are the major contribution for the burden among the caregivers.

The role of employee psychological stress assessment in reducing human resource turnover in enterprises.

In this paper, the model is constructed by measuring the psychological stress condition of employees; the psychological stress condition measurement model analyzes and tests the reasons for reducing human resource turnover in enterprises. In this paper, through the research related to the problem of talent loss in enterprises, we found that enterprises of other ownership often use the talent loss early warning model, to measure the possibility of talent loss in enterprises and issue an early warning, which enables enterprises to solve the talent loss crisis in time and minimize the negative impact of talent loss on enterprises. In this paper, we analyze the causes of human resource attrition risk from a theoretical point of view, construct a system of human resource attrition risk indicators for enterprises, and explain the content of each technical indicator and its measurement method. The PLS structural equation of the HR attrition risk evaluation model is established based on the constructed risk index system. In addition, the analysis of the causes of human resources turnover risk in the company also proposes strategies to avoid and prevent the threat. The PLS structural equation evaluation model of HR turnover risk is applied to various situations of human resource management to analyze the case of the comprehensive evaluation of HR turnover risk to guide the practical application of the model. Therefore, the research results of this paper have significant reference value for enterprises to solve similar human resource attrition problems. At the same time, it will provide a reference for enterprises to improve their human resource diagnostic capability and promote the development of human resource management.

Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Geriatric Stress among the Elderly Population

Stress is major issues for the senior people and most ofthe health problem originates from stress. Stress is a feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the private and social resources, the individual is in a position to mobilize. Aging is an inevitable development phenomenon bringing along variety of changes in the physical, psychological, hormonal, and social condition. Aim of the Study: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on overcoming geriatric stress among elderly population in selected community area. Methodology: A Quantitative, pre-experimental pre-test and post-test design was used. A sample of 50 subjects was selected from selected community area by non-probability convenient sampling technique. The tool used to assess the level of geriatric stress was Modified Bradburn Psychological Stress Assessment Scale, Results: The result shows that Before administering the structured teaching programme, they had level of stress score in pre-test, 39(78%) of elderly were in severe geriatric stress 11(22%) of elderly were in moderate geriatric stress, remaining no one was in mild geriatric stress. After administering the structured teaching programme, they had in post-test, 33(66%) of elderly were to mild geriatric stress, 17(34%) of elderly were moderate geriatric stress, no one in a severe level of geriatric stress. This indicates that the stress level of the elderly reduced remarkably after structured teaching programme. The mean post-test geriatric stress score27.38 was lower than the mean pre-test geriatric stress score 67.6, among samples. There was no significant association between pre-test level of geriatric stress and their selected demographic variables (gender, marital status and sources of income). Conclusion: The findings showed that structured teaching programme had a positive effect on level of stress among elderly in selected areas and improved the signs of physical, psychological as well as their social function

Assessment of psychological stress in emergency nurses: a descriptive study

IntroductionEmergency unit nurses face many stress factors at the same time. The mood of nurses who frequently face unforeseen difficulties and crisis situations such as sudden death, serious illness, trauma, overcrowding, exposure to violence is also highly affected by these negative developments. This research was conducted descriptively to examine the stress and related psychological problems experienced by nurses working in emergency units.Material and methodsA data collection form with 50 questions was prepared by the researchers to examine the psychological effects of work stress on nurses. The authors chose 120 nurses and 120 administrative worker working in Hospital Emergency Department of Shatrah, Dhi-Qar City in Iraq to answer questions about the psychological effects of emergency service work, and to complete the Rapid Stress Assessment scale. Then, the individual experienced stress was evaluated with the Perceived Stress Status (PSS) scale, which was translated and validated in Arabic language.ResultsThe nurses had higher scores of stress measured by the RSA scale, anxiety, depression, and somatization than administrative workers (p < 0.05). The total score of PSS in nurses (26.57 ±3.82) was slightly higher compared with that among the administrative employees (21.42 ±3.64); this difference was statistically significant between the groups (p = 0.036).ConclusionsImproving work conditions could decrease the stress felt by emergency nurses. It is necessary to improve the conditions and to reduce the duration of nurses’ work, to increase the number of nurses in emergency departments, to institutionalize the nursing profession, to pay attention to specialized education, and to improve economic conditions.

Assessment of ergonomics to study the correlation between physical and psychological factors with prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in practicing dentists.

Musculoskeletal disorders are very commonly seen in dentists. These disorders can hinder their clinical practice and at times results in severe complications leading to an early retirement. The aim of this study is to find a correlation between physical and psychological factors with the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in practicing dentists. This study is a culmination of two fields of medicine, physiotherapy and dentistry, thus proving to be of significant value in terms of interdisciplinary approach to healthcare. The sample size consisted of 50 dentists. It was an observational cross-sectional study with a questionnaire divided into three sections. Inclusion and exclusion criteria includes Section 1 - Demographic data and basic questions related to the aim of the study. Section 2 - Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire. Section 3 - General Health Questionnaire-12 for assessment of psychological stress. Wrong posture, existing physical illness, lack of exercise and increases levels of psychological stress increase the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders.This study could be used to implement better treatment options to dentists suffering from musculoskeletal disorders considering both physical and mental factors. It is very important to increase the awareness of ergonomics and the influence of psychological stress in practicing dentists so that they can avoid these disorders and provide a high-quality treatment to their patients without any hindrance in their professional careers due to these disorders.

Assessment of Psychological Stress Associated with COVID-19 Lockdown in the Urban Adult Population of India

Background: COVID-19, the unprecedented deadly pandemic has turned the world topsy-turvy. It has affected all the people like poor and rich, young and old, educated and uneducated, male and female with detrimental consequences. People who are in quarantine and/or lockdown are likely to develop a wide range of symptoms like psychological stress, irritability, anxiety, depression etc. Hence, this study was undertaken to assess the psychological effects of COVID-19 lockdown among adult population residing in Chennai, India. This study is a cross sectional descriptive study carried out in Chennai, India. A structured questionnaire was developed containing 25 questions related to the emotional disturbance, depression, self-concept, physical problems, cognitive changes and role performance and 7 questions related to the demographics. An online survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire using a non-probability snowball sampling technique. A total of 579 responses were received. The findings of the present study revealed that, among 579 respondents, more than half of the respondents 320(56.3%)were under severe psychological stress, 192(33.2%) respondents that is one third of the people had moderate psychological stress and remaining were having mild psychological stress. The study also revealed that there was a statistically significant association of psychological problems associated with demographic variables. Our Study revealed that people living in Chennai had severe psychological problem due to theCOVID-19 lockdown. This highlights the importance and immediate need for the development special intervention programmes for the people with psychological problems due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Assessment of Psychological Stress among Quarantined COVID-19 Patients

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been causing a worldwide pandemic since the end of 2019. This study looked at the mental health of COVID-19 patients who had been quarantined. This cross-sectional study included fifty COVID - 19 patients who were under quarantine. Online self-reported questionnaires were used in the study. Demographic data and an inventory of pandemic-related stress factors (PRSF) were used to analyse COVID-19-related stress domains. The quarantined COVID - 19 patients had pandemic related stress among themselves. Lack of knowledge about infectiveness and virulence (78%), sleep disorders (94%), financial concerns (92 %) and feeling isolated and avoidance by others (90%) were the most common stressors. Eighty two percent of the patients felt that they were being protected by the family and relatives and only 48% felt that the government is taking the responsibility of protecting them. The findings show that COVID-19 patients in quarantine reported severe psychological distress. As a result, this study urge that required measures be taken to alleviate COVID-19 patients stress, with special focus paid to patients perceptions of stigma and coping techniques.

Psychological stress and health-related quality of life among tuberculosis patients: a prospective cohort study.

Economic, social and psychological distress is common in individuals affected by tuberculosis (TB). However, the magnitude of distress, psychological interventions and their effect on the treatment outcomes are often under-evaluated. We examined the level of psychological stress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of such patients and the effect of antituberculosis therapy on them. Our prospective cohort study included newly diagnosed adult pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB patients. Assessment of psychological stress was done using the seven-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder questionnaire for anxiety and the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depression. HRQoL was assessed by using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Of the 86 patients studied, 21 (24.4%) had anxiety symptoms at the baseline, which reduced to 5.8% and 1.2% at 2 months and treatment completion, respectively (p<0.001). Among the subjects, 18 (20.9%) patients had depression, which reduced to 7% and 2.3% at 2 months and treatment completion, respectively (p<0.001). All the mean domain scores of HRQoL were poor at the baseline, which showed improvement at treatment completion (p<0.001). Anxiety and depression were common among TB patients, and there was significant progressive reduction during and after treatment. TB had remarkable negative impacts on HRQoL, with the physical domain being the most affected, and all the domain scores showed significant improvement at treatment completion. Routine screening for depression and anxiety and timely referral to a psychiatrist are required in TB patients to improve the outcome of the disease and quality of life.

173 The Bidirectional Relationships Between Sleep, Psychological Stress, and Negative Mood in Daily Life among Healthy Latinx Adults

Abstract Introduction While psychological stress is adversely linked to sleep, the bidirectional and temporal relationships between sleep and psychological stress in the context of daily life are largely understudied, particularly among Latinxs. We examined the bidirectional relationships between daily sleep duration, sleep quality, perceived stress, and negative mood in Latinx adults. Methods Between 2016-2019, healthy Latinxs (N=42), defined as those without any major physical or psychiatric morbidities, and free from polysomnography-assessed sleep disorders, were recruited from a community sample in New York. Participants naïve to study hypotheses completed 40 consecutive days of actigraphy and ecological momentary assessment of psychological stress and negative mood (depressed, anxious mood) using a 0 (not at all) to 10 (extremely) scale, contributing 1713 observations. Daily sleep duration was measured via wrist-actigraphy, and perceived daily sleep quality (1[very bad] to 4[very good]) was assessed via morning self-report. Sources of daily stress, including sociocultural stress, were collected once each evening. Multi-level modeling was used to examine within-person effects and temporal associations with adjustment for day of the week. Results Mean age=37.2 (SD=11.8), 69.1% women, 36.6% unemployed, 64.3% immigrant, and 38.1% Spanish-speaking. Non-specific stress (43%), work (28%), and family/relationship (21%) stress were the most common sources of daily stress. Discrimination and immigration stress were rarely reported as daily sources of stress (1.2%). Mean nightly sleep duration was 403.9 minutes (±81.3). Preliminary lagged linear mixed models indicated that a 60-minute increase in sleep duration during the night predicted a -.12 change in stress ratings (SE=.001,p&amp;lt;.0001) the next day, as well as -.06 change in anxious mood (SE=.001,p=.003). Better perceived sleep quality on a 4-point scale during the night predicted lower stress ratings (ß=-.11,SE=.05,p=.04) and less anxious mood (ß=-.13,SE=.05,p=.01) the next day. A one-point higher rating of depressed mood during the day predicted a -.03 decrease in perceived sleep quality that night (SE=.01,p&amp;lt;.05). Conclusion Overall, these results imply distinct associations of sleep with both anxiety and depressed mood. Longer sleep duration and improved perceived sleep quality were associated with subsequent decreased stress and anxiety. Increased depressed mood predicted worse sleep quality that night. Future research should identify the mechanisms of action for these differential associations. Support (if any):

Biological and Psychological Stress Correlates Are Linked to Glucose Metabolism, Obesity, and Gender Roles in Women

Objectives: Psychological stress affects central as well as peripheral metabolism and hormone trafficking via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Stress thereby plays a decisive role in the etiology and progression of overweight and obesity, leading to several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and mental health disorders. The interplay of biological and psychometric correlates of stress, anthropometric, immunological, and metabolic parameters and psychosocial factors such as gender roles, however, remains poorly understood. Methods: In this exploratory study, 43 healthy women were assessed for glucose metabolism by an oral glucose tolerance test and computation of functional parameters for insulin secretion, sensitivity, and resistance. Further, the fatty liver index (FLI) and anthropometric parameters body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, body fat, and lean mass were assessed. Psychological stress assessment included the “Brief Symptom Inventory” (BSI), the “Burnout Dimensions Inventory” (BODI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Biological stress response was evaluated with heart rate variability and cortisol levels. Finally, gender role self-identification was assessed with the “Bem Sex-Role Inventory” (BSRI). Generalized linear models were computed for exploratory association with psychometric outcome. Uncorrected p values are reported. Results: Burnout and PSS scores were associated with insulin secretion, sputum cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, anthropometric measures, and gender role. BSI ratings for psychiatric symptom dimensions were associated with insulin resistance, sex hormones, anthropometric measures, and gender role. Female self-identification was associated with higher BMI as well as body fat and a higher FLI. Conclusions: Considering the increased risk of unfavorable metabolic, cardiovascular, and also mental health outcome in obese women, a higher BMI in women with predominant female gender self-identification may be relevant for clinical risk assessment. The broad range of interacting biological, psychological, and gender-related parameters calls for an integrative management of both mental and endocrinological health. However, the exploratory nature of the study requires replication in larger samples before definite conclusion can be drawn.

2019nCoVAS: Developing the Web Service for Epidemic Transmission Prediction, Genome Analysis, and Psychological Stress Assessment for 2019-nCoV.

Since the COVID-19 epidemic is still expanding around the world and poses a serious threat to human life and health, it is necessary for us to carry out epidemic transmission prediction, whole genome sequence analysis, and public psychological stress assessment for 2019-nCoV. However, transmission prediction models are insufficiently accurate and genome sequence characteristics are not clear, and it is difficult to dynamically assess the public psychological stress state under the 2019-nCoV epidemic. Therefore, this study develops a 2019nCoVAS web service (http://www.combio-lezhang.online/2019ncov/home.html) that not only offers online epidemic transmission prediction and lineage-associated underrepresented permutation (LAUP) analysis services to investigate the spreading trends and genome sequence characteristics, but also provides psychological stress assessments based on such an emotional dictionary that we built for 2019-nCoV. Finally, we discuss the shortcomings and further study of the 2019nCoVAS web service.

Short report: factors determining perceived stress among medical staff in radiology departments during the COVID-19 outbreak

ABSTRACT Medical staff in radiology departments faces a higher risk of infection and a heavier workload during the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. High perceived stress levels endanger physical and mental health and affect work efficiency and patient safety. Therefore, it is urgent to understand the perceived stress levels of medical staff and explore its risk factors. We recruited 600 medical staff from the radiology departments of 32 public hospitals in Sichuan Province, China, to evaluate perceived stress scores via a mobile app-based questionnaire. The results showed that the perceived stress level among medical staff in the radiology departments during the COVID-19 outbreak was high and a sense of tension was strongly present. A positive correlation was found between anxiety score and perceived stress. Multivariate analysis showed that risk factors for perceived stress were female, existing anxiety, and fears of being infected at work, an uncontrollable outbreak, and not being able to pay rent or mortgage. Conversely, good knowledge about COVID-19, being unmarried, and working in a higher-grade hospital were protective factors for perceived stress. Therefore, more attention should be given to medical staff in the radiology departments that present the risk factors outlined above. Timely risk assessment of psychological stress and effective intervention measures should be taken for these high-risk groups to keep their perceived stress within normal limits.

Yield of a Public Health Screening of Children for Islet Autoantibodies in Bavaria, Germany

Public health screening for type 1 diabetes in its presymptomatic stages may reduce disease severity and burden on a population level. To determine the prevalence of presymptomatic type 1 diabetes in children participating in a public health screening program for islet autoantibodies and the risk for progression to clinical diabetes. Screening for islet autoantibodies was offered to children aged 1.75 to 5.99 years in Bavaria, Germany, between 2015 and 2019 by primary care pediatricians during well-baby visits. Families of children with multiple islet autoantibodies (presymptomatic type 1 diabetes) were invited to participate in a program of diabetes education, metabolic staging, assessment of psychological stress associated with diagnosis, and prospective follow-up for progression to clinical diabetes until July 31, 2019. Measurement of islet autoantibodies. The primary outcome was presymptomatic type 1 diabetes, defined by 2 or more islet autoantibodies, with categorization into stages 1 (normoglycemia), 2 (dysglycemia), or 3 (clinical) type 1 diabetes. Secondary outcomes were the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis and parental psychological stress, assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (range, 0-27; higher scores indicate worse depression; ≤4 indicates no to minimal depression; >20 indicates severe depression). Of 90 632 children screened (median [interquartile range {IQR}] age, 3.1 [2.1-4.2] years; 48.5% girls), 280 (0.31%; 95% CI, 0.27-0.35) had presymptomatic type 1 diabetes, including 196 (0.22%) with stage 1, 17 (0.02%) with stage 2, 26 (0.03%) with stage 3, and 41 who were not staged. After a median (IQR) follow-up of 2.4 (1.0-3.2) years, another 36 children developed stage 3 type 1 diabetes. The 3-year cumulative risk for stage 3 type 1 diabetes in the 280 children with presymptomatic type 1 diabetes was 24.9% ([95% CI, 18.5%-30.7%]; 54 cases; annualized rate, 9.0%). Two children had diabetic ketoacidosis. Median (IQR) psychological stress scores were significantly increased at the time of metabolic staging in mothers of children with presymptomatic type 1 diabetes (3 [1-7]) compared with mothers of children without islet autoantibodies (2 [1-4]) (P = .002), but declined after 12 months of follow-up (2 [0-4]) (P < .001). Among children aged 2 to 5 years in Bavaria, Germany, a program of primary care-based screening showed an islet autoantibody prevalence of 0.31%. These findings may inform considerations of population-based screening of children for islet autoantibodies.

Psychological Stressors and Their Relationships to Defense Mechanisms and Somatoform Disorders among An- Najah and Birzeit Universities Students

This study aimed to identify the levels of psychological stress and the most common defense mechanisms. Revealing the level of somatoform disorders among An- Najah National University and Birzeit students. This study also sought to detect the relations among these three variables, and effects of some demographic variables of (gender, college, university, living place, academic year, economical level) have been examined at this study in the psychological stress, defense mechanisms, and somatoform disorders, To achieve these goals, the researcher built and developed three instruments tools are: psychological stress scale, defense mechanisms scale, somatoform disorders scale. Reliability and validity of these scales have been verified and results show that, They are valid to use, The research population consists of all students of An- Najah National University and Birzeit University in Palestine, the study sample consists of (300) students from both universities, the sample have been chosen with stratified random method, and the researcher used the correlative descriptive method, The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), suitable statistical processors have been used to answer the study questions. The study comes out with many results, the assessment of psychological stress represented by life, family, social, academic, and economical stress was intermediate. The assessment of political stress was low. The assessment of extent of using defense mechanisms represented by inhibition, projection, regression, denial, and reaction formation was intermediate, also the assessment of the range of having a somatoform disorders was intermediate, there were a positive correlation relation and it was statistically significant among all of the study variables which represented by somatoform disorders and psychological stress with different sources (life, family, social, academic, economical, and political factors) on psychological defense mechanisms (inhibition, projection, regression, denial, and reaction formation). The results showed that the variable of gender has an effect in the extent of using reaction formation mechanisms at (α = 0.01), while there were no effection in the rest of dependent variables represented by inhibition, projection, and denial mechanisms, and physical disorders, life, family social, academic, economical, political stresses. The results also indicated that males most likely to use the defense of reaction formation more than females, On the other have the variable of the college (natural sciences, and human sciences) has an effect in reaction formation mechanisms at the alpha level (α=0.05), in favor of human sciences students. The effect of college variable on somatoform disorders at (α= 0.01) was in favor for natural sciences students, while it did not affect the other variables, Based by on these results; the researcher recommendes to increase the awareness using brochures, TV channels, and the internet to make sure that students don't have to use defense mechanisms a lot as they are connected to have somatoform disorders. The students and those who have the responsibility to take care of them, have to find constructive outlets to reduce psychological stresses, have a good management and know how to deal with them as they are also connected to the somatoform disorders infection.