Higher Levels Of Perceived Stress Research Articles

Factors associated with postpartum depressive symptoms among women who conceived with infertility treatment

Infertility treatment experiences may accumulate and influence postpartum psychological well-being among women with infertility. However, the association between infertility treatment experiences and postpartum depressive symptoms remained unclear. This cross-sectional survey aimed to describe depressive symptom scores of 180 women, who conceived while undergoing infertility treatment, at 2–6 months after childbirth, and to explore factors, including infertility history and treatment experiences, associated with postpartum depressive symptoms. Data were collected via telephone interviews and patient record reviews. Postpartum depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, with a cutoff score of 10. The prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms was 34.4 %. Higher perceived stress levels after childbirth than before undergoing infertility treatment, a duration of infertility diagnosis longer than three years, maternal age >35 years, pregnancy conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and experiencing all three lines of infertility treatment, namely ovarian stimulation, intrauterine insemination, and IVF, were associated with a higher risk of postpartum depressive symptoms. Breastfeeding, social support, and baby sex in line with stated preference were negatively associated with postpartum depressive symptoms. There were no significant interactions between the variables. The women's infertility history and treatment experiences were found to have influenced their postpartum depressive symptoms, especially among women who had a long duration of infertility, conceived through IVF, and had received all lines of infertility treatment.

Adding fuel to the fire: The impact of stress on decision-making in dilemmas among emergency service personnel

IntroductionCertain professions are particularly exposed to stress and must make decisions with far-reaching consequences. Recent research indicates that stress alters subsequent decision-making. The two current studies examine the predictive effect of perceived stress and leadership responsibility on moral decision-making among emergency service personnel. ObjectiveWe hypothesized that under high levels of perceived stress, fewer utilitarian and fewer altruistic decisions are made. Utilitarian decisions involve saving the lives of more people while sacrificing a smaller number of people. Altruistic decisions lead to outcomes that benefit others rather than oneself. Furthermore, we hypothesized that leaders under high levels of perceived stress make more utilitarian and altruistic decisions than non-leaders. MethodTwo different samples (N1=368; N2=562) were exposed to two different types of moral dilemmas (Sample 1: sacrificial dilemmas, Sample 2: everyday dilemmas). Stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale. The hypotheses were tested with hierarchical regression analysis. ResultsAs hypothesized, in sacrificial dilemmas, high perceived stress levels predicted a decrease in utilitarian decisions. Moreover, highly stressed leaders made more utilitarian decisions compared to non-leaders. In everyday dilemmas, high-perceived stress levels predicted fewer altruistic decisions. No moderating effect of leadership responsibility was observed. ConclusionOur results indicate that perceived stress predicts moral decision-making among emergency service personnel.

Daha Yüksek Algılanan Stres, DEHB’nin Öznel Bildirimini Artırır: Tıp Fakültesi Öğrencileri Örneklemi

This study aimed to evaluate the subjective Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms with self-reported ratings and objective neurocognitive tests among medical students. Also, we examined to identify the psychological factors that predict ADHD reporting among medical students. Medical students (N=57) completed self-report questionnaires, and neurocognitive tests were conducted for attention measures. Participants had a mean age of 20.3 years, and 69.0% were female. High levels of perceived stress, state-trait anxiety, and current and childhood ADHD symptoms were possible risk factors; however, only higher perceived stress was a risk factor for the possibility of reporting themselves as ADHD in medical school students [odds ratio [OR] =1.184, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.015; 1.381]]. Higher perceived stress levels, the more reported ADHD subjectively in medical students. Objective attention measures had no impact on reporting ADHD subjectively. Screening for perceived stress is necessary for medical students, especially those with subjective ADHD symptoms.

Empathy and psychological concerns among medical students in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being in direct contact with COVID-19 patients for long periods of time increases the risk of infection among frontline workers. The purpose of this study was to identify levels of empathy and psychological concern among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online cross-sectional study was conducted among medical interns divided into two groups; those who worked in the frontline (n = 87) and non-frontline (n = 63) during the COVID pandemic. The students completed a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics as well as the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire. The majority of study respondents were women (70.7%) and mean age was 25.45 ± 3.93years. In the unadjusted analysis, those who worked with COVID-19 patients had higher levels of empathy, stress, burnout syndrome and depressive symptoms. In the logistic regression analysis, students who worked on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher levels of empathy (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.16-1.14), stress (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.05-1.39) and burnout syndrome (OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.10-1.30). Medical students in the internship period who worked on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic had more psychological concerns and higher levels of empathy compared to those who did not work on the frontline.

Sleep Quality, Perceived Stress and Body Mass Index in Adolescent College Students- Cross- Sectional Study

Aim: To assess the sleep quality, perceived stress and body mass index in adolescent college students- a cross-sectional study. Methodology: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in various aptitude training/Entrance test centers. The ERB of this study was taken from KM&DC in 2018 Karachi. The duration of the study was two months in 2021. The 498 students were enrolled, and intake of antipsychotic drugs was excluded from this study. The two scales (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Perceived Stress Scale) and Body Mass Index were calculated as weight divided by height [kg/ m2]. For analysis, all qualitative variables were expressed as counts with percentages. Pearson Chi-Square test was used to check the association of perceived stress levels concerning studied baseline qualitative data sets. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean values of sleep, perceived stress, body mass index, and age were 10.74±4.03, 21±10, 15.53±3.5 and 18±0.83 respectively. Poor sleep (96.3%), moderate level of stress (42.1%), and underweight (79.6%) were present in participants. Duration of sleep did not show a significant (>0.05) association with perceived stress and also mean perceived stress did not show a significant association (>0.05) with Sleeping Habits. Practical Implication: This study would be helpful for early diagnosing and early prevention of the effects of poor sleep and higher perceived stress levels on body mass index (underweight or obesity) in college students. Conclusion: Sleep disturbances, stress, and obesity can be predicted early and prevented or coped with early in students. Keywords: Adolescent, Body Mass Index, College Students, Obesity, Perceived Stress, Sleep Quality,sleep duration.

Bird Sounds Psychological Restorative Effect on The Visitors of Bogor Botanical Garden

Stress can be defined as psychological and physical tension caused by physical, emotional, social, economic, and occupational, events, or experiences that are difficult to manage or endure. Bird sounds can be a potential solution to reduce stress levels. This study aimed to analyze the effect of bird sounds as a stress restorative on Bogor Botanical Garden visitors. A survey of 100 visitors of Bogor Botanical Garden was conducted based on the Perceived Stress Scale and Perceived Restorativeness Soundscape Scale. Data on respondent characteristics were analyzed using descriptive analysis, the relationship between stress levels and perceived stress restorative effect of bird sound was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. The analysis showed that 78% of respondents had moderate to high perceived stress levels and 98% of respondents rated the degree of restoration from bird sounds to be moderate to high. The correlation analysis revealed a negative relationship between the stress level and bird sounds' perceived restorative effect. The older the respondents and the more frequently they visited Bogor Botanical Garden, the higher the perceived stress restorative effect from bird sound.

Work-Related Stress as a Risk Factor for Farm Injuries in the Central United States

Highlights Operators reporting stress had 1.9 times as many injuries per year compared to those who did not report stress. Stress, sleep deprivation, and fatigue showed a similar positive association with injuries. Hearing loss and exposure to animal and/or chemical-based allergens were also risk factors for injury. Musculoskeletal pain/discomfort was strongly associated with injuries, making it a potential risk factor or a consequence. Abstract. This study evaluated the association of self-reported occupational stress and injury among farm and ranch operators in the central United States. Randomly sampled operators received mail surveys with questions related to injuries, chronic health conditions, work exposures, and preventive measures in 2018 and 2020. Injury risk factors were analyzed using Poisson regression analysis. Out of 6,744 participants, 836 (12%) reported at least one injury in the past 12 months and 1,766 (26%) reported work-related stress. The percentage of those reporting stress was 24% among those with no injuries, 36% among those with one injury, and 66% among those with two or more injuries. Similar percentages across the three injury categories were found for sleep deprivation (21%, 30%, and 51%) and fatigue (25%, 39%, and 66%). A high perceived stress level was a risk factor for injury in the final adjusted model (adjusted Rate Ratio (aRR): 1.93, 95% CI: 1.65 to 2.25) when controlling for hearing loss (aRR: 1.25, CI: 1.25 to 1.75) and exposure to animal and/or chemical based allergens (aRR: 1.49, CI: 1.17 to 1.91). With musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) in the model, the association of stress and injuries was attenuated (aRR: 1.54, CI: 1.32 to 1.79) while MSS had a strong association with injuries (aRR: 3.79, CI: 3.00 to 4.78). Stress, sleep deprivation, and fatigue were associated with injuries in a dose-response manner. Preventing injuries among farmers and ranchers requires a focus on stress reduction and related health conditions. Keywords: Agriculture, Fatigue, Hearing Loss, Injury, Musculoskeletal discomfort, Stress.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Perceived Stress, Well-Being and Their Relations with Work-Related Behaviours among Hong Kong School Leaders during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The health and well-being of school leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic have been largely neglected compared to the health and well-being of students and teachers. This study assessed the magnitude of perceived stress and well-being and the associated factors, including number of working hours, work-related sense of coherence (work-SoC), perceived stress, self-endangering work behaviour, secondary burnout symptoms, and satisfaction with work, among school leaders in Hong Kong, China during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional, survey-based study collected demographic data and mental health measurements from 259 eligible school leaders in Hong Kong from April 2021 to February 2022. Pearson's correlation analyses, multilinear regression models, and independent-samples Student's t-tests were performed. The findings revealed that school leaders' perceived stress was negatively correlated with their well-being (r = -0.544, p < 0.01) and work-related SoC (r = -0.327, p < 0.01) but positively correlated with their extensification of work (r = 0.473, p < 0.01), exhaustion related to work situations (r = 0.559, p < 0.01), and psychosomatic complaints (r = 0.439, p < 0.01). In a model that adjusted for gender and age, student leaders with higher subjective well-being scores had a lower level of perceived stress (B = -0.031; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.59, -0.02; p = 0.034), whereas leaders in schools with a larger student population had a higher level of perceived stress (B = 0.002; 95% CI, 0.000, 0.003; p = 0.030). School leaders with a higher likelihood of performing the self-endangering work behaviour of 'intensification of work' had higher perceived stress levels (B = 1.497; 95% CI, 0.717, 2.278; p < 0.001). School leaders with a higher work-related SoC (B = 4.20; 95% CI, 1.290, 7.106; p = 0.005) had a higher level of well-being. School leaders with higher levels of perceived stress (B = -0.734; 95% CI, -1.423, -0.044; p = 0.037), a higher likelihood of performing the self-endangering work behaviour of 'extensification of work' (B = -4.846; 95% CI, -8.543, -1.149; p = 0.010), and a higher score for exhaustion related to work (B = -10.449; 95% CI, -13.864, -7.033; p = 0.000) showed lower levels of well-being. The finding of a high incidence of stress among school leadership justifies the need for more societal attention to the well-being of school leaders in Hong Kong. It is important that policies and initiatives are designed to enhance the well-being of school leaders and that they are supported in leading the management of schools and coping with stress in school settings.

DISTANCE EDUCATION PROCESS EXPERIENCES AND PERCEIVED STRESS LEVELS OF HEALTH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

It was aimed to investigate the distance education process experiences of health school students at the end of the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic and the relationship of these experiences with their perceived stress levels (PSLs). This descriptive study was conducted as an e-survey in March 2021 in Kırklareli (N=929). Those who had difficulty in concentrating on courses forgot the subjects taught quickly, and had difficulty in learning the programs used in the distance education system, those who had communication problems with the instructors, could not express their opinions freely, and did not find the distance education system as effective as face-to-face education, those who said that the uncertainty of the distance education process negatively affected their professional skills had higher perceived stress levels (p

The mediating role of perceived stress between smartphone dependency and psychological well-being among college students

Psychological well-being is one of the main elements in students’ life, especially for successful adaptation to the college environment. Determining what factors influence students’ psychological-well may provide valuable insights and ideas for the development of intervention programs. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the association between life events, smartphone dependency, perceived stress, and psychological well-being and whether perceived stress mediates the association between smartphone dependency and psychological well-being. Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses with bootstrapped mediation were used to analyze the data in this study. The results show that life events were positively associated with perceived stress and that smartphone dependency was associated with higher perceived stress levels. Then, perceived stress was found negatively correlated with psychological well-being. However, smartphone dependency was not associated with psychological well-being. The bootstrapped analysis indicated that perceived stress fully mediated the association between smartphone dependency and psychological well-being. In summary, this study is significant for practitioners in well-being fields, such as counselors and educators, to promote students’ well-being in higher education. Keywords: Life events, perceived stress, psychological well-being, smartphone dependency.

Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on Menstrual Cycle: A Cross-Sectional Study From Karachi, Pakistan.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease triggered a worldwide health catastrophe. To deal with this deadly situation multiple vaccines were developed and a mass immunization program started globally. However, vaccine hesitancy was seen, especially among women of reproductive age, having concerns that the vaccine might affect their menstrual cycle. This study investigated the link between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual abnormalities. It is essential for us to understand the effects of vaccines on menstruation as menstrual distress can have effects on everyday life, and mental and reproductive health.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed using self-administered online forms to collect data from all over Karachi. The sample included 384 females aged 18 years and above. The data were collected from November 2021 to February 2022.ResultsMajority of the participants were aged 21 years and had a normal body mass index (BMI). Most were moderately stressed (n=245) with 146 reporting menstrual changes post-vaccination. The difference between the post-vaccine menstruation affected (n=146) and the unaffected cohort (n=238) was significant. Other factors which likely contributed to the post-vaccine menstrual changes included Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score, strenuous physical activity, and the pre-vaccine menstrual flow.ConclusionsAmong the women vaccinated for COVID-19, strenuous physical activity and high perceived stress levels affected the menstrual cycle. There is no denying that existing data are inadequate, which is one of the grounds for vaccination apprehension, particularly among menstruating women. To minimize this hesitation, the spread of disinformation about the vaccine's influence on the menstrual cycle must be avoided. In future research and clinical trials, menstruation-related side effects should also be investigated when developing vaccines.

Sex effects in the interaction of acute stress and pain perception.

A reciprocity between the stress and the pain system is recognized; however, the manner by which sex affects this reciprocity is unclear. Understanding the interactions of stress, pain, and sex may shed light on the apparent women's vulnerability to chronic pain, which often coexists with increased distress, and to affective disorders, which often coexist with chronic pain. The study's aim was to examine the effect of acute, validated, psychosocial stress on pain perception and modulation of women and men in a controlled manner. Participants were 82 women and 66 men. Heat-pain threshold, heat-pain tolerance, and pain modulation by temporal summation of pain (TSP), and pain adaptation were measured before and after exposure to the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST) or to a sham task. The stress response was verified by perceived ratings of stress and anxiety, autonomic variables, and salivary cortisol. A significant stress response was obtained by the MIST among both sexes; however, women displayed a greater increase in perceived distress, and men displayed a greater increase in cortisol. Among women, TSP decreased and pain adaptation increased following the MIST, responses that were predicted by perceived distress levels. Among men, TSP increased following the MIST but was not predicted by the stress variables. In conclusion, acute stress manipulation seems to differentially affect both stress and pain responses of women and men: women exhibited stress-induced antinociception and men exhibited stress-induced pronociception. Higher perceived stress levels among women may trigger a temporary increase in pain inhibition mechanisms to serve evolutionary purposes.

Examination of the effect of the perceived stress in the coronavirus-19 pandemic on marital adjustment, sexual life and intimate partner violence.

AimsThe aim of the study was to explore the effects of perceived stress during the pandemic on marital adjustment, sexual life and intimate partner violence.DesignA cross‐sectional design was employed in this study.MethodsThe data were collected with an online survey between October and December 2020 from 901 participants in Turkey. Participants completed the Descriptive Information Form, the Marital Adjustment Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale. Multivariate analysis of variance and moderation analysis were used in the analysis of the data.ResultsThe pre‐pandemic marital adjustment scores of the participants significantly decreased during the pandemic. The marital adjustment and sexual life of those with high perceived stress levels were found to be negatively affected, and they were exposed to violence during the pandemic. In the moderation analysis, a non‐standardized coefficient of the marital adjustment variable in the model turned out to be significant, and the perceived stress decreased as marital adjustment increased. The marital adjustment was low, and the stress level was high in individuals exposed to violence. Besides, perceived stress was found to be effective in being exposed to intimate partner violence.ConclusionThe stress perceived by individuals during the COVID‐19 pandemic negatively affected their marital adjustment and sexual life. Besides, perceived stress was found to be effective in being exposed to intimate partner violence, and marital adjustment decreased during the pandemic compared to the pre‐pandemic period.ImpactDuring the pandemic period, health care providers should routinely screen the psychosocial health of individuals. Continuous, accessible, free psychosocial support services should be available in order to increase the psychosocial health and marital adjustment of people with high‐stress levels and prevent exposure to violence.Patient or Public ContributionThe conduct of this study is based on an online survey with participants living in the same house with their spouses during the pandemic.

Daily Meditation Practice for Managing Glaucoma Patients' Attitudes and Acceptance.

Overall, 63% of glaucoma patients agreed to 45-60 minutes of daily meditation. Predictors of accepting meditation included previous meditation practice, a diagnosis of glaucoma <1 year, and having a marital status of "single". To explore patients' acceptance and barriers towards 45-60 minutes daily meditation for glaucoma management and to identify glaucoma patients with higher perceived stress levels who may benefit more from meditation practice. Glaucoma patients attending the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia outpatient department were invited to complete a patient survey. This survey explored if patients would agree to 45-60 minutes of daily meditation and included the Determinants of Meditation Practice Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale questionnaires. Questionnaire scores were compared across participants' clinical and demographic characteristics using Student t test, ANOVA, and multiple-linear-regression analysis. Of the 123 eligible patients screened, 100 completed the survey (81.3%). Sixty-three (63%) patients would agree to 45-60 minutes of daily meditation if advised by their doctor. Univariate analysis showed increased acceptance of meditation (lower Determinants of Meditation Practice Inventory scores) to be associated with agreeing to meditate 45-60 minutes daily ( P =0.002), currently or previously practicing meditation ( P =0.006 and P =0.0004 respectively), and having a marital status as "single" ( P =0.02). Multivariate regression analysis showed previous meditation practice and a glaucoma diagnosis of <1 year to be predictive of accepting meditation ( P =0.01 and P =0.03 respectively). There were no predictive factors of Perceived Stress Scale scores. Given the high acceptance rate of 45-60 minutes daily meditation (63% of glaucoma patients sampled), this may be recommended for the benefit of patients. Patients who have previously meditated, have a relatively new diagnosis of glaucoma, and are single (marital status) were more accepting of meditation practice.

Mental Health Status of University Students and Working Professionals during the Early Stage of COVID-19 in Bangladesh.

A novel coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 has spread globally and brought a public health emergency to all nations. To respond to the pandemic, the Bangladesh Government imposed a nationwide lockdown that may have degraded mental health among residents, in particular, university students and working professionals. We examined clinically significant anxiety levels with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and perceived stress levels with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) in an online cross-sectional study with 744 adults. Approximately 70% of respondents were afflicted with clinically significant anxiety levels, and more than 43.82% were afflicted with moderate or high perceived stress levels. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that postgraduates (OR = 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–8.75, p < 0.05) were more likely to experience anxiety than their student counterparts. No such differences emerged for working professionals, however. Living with family members compared to living alone was a risk factor for perceived stress among working professionals (OR = 4.05, 95% CI = 1.45–11.32, p < 0.05). COVID-19 stressors such as financial hardship (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.11–3.05, p < 0.05) and worries of family members’ health (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.12–2.99) were risk factors for anxiety among students. Questionable social media news exposure (OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.13–7.92, p < 0.05) contributed to the development of mental stress among working professionals. These findings confirm that effective initiatives and proactive efforts from concerned authorities are necessary to cope with the mental health correlates of the COVID-19 pandemic, including in developing contexts such as Bangladesh.

COVID-19 IMPACT ON THE PREVALENCE OF SUBCLINICAL HYPERTENSION AMONG PRACTICALLY HEALTHY MEDICAL STUDENTS

Objective: Silent arterial hypertension is not rare among young adults suffering chronic distress like medical students. COVID-19 pandemic with increased fears and anxiety, social isolation, distant learning, and decreased ACE2 receptor activity could boost hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors. The study was aimed to compare the frequency of subclinical hypertension in cohorts of ‘apparently healthy’ young adults revealed before the COVID-19 pandemic and two years after its onset. Design and method: Medical students without any known diseases or apparent signs of ‘health problems’ enrolled. 24-hour BP monitoring and test questioning with “International Physical Activity Questionnaire” and “The Perceived Stress Scale-10” were performed in ‘pre-COVID’ November and December of 2019 (Group 1) and the same months of ‘peak-COVID’ of 2021 (Group 2). Results: A total of 160 students aged 19 to 26 years were enrolled (group 1, n = 74; group 2, n = 86). The groups did not differ with respect to gender, age, body mass index (BMI) or physical activity (table). The proportion of participants with high perceived stress level (24 and more points) was higher in group 2 vs group 1 (58.1% vs 11.2%, p &lt; 0.001). Masked hypertension prevalence and average values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) did not differ between groups, however daytime and nighttime BP load index was significantly higher in group 2 vs group 1 for both SBP and DBP. Conclusions: Despite the absence of significant differences in the mean BP variables, when compared with similar group from ‘pre-COVID’ period, ‘apparently healthy’ students examined after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly worsened day and night BP load indexes. These changes correlated with the increase of perceived stress levels.

Sleep quality, stress level and COVID-19 in university students; the forgotten dimension.

IntroductionCOVID-19 is a novel pandemic that has had a profound impact on global physical and psychological health. We aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on stress, sleep quality, and insomnia among South Valley University students in Egypt during the quarantine period.Material and MethodsA questionnaire, including the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, the insomnia severity index, the perceived stress scale and COVID-19 fear index was distributed to the undergraduate students through the online platforms of South Valley University during the period of 1st to 15th June 2020.ResultsOf a total respondent sample of 2,474 students, 24.5% had high-perceived stress levels, 31.3% had clinical insomnia, and about 80% were identified as generally poor sleepers by the PSQI. Being female, having a chronic disease, having a sleep disorder before the quarantine, or consuming caffeine were the main factors associated with high stress levels, clinical insomnia, and poor sleep quality. Also, levels of fear of COVID-19 were higher among people with high stress levels, clinical insomnia, and poor sleep quality.ConclusionConsiderable levels of stress and poor sleep quality were identified among undergraduate university students during the pandemic/home isolation period. The effect was more obvious among certain demographic groups and among the students who scored higher in the fear of COVID-19 scale.

Gender Differences in Perceived Stress and Biological Stress Markers are Associated with Changes in Resting Heart Rate

ObjectiveOur study objective is to evaluate whether gender differences in both perceived and biological stress levels will alter resting heart rates.HypothesisWe hypothesize that females will experience higher levels of perceived and biological stress which will translate to a higher resting heart rate compared to males.Methods19 first‐year medical students participated in this study. Participants wore Fitbits to collect heart rate data throughout the course of the academic year. During exam weeks (the “stressor”), participants filled out a standard psychometric questionnaire to assess perceived stress levels and saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol and alpha‐amylase concentrations.ResultsOur study showed that females have higher resting heart rates than males (65.8±6.8 bpm vs 57.7±4.34 bpm, p&lt;0.001). Females recorded having higher perceived stress levels than males (7.9±4.6 vs. 2.12±5.27, p&lt;0.001), as well as having higher salivary alpha‐amylase concentrations than males (33.95±29.50 U/mL vs. 75.4±76.44 U/mL p=0.001). No difference in salivary cortisol concentrations between females and males are seen (0.44±0.25 ug/dL vs. 0.39±0.24 ug/dL, p= 0.3).In females, there is a weak positive correlation between RHR and perceived stress level (0.22), as well as with amylase (0.26). In males, there is a moderate negative correlation between RHR and perceived stress level (‐0.48) and a weak positive correlation between RHR and cortisol (0.26). There was no relationship between RHR and amylase.ConclusionFemales have higher levels of perceived stress levels which is in agreement with their higher levels of alpha‐amylase, a marker of psychosocial stress via the sympatho‐adrenal‐medullary system. As salivary alpha‐amylase has been suggested to reflect catecholaminergic reactivity, it seems likely that this is responsible for the increased resting heart rate. This relationship is not consistent in males where perceived stress is associated with a decrease in RHR. However, in males a relationship was seen between biological markers of stress (cortisol via the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis) and RHR. This study suggests that the relationship between biological measures of stress and heart rate vary with gender and that females experience an increased level of perceived stress overall.

Stress Levels and Coping Strategies of Families of Adults With Intellectual Disability and Challenging Behaviours During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Qatar.

This study investigated the perceived stress levels and coping strategies of caregivers of adults with intellectual disability and challenging behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June 7 to September 7, 2020 for caregivers of adults diagnosed with intellectual disability and challenging behaviours. Perceived stress levels and coping strategies were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory. Results showed moderate to high perceived stress levels in most caregivers (69%). The most frequent coping strategy was religion, followed by acceptance and active coping. Substance use and self-blame were less frequently used. The study revealed that emotional support, informational support and venting coping strategies were significant predictors of perceived stress levels. Restrictions on physical activity and social mobility caused by pandemic-related lockdowns have placed tremendous pressure on caregivers. Appropriate supportive measures should be implemented for the caregivers.

Managing the COVID-19 pandemic in people with mental disorders: An exploratory telephone interview study in a psychiatric outpatient department

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures reduced well-being in the general population significantly and led to an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms, however, results on the impact on people with mental disorders are heterogeneous to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the mental health status, social support, perceived stress, and the medical care provision of people with mental disorders during the time period immediately after the first COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020 in Germany. MethodsParticipants were people with mental disorders currently receiving treatment in the psychiatric outpatient department of the University Hospital Leipzig, Germany. Structured telephone interviews were administered to assess depressive symptoms, self-rated medical care provision, attitudes and social and emotional aspects of the pandemic (social support, perceived stress, loneliness, resilience, and agreeableness). ResultsA total of N = 106 people completed the telephone interview. The most frequent clinician-rated diagnoses were attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD; n = 29, 27.4%) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; n = 24, 22.6%). The mean Patient Health Questionnaire-9 sum score was 10.91 (SD = 5.71) and the majority of participants (n = 56, 52.8%) reported clinically relevant depressive symptoms. A low self-rated medical care provision was significantly associated with higher depressive symptom load. In a regression analysis, higher perceived stress levels and low medical care provision significantly predicted depressive symptoms. Furthermore, 38.1% (n = 40) reported to feel relieved as a result of the restrictions and, due to previous experience in dealing with crisis, half of the participants (n = 53, 50.5%) stated they were better able to deal with the current situation than the general population. ConclusionsThis study emphasizes the importance of maintenance of medical care provision for people with mental disorders, as cancelled or postponed treatment appointments and perceived stress were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Regular treatment services showed to have a protective effect. In addition, a majority of people with mental disorders felt prepared for managing the COVID pandemic due to existing crisis management abilities. These resources should also be taken into account for further future treatment considerations.Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00022071).