Perceived Stress Scale Research Articles

A validation of the Flemish School Burnout Assessment Tool for students between 17 and 21 years old (FS-BAT)

IntroductionThe present study assessed the factor structure, reliability, and convergent validity of the Flemish school burnout assessment tool (FS-BAT) for students between 17 and 21 years old. MethodThe sample consisted of 570 secondary and higher education students between 17 and 21 years old (Mage = 19.14, SDage = 1.11, 81% female). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability scores, and the convergent validity were assessed. ResultsCFA revealed four distinguishable but strongly related school burnout core symptoms (i.e., exhaustion, mental distance, cognitive impairment and emotion impairment), referring to one underlying construct ‘school burnout’. The psychological stress complaints and psychosomatic complaints are two separate but positively correlated aspects of the secondary symptoms. The internal consistency of the scales ranged between excellent (.94; total core symptoms scale) and acceptable (.77; psychosomatic complaints scale). The test-retest reliability after five months varied between excellent (the total core scale and secondary symptoms subscales) and good (core symptoms subscales), indicating good stability over time. The convergent validity showed moderate positive correlations with the Perceived Stress Scale and the Perceptions of Academic Stress scale. ConclusionThe current findings illustrate that the FS-BAT can be used as a reliable and valid instrument to assess school burnout symptoms in secondary and higher education students between 17 and 21 years old. Further research to assess the discriminant validity and the relation to other school burnout measures is needed.

The Relationship Between Coping and Stress Levels in Students from The Class of 2020 at The Faculty of Medicine, Palangka Raya University, During Their Thesis Preparation

Introduction: Academic stress is prevalent among final-year students, with thesis preparation being a significant source of this stress. Coping are essential as they effectively represent the body’s conscious adaptive responses to reduce stress through self-adaptation. This research determines the relationship between coping and stress levels in students from the class of 2020 at the Faculty of Medicine, Palangka Raya University, during their thesis preparation. Methods: The study employs a quantitative analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. Simple random sampling was utilized for participant selection. The research instruments comprised coping questionnaires and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Data were analyzed using Charles Spearman’s correlation analysis with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Out of all 96 respondents, 49 individuals (51%) had good coping skills, and 80 individuals (83.3%) experienced moderate stress levels. Notably, among the 49 participants exhibiting good coping, a majority (42 individuals or 85.71%) experienced moderate stress levels. The Charles Spearman test findings revealed a significant value of 0,013 (p < 0.05) with a weak correlation and the opposite direction (r = -0.252). Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between coping and stress levels in students from the class of 2020 at the Faculty of Medicine, Palangka Raya University, during their thesis preparation.

Correlates of perceived stress with anxiety symptoms sleep quality and academic performance among Moroccan students

IntroductionThe main objective of this study was to verify the association of perceived stress with anxiety, sleep quality, and academic performance among Moroccan medical students. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 222 students enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Fez in Morocco. An online self-administrated questionnaire, for the sociodemographic characteristics, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Test Anxiety Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire were used for the assessment. A descriptive and correlational design was used in this investigation. ResultsOne hundred and thirty-two students completed the survey. A high level of stress was found. A significant positive correlation was observed between the stress level among our population and their levels of anxiety. Stress was also positively correlated with the decrease of students’ sleep quality and academic performance. ConclusionThe results of this investigation present worthy data that highlight the need for this subset of students to anti-stress programs that must be integrated into their curriculum to help them to better manage this psychological issue.

The Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Perceived Stress in Adolescents.

The study was conducted to determine the relationship between social media addiction and perceived stress in adolescents. The study was conducted in a descriptive and cross-sectional design between September and December 2022 in secondary education institutions of the Provincial Directorate of National Education in a city center in eastern Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 716 adolescents who were studying in the ninth grade (145), 10th grade (198), 11th grade (216), and 12th grade (157) who met the inclusion criteria of the study at the time the study was conducted. The sample comprised individuals with diverse sociodemographic characteristics, including ages, genders, school success levels, parents' education levels, parents' job status, socioeconomic status, time spent on daily social media, and purposes of social media use of the adolescents. The "Sociodemographic Characteristics Form," "Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents (SMASA)," and "Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)" were used as the data collection tools. Ethical principles were fulfilled in the study. It was found that the average age of the adolescents who participated in the study was 15.71 ± 1.22, 58.1% were females, 41.1% had good school success, 90.5% had a mobile phone, 90.2% used WhatsApp, 56.8% said that their daily social media use time was between 1 and 3 h, and 64% said that their purpose of using social media was for entertainment and leisure. The mean SMASA score was 18.49 ± 6.98, and the mean PSS score was 42.11 ± 7.54. It was found in the study that the mother's employment status, phone ownership status, use of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn accounts, daily social media use, time and purposes of using social media affected the mean SMASA score. Age, gender, school success, use of Instagram and Snapchat accounts, daily social media use time, and purposes of using social media affected the mean PSS score (p < 0.05). As a result of the study, a positive and low-level significant relationship was detected between social media addiction and perceived stress levels (p < 0.01). As the levels of social media addiction increase in adolescents, the perceived stress levels also increase. It was also found that some variables affected the social media addiction and perceived stress levels of adolescents.

Validation of the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) in adults with cystic fibrosis.

A primary palliative care model for cystic fibrosis (CF) recommends using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) for screening. Validation of the IPOS is needed. This secondary analysis utilized baseline data from a multisite trial of the palliative care model, Improving Life with CF. Adults with CF completed the IPOS, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-CF (MSAS-CF), the CF Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). IPOS structure was assessed using Cronbach α coefficients and a factor analysis. Construct validity was evaluated through bivariate relationships between IPOS scores and other questionnaire scores, and linear regressions assessing the extent to which the IPOS explains variance in quality-of-life domains. The sample comprised 256 adults with complete IPOS data. α coefficients were .86 for the IPOS total score, .81 for the Physical Symptoms subscale, .79 for the Emotional Symptoms subscale, and .63 for the Communication/Practical Issues subscale. A two-component factor structure best aligned with the current subscales. IPOS scores were significantly associated with other measures; associations with MSAS-CF and CFQ-R subscales differentiated the IPOS Physical and Emotional subscales. The IPOS total score provided unique information about the variance in the CFQ-R Physical Functioning and Respiratory Symptoms domain scores. In adults with CF, the IPOS has acceptable internal consistency and there is evidence of construct validity. These findings support adoption of the IPOS in the primary palliative care model for CF.

Effect of Psychological Resilience on Posttraumatic Growth Among Midwives: The Mediating Roles of Perceived Stress and Positive Coping Strategies.

To explore the relationship between midwives' psychological resilience and posttraumatic growth, and the mediating role of perceived stress and positive coping strategies. A multicentre cross-sectional survey was used. Data were conducted among 339 midwives from 24 Grade III A hospitals in Sichuan Province from April to July 2023, using the Chinese version of the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, Chinese version Perceived Stress Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Chinese-Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and General Demographic Data Questionnaire. A descriptive statistical approach, Pearson's correlation analysis and the Mplus 8.3 were used to analyse the available data. There was a significant correlation between psychological resilience, perceived stress, positive coping strategies and PTG. Psychological resilience could have a direct positive impact on PTG of midwives, but it could also indirectly affect PTG of midwives through three pathways: the mediating effect of perceived stress, the mediating effect of positive coping strategies and the chain mediating effect of perceived stress and positive coping strategies. Results suggest that nursing managers should help to improve the psychological resilience of midwives and to reduce individual stress perception, enhance coping abilities and achieve positive growth. Prior to data collection, we obtained approval from the nursing department of each hospital. Midwives who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria gave informed consent and invited to participate in this study. This study was guided by STROBE. During the data collection phase, 349 midwives took the time to carefully answer the questionnaire items related to this study.

Exploring Gender Differences in Perceived Stress, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness, and Coping Styles among Caregivers of People Diagnosed with Psychiatric Illness

Globally it is seen that not only the patients who are suffering from mental disorders but also the caregivers or family members are also facing multiple psychological distress due to their disturbances. Objectives: To measure perceived stress, internalized stigma, and coping styles among caregivers of psychiatric patients. Methods: 160 participants were selected through purposive sampling from eight hospitals in Lahore. The study questionnaire booklet included the Urdu versions of the Internalized Stigma Scale, Coping Styles Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale respectively. Pearson product-moment correlations and T-tests were computed to explore gender differences in levels of the study variables. Results: The results revealed that women spent more time with loved ones as compared to men. There was a strong relationship with most of the variables among men, whereas the copying style scale showed no relationship with all variables. There was a strong relationship reported among women on most of the variables but coping style indicates a negligible relationship with the internalized stigma of mental illness. The T-test indicates that there was a significant difference (p-value=0.04*) reported on the internalized stigma of mental illness stereotype endorsement among men and women, whereas the rest of the variables did not report any significant differences. Conclusions: It was concluded that future research should be conducted on caregivers to create awareness and mitigate internalized stigma of mental illness as well as reduce stress common among people.

BDNF methylation associated with stress in women: Novel insights in epigenetics and inflammation

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene plays an important role in modulating the stress-response axis and inflammation, which can be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. BNDF methylation has been associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Previous studies have reported that stressful events are involved with long-lasting alterations in DNA methylation (DNAm) of the BNDF exon IV promoter, suggesting that glucocorticoids and inflammatory cytokines can regulate this process. We previously found that perceived psychological stress is modulated by inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10, and IL-12p70, suggesting their role in mediating the stress response. However, the epigenetic mechanism mediating this response has yet to be fully understood. In this study, we propose that high perceived stress and high serum levels of inflammatory cytokines may correlate with specific methylation sites within the BNDF exon IV promoter. To address these questions, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 82 adult women teachers working in basic education in Brazil. The perceived stress scale was used to assess stress and blood samples were collected for the measurement of inflammatory markers and BNDF methylation through flow cytometry assay and DNA pyrosequencing, respectively. We detected differentially methylated CpG sites in the BNDF gene, where 5 CpG sites were directly correlated with high stress levels. However, 4 CpG sites showed inverse effects, indicating that changes in methylation levels in those sites could lead to a protective effect on perceived stress. About inflammatory markers, IL-6 and IL-8 were associated with high perceived stress. However, only IL-8 and IL-10 showed simultaneous modulation of perceived stress, while IL-10 and IL12p70 correlated with DNAm. We found that higher levels in IL-10 and IL-12p70 serum decrease methylation in CpG11. A direct relationship was also found to IL-12p70, where higher levels in serum increase methylation in CpG5 and 13, respectively. Taken as a whole, our findings reinforce the hypothesis regarding stress-sensitive regions within the BDNF gene, mainly for CpG5, 11, and 13. In addition to these results, CpG7 and 9 may be regarded as stress-protective regions. Our data suggest that BDNF DNAm in the blood may represent a novel biomarker for early detection of adverse effects of chronic exposure to stress in healthy individuals.

Assessment of Acceptability, Usage, and Impact on Caregivers of Children With Autism's Stress and Mindfulness: Multiple-Method Feasibility Study of the 5Minutes4Myself App's Mindfulness Module.

Caregiver wellness programs need to be easily accessible to address caregivers' constraints to participation. We aimed to assess the feasibility of 5Minutes4Myself app's mindfulness module (usability, usage, and impact on caregivers' levels of mindfulness and perceived stress). Before and after participation in the 5Minutes4Myself program, 15 participants were asked to complete the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Data on the usage of app-delivered meditations were collected electronically via the app, and app usability was rated on the Modified System Usability Scale. Analyses assessed participants' frequency of use of app-delivered meditations, app usability, and changes in participants' stress and mindfulness post intervention. Overall, participants completed 10.9 minutes of mindfulness meditations per week and rated the app 76.7, indicating above-average usability. Related samples t tests (2-tailed) found that group PSS (t10=1.20, P=.26) and FFMQ (t10=-1.57, P=.15) pre- or postintervention mean scores were not significantly different. However, a visualization of pre- and post-PSS and mindfulness scores suggested there was a group of responders who had decreased stress with increased mindfulness. This was confirmed via an individual change analysis. The effect size of the FFMQ scores (d=0.47) suggests there may be treatment effects with a larger sample. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis examined the degree mindfulness impacted perceived stress; 20% of the variance in participants' perceived stress could be attributed to increases in self-rated mindfulness (P=.04) when controlling for preintervention stress levels. Caregivers found the app highly usable and on average used low-dose levels of mindfulness meditations (10 min/wk). For responders, increased mindfulness was related to stress reduction to population-based levels.

Long-term hair cortisone and perceived stress are associated with long-term hedonic eating tendencies in patients with obesity

IntroductionLong-term biological stress, reflected in hair cortisol and cortisone levels, predicts future weight gain and metabolic deterioration. This is likely at least partially mediated by glucocorticoid-induced increases in hedonic overeating. Yet, the relationship between long-term biological stress and long-term hedonic eating tendencies remains to be elucidated. MethodsWe included N=108 adults with lifestyle-induced obesity (91 women, median body-mass-index=38.4 kg/m2) for our primary analysis investigating cross-sectional associations between long-term biological stress (hair cortisol and cortisone measured in the first 3 cm of scalp hair using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) and self-reported long-term hedonic eating tendencies (emotional and external eating, ‘Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire’, and trait food craving, ‘Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait’). In secondary analyses, we investigated the moderating role of long-term psychological stress (Perceived Stress Scale-14 score) on the relation between hair glucocorticoid levels and hedonic eating tendencies. ResultsHigher hair cortisone levels, but not higher hair cortisol levels, were associated with more food cravings after adjustment for sex and age (p<0.05). The association remained significant after additional adjustment for psychological stress (p<0.05). Psychological stress correlated positively with food craving and hedonic eating (p<0.05), and, in trend, with external eating (p<0.1). Stratification of stress groups (high vs. low psychological stress in addition to high vs. low biological stress) showed food cravings and emotional eating to be highest in the group with both high psychological-stress and high hair-cortisone (p<0.05), suggesting potential additive effects of different stress measures. ConclusionLong-term psychological and biological stress correlate with hedonic eating tendencies with potentially adverse additive effects on weight management and clinical features of obesity.

Prevalence and risk factors for postpartum depression and stress among mothers of preterm and low birthweight infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in Accra, Ghana.

To determine the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum stress (PPS) and identify associated risk factors among mothers of preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants. We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected from 255 mothers with preterm and LBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. A standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire collected data on maternal, pregnancy, birth, and infant characteristics. The questionnaire also included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4) to assess PPD and PPS, respectively. Simple and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with PPD and PPS. The prevalence of moderate to moderately severe PPD was 3.9%, and that of PPS was 43.5%. The multivariable linear regression analysis showed that an increased number of prenatal care visits (β-estimate = 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08-0.43; P < 0.01) was positively associated with higher scores on the PHQ-9, whereas gestational age at birth (β = -0.21; 95% CI -0.40 to -0.03; P = 0.02) was inversely associated with PHQ-9 scores. Moreover, a longer gestational period at the first prenatal care visit (β = 0.25; 95% CI 0.05-0.45; P = 0.01) and following the Islamic religion were associated with elevated scores on the PSS-4 (β = 0.95; 95% CI 0.11-1.80; P = 0.011). Our findings underscore the presence of moderate PPD levels and high PPS levels among mothers. Active screening, diagnosis, and treatment for mothers at risk of mental health disorders during the peripartum period could enhance coping mechanisms for mothers navigating the challenging NICU environment and transitioning to the home environment.

Validity, Reliability, and Cultural Adaptability of the Arabic Cognitive Flexibility Scale (Ar-CFS) Among Saudi Arabians: A Two-Cohort Investigation.

Background/objectives: Cognitive flexibility is the mental skill that allows a person to shift between different ideas or concepts and think about several concepts simultaneously. A commonly used tool to assess cognitive flexibility is the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS). This study focused on translating and validating the CFS into Arabic, given the lack of existing Arabic tools for assessing cognitive flexibility. Methods: Conducted at King Saud University, Riyadh, between April and June 2024, the study employed random sampling and involved 529 participants, including 419 students and 110 patients. Results: The average participant age was 25.8 years, with females making up 56.9% of the sample. Participants completed the Arabic CFS, along with the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), at two time points 3-6 weeks apart. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.8) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.82). Item analysis indicated that removing any single item did not significantly impact overall reliability, and inter-item correlations were strongest between items 4 and 6 (0.55) and items 6 and 7 (0.51). Validity was assessed through face, content, and construct validity, with factor analysis revealing a dominant single component accounting for 34.4% of the variance, confirming the scale's unidimensionality. Content validity indices for all items exceeded 0.9 in terms of relevance, importance, simplicity, and clarity. The Arabic CFS demonstrated good construct validity, showing significant correlations with the ERQ's reappraisal and suppression dimensions and the PSS. Conclusion: In conclusion, the Arabic version of the CFS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing cognitive flexibility in Arabic-speaking populations. This tool will be valuable in both clinical and research settings within Saudi Arabia, offering a robust instrument for evaluating cognitive flexibility.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Effect of Stress on Short-Term Heart Rate Variability and Muscle Strength Among Construction Site Workers

This cross-sectional study investigates the immediate impact of occupational stress on short-term heart rate variability (HRV) and muscle strength among 200 construction workers in Chennai. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was employed to assess stress levels, while HRV was measured using a portable ECG device, focusing on time-domain (RMSSD) and frequency-domain (HF Power) parameters. Muscle strength was evaluated using a MicroFET 2 dynamometer. Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analyses were applied to determine the associations between stress, HRV, and muscle strength, adjusting for confounding factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), and work duration. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between perceived stress and both HRV indices (RMSSD: r=-0.45, p&lt;0.01; HF Power: r=-0.50, p&lt;0.01) as well as muscle strength (r=-0.40, p&lt;0.01). Higher stress levels were associated with reduced HRV and diminished muscle strength. Regression analyses confirmed that stress independently predicted lower HRV (RMSSD: ?=-0.35, p&lt;0.01; HF Power: ?=-0.42, p&lt;0.01) and decreased muscle strength (?=-0.32, p&lt;0.01). These findings suggest that elevated stress negatively impacts both cardiovascular and muscular functioning, potentially increasing the health risks among construction workers. The study highlights the importance of implementing stress management interventions to improve both the physical well-being and productivity of workers in the construction industry.

The Effect of Sleep Quality on Stress Levels in Night Shift and Non-night Shift Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

The sleep–wake cycle, which is regulated by the endogenous circadian rhythm, is disrupted by night-shift work. Altered sleep patterns owing to shift work have been associated with irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, and nervousness. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of sleep quality on stress in night shift workers and non-night shift workers. A cross – sectional study was conducted in 30night shift and 30 non-night shift workers of Railway Mail Service and Postal Department, Thrissur, Kerala. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and stress was assessed using Perceived Stress Scale. The findings revealed that a majority of night shift workers reported poor sleep quality, with a significant correlation observed between sleep quality and shift work. Furthermore, stress levels were markedly higher among night workers with poor sleep quality. Regression analysis indicated a positive association between impaired sleep quality and elevated stress levels.

Psycho-spatial predictors of drug use among Inner City Youths in Uyo

This study examined psycho-spaal predictors (psychological – opmisc bias and stress: spaal-drug availability, neighborhood density and proximity) of drug use among inner city youths of Uyo. A descripve cross-seconal survey design was used to interview 228 youths in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Parcipants, with an average age of 31.46, were 75% male. A standardized quesonnaire, consisng of Drug Use Disorder Idenficaon Test (DUDIT), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Revised Life Orientaon Test-Revised (LOT-R) were used for data collecon. Drug availability was assessed in this study in terms of ease of difficulty in obtaining the drug ranging from very easy to very difficult. Environmental proximity was assessed by asking the respondents the proximity between their residence and where the drug they used are sold- ranging from “On the same street” to “not available in my neighborhood”. Neighborhood density was assessed by asking the respondents their area of residence in Uyo – as high density or low density. Result showed that drug availability [β= -4.23; t = - 4.22; p &lt; 0.05] stress level [β=0.33; t =2.96; p &lt; 0.05] and opmisc bias [β= - 0.52; t=-3.18; p&lt; 0.05] predicted drug use. The study concluded that these psychospaal variables are very important in understanding drug use among young persons and the need to situate intervenon within this psychospaal domain was emphasized.

Effect of video-based exercise on premenstrual symptoms: a randomized controlled trial.

This study aims to investigate the impact of Pilates exercises on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, perceived stress levels, and pain intensity. Forty-six women with PMS participated in this study and were assigned to the intervention and control groups based on their willingness to participate. The intervention group undertook Pilates practices via video recording twice a week for 8 weeks, while the control group did not engage in regular exercise during the same period. PMS symptoms were assessed using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), premenstrual stress levels were evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and premenstrual pain levels were assessed using the McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) at both the beginning and end of the study. There was a significant difference observed in the PMSS, PSS and MPQ evaluations of the intervention group following their participation in Pilates practices (p < 0.05). Conversely, no significant difference was observed in the PMSS, PSS and MPQ evaluations of the control group at the end of the study (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in PMSS evaluation (p > 0.05) at the end of the study. However, a statistically significant difference was detected in PSS and MPQ evaluations (p < 0.05). Pilates exercise can affectively decrease the perceived stress level and pain severity in PMS affected women. This study highlights the efficacy of Pilates for physiotherapists in PMS symptom reduction. Moreover, the implementation of a self-guided video-based home exercise program could provide patients with practical and time-efficient alternatives.

Prevalence and patterns of tobacco use among young adults in India - does perceived stress play a role?

Background: Tobacco use among young people is a public health concern. Perceived stress among young adults as a determinant for tobacco use has not been extensively explored previously in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among young adults aged 18-30 years across India. Data was collected using a self-administered, web-based, online questionnaire, on sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco use and its pattern, and the levels of perceived stress using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Results: The prevalence of tobacco use in our study sample was 25.7% and the mean age at initiation of tobacco use was 20.71 years. Though tobacco use was significantly associated with male gender [aOR=2.26 (1.16-4.38), p=0.01], current alcohol consumption [aOR=13.73 (6.72-28.04), p=0.00] and having known smokers among family and friends [aOR=3.13 (1.39-7.04), p=0.01], there was no association between levels of perceived stress and tobacco use. Cigarettes/beedis were the most commonly used tobacco product, 27.58% of respondents reported using tobacco products daily or for more than half the days of the week and 48.27% of respondents started using tobacco out of curiosity. Seventy percent of users used tobacco during specific events like social gatherings and vacations while 57.47% used tobacco while meeting specific colleagues/ friends. Conclusions: We found no association between perceived stress and tobacco use. However, current use of alcohol and having knowledge about smokers among family and friends significantly determined tobacco use among our study population. This necessitates more holistic approaches towards behaviour change efforts for tobacco control.

Frequent park use is associated with reduced stress after citywide park renovation

Abstract Background Quality parks have the potential to promote well-being in urban communities through reduced stress. The impact of parks on stress may be greater among individuals who use parks frequently. Using pre- and post-renovation data from the Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) study, we evaluated the role of citywide park renovation in the association between park use and perceived stress. Methods PARCS evaluated the impact of the NYC Community Parks Initiative, which led to the renovation of dozens of previously disinvested neighborhood parks throughout NYC. Longitudinal data on park use and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) from 162 adults residing within 0.3 miles of 31 renovated park sites and 151 adults living near 21 socio-demographically matched control parks were analyzed. Linear mixed-effects difference-in-difference (DID) regression was used to assess the association between park use frequency at follow-up and change in PSS over time in intervention vs. control conditions (2- and 3-way interactions). Models were adjusted for age, education, children in household, marital status, and public housing. Results Both intervention and control groups experienced significant declines in PSS over the study period (2016-2022) [Intervention= -2.88 (95% CI -4.10,-1.67), Control=-3.16 (95% CI -4.43,-1.90)]. We found no net difference in change in PSS between the intervention and control groups overall [DID=0.28 (95% CI -1.47,2.03)]. However, there was a significant 3-way interaction of time x park use x intervention (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Among participants in the intervention group, those who had high park use at follow-up experienced a significantly larger decrease in PSS compared to those with low park use [DID=-2.92 (95% CI -5.34,-0.49)]. Within the control group, there was no difference in PSS change by park use frequency [DID=1.05 (95% CI -1.48,3.59)]. Conclusions Park renovation was a pre-condition to the benefit of frequent park use on stress reduction.

Enhancing Interprofessional Skills with SKY Campus: A Pilot Study on Mental Well-being at UCD

Abstract Background Public health professionals and students face increasing mental health challenges. Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), known for its mental health benefits such as stress reduction and improved emotional regulation, offers a promising strategy for enhancing well-being in public health education. Objectives To evaluate the immediate effects of a three-day participatory SKY workshop on mental well-being of Master of Public Health students at University College Dublin, Ireland. Methods A non-randomized, controlled pilot study will involve MPH students at UCD. Participants, aged 18 and above, enrolled in the MPH programme, will provide informed consent to attend a three-day SKY workshop in September 2024. The workshop, delivered by certified trainers, includes three sessions of three hours each. Standardised and validated Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) such as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and WHO-Five Well-being Index (WHO-5) will be used to assess perceived stress and mental wellbeing at baseline and immediately after the workshop. Results Based on previous literature, it is hypothesized that participants will show a significant reduction in perceived stress and improvement in mental wellbeing scores. Data will be analysed using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate changes in PROM scores. Conclusions This pilot study aims to provide preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of SKY in improving mental wellbeing among public health students. Successful outcomes could support integrating SKY into the public health curriculum, promoting its adoption across other institutions, and enhancing the professional skills development of future public health professionals. This component is proposed in the ASPHER core curriculum programme for public health as an important cross curricular subject area Key messages • Integrating SKY Campus workshops into public health education enhances interprofessional skills and mental well-being, offering a holistic approach to professional development in global health. • This study uses standard PROMs to assess the SKY workshop’s impact, aiming for significant improvements in stress and mental well-being to shape global public health curricula.

The Associations Between Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Outcomes Among Sexual Minority Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sexual minority men (SMM) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at a substantially high rate and also bear high burdens of adverse mental health outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to consolidate existing evidence on the associations between experiencing IPV and adverse mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, etc.) among SMM. Following the Preferred Reporting Items For Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline, we identified 22 published studies encompassing data from 18,454 individuals, all of which were cross-sectional in design and half of which were conducted in the U.S. We found that experiencing IPV was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms and anxiety with a pooled Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs) of 1.71 (95% CI [1.43, 2.05]) and 1.89 (95% CI [1.46, 2.43]), respective. Studies also found that IPV was positively associated with suicide-related risk (AOR = 2.71, 95% CI [2.21, 3.32] and perceived loneliness. Studies varied in their IPV measures and recall periods and used diverse mental health measurement tools like PHQ-9/GAD-7, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed an urgent need to examine the effects of IPV on SMM's mental well-being in low- and middle-income countries using standardized IPV measurement tools. Future research should employ a longitudinal design to track the long-term effects of IPV on the mental well-being of SMM and explore potential interventions for mitigating these impacts over time. These insights are crucial for enhancing IPV screening within healthcare settings and identifying key intervention targets aimed at improving the mental health of SMM.