Perceived Stress Questionnaire Research Articles

Differences In Stress Levels And Coping Strategies Among Individual And Team Sports In Division II Collegiate Athletes

Differences in Stress Levels and Coping Strategies Among Individual and Team Sports in Division II Collegiate Athletes Matthew R. Miltenberger, Olivia M. Lukshides, Emily J. Sauers, FACSM, Shawn N. MunfordEast Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg, PA.Collegiate athletes experience multiple stressors associated with the pressures to perform on the field and in the classroom. Previous literature has suggested that athletes report higher levels of stress and anxiety when compared to non-athletes. Increased stress levels can lead to greater incidence of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. PURPOSE: To compare stress levels and coping strategies in Division II collegiate athletes. METHODS: Subjects consisted of NCAA Division II student athletes at East Stroudsburg University. Prior to the start of each season subjects were provided details about the study and instructed that the survey would be distributed electronically within one week after the conclusion of their season via Google Forms. The survey included demographic information, a perceived stress questionnaire, and a question regarding coping strategies. Data is reported as mean ± SD and analyzed using paired-sample t-tests. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Subjects included individual sport athletes (n = 46; cross-country, swimming, track and field) and team sport athletes (n = 25; baseball and lacrosse), both male (n = 29) and female (n = 42). Perceived stress scores were significantly higher in team sport (17.56 ± 7.19) then in individual sport (16.85 ± 7.49, p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were seen in several coping strategies, individual sport athletes tended to use venting of emotion (56.5 vs 32%, p < 0.05), social support (60.8 vs 48%, p < 0.05), and suppression activities (34.7 vs 24%, p < 0.05) more often while team sport athletes tended to use disengagement (36 vs 19.5%, p < 0.05) and acceptance (48 vs 45.6%, p < 0.05) more often. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that those participating in team sports show higher levels of perceived stress and that team and individual sport athletes use different coping mechanisms to deal the stress.

Maternal adult attachment and maternal-fetal attachment in the context of romantic relationship quality after premature birth-A cross sectional study.

ObjectiveThe primary outcome of the study was to evaluate the maternal adult attachment and maternal–fetal attachment (MFA) in the context of romantic relationship quality among mothers of preterm born children. Associations between MFA, maternal adult attachment, maternal perceived stress, depressive symptoms, social support in the neonatal period were also examined as secondary outcomes.Materials and methodsThe study had a cross-sectional design and involved 260 of women after premature birth, who participated in the study in the early neonatal period. The following self-reported methods were used: Socio-demographic questionnaire, Attachment Styles Questionnaire (ASQ), Maternal–Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS), The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), The Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ).ResultsThe results showed that a secure attachment style is associated with a higher intensity of the MFA and consequently, a higher quality of the romantic relationship. Regression analysis presented that the higher the secure attachment score, the lower the perceived level of stress and depressive symptoms, which in turn lead to a higher quality of the partner relationship.ConclusionMaternal secure attachment positively impacts the romantic relationship quality and the maternal–fetal attachment. The findings also draw attention to the role of the secure attachment style as a protective factor while coping with stress and depressive symptoms.

P-079: AVPR1A AND STRESS IN YOUNGER AND OLDER ADULTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Purpose: Background: In patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), pain results in varied physical and emotional consequences. Insufficient information about underlying mechanisms affecting pain remains a barrier to addressing SCD pain. Multiple biological and psychological factors (i.e., environmental stress) known to contribute to other pain conditions are understudied in SCD where the median survival (38 years for men and 42 years for women) is lower than the general population. Emotional stress has been shown to be a trigger of pain in patients with SCD. Genetics plays an important but still not fully-understood role in the variation of pain. The rs10877969 SNP in the Arginine vasopressin receptor 1A gene (AVPR1A) is associated with aspects of acute pain and stress-related to pain, but it is unknown whether the genotype frequency differs between those younger or older than the median survival age for SCD. Our aim was to determine the association between AVPR1A genotype with stress and age in adults with SCD who had chronic pain. Materials and methods: Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional study, 169 participants with SCD and chronic pain (100% African descent; 62% female, mean age 36.4±11.6 years [younger adults n =110, 18-39 years and older adults n=59, ≥40 years]), we used the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). As a part of a larger study, we genotyped samples using the Axiom Precision Medicine Research Array. We used the Michigan Imputation server to examine our single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of interest, rs10877969. The SNP was evaluated as the imputed score was R2>0.8. We used ANOVA to compare stress by genotype and age (younger and older adults). Results: Results: The rs10877969 genotype frequency for the overall sample was: CC 47 (28%), CT 72 (43%), and TT 50 (30%). The genotype frequency was similar for older adults vs. younger adults: CC 16 (27%) vs. 31 (28%), CT 24 (41%) vs. 48 (44%), and TT 19 (32%) vs. 31 (28%). Mean stress scores were not significantly different by genotype: CC mean = 0.39 ± 0.16, CT mean = 0.41 ± 0.19, and TT mean = 0.36 ± 0.16, p=0.22. Mean stress scores also were not significantly different by genotype for younger adults: CC mean = 0.39 ± 0.15, CT mean = 0.44 ± 0.19, and TT mean = 0.36 ± 0.14, p=0.09 or older adults: CC mean = 0.37 ± 0.19, CT mean = 0.34 ± 0.16, TT mean = 0.34 ± 0.19, p=0.90. Mean stress scores were significantly lower (p<0.05) for the older adults (mean = 0.35 ± 0.18) than the younger adults (mean = 0.41 ± 0.17). Conclusion: Discussion-Conclusion: Younger adults had higher average stress than older adults. In contrast to prior research, in this study there was not an association between genotype and stress. Previously, the stand-out result was that individuals with SCD and CC genotype cited stress much less than the other two genotypes. The current result has a very different pattern. Further research is needed to examine stress and the rs10877969 genotype using other indicators of stress in this population. The authors do not declare any conflict of interest

Negative Associations of Stress and Anxiety Levels With Cytotoxic and Regulatory Natural Killer Cell Frequency in Chronic Tinnitus.

BackgroundDepression and anxiety are known to be associated with stress-induced changes in the immune system. Bothersome tinnitus can be related to stress and often co-occurs with depression and anxiety. This study investigates associations of psychological and audiological tinnitus-related factors with inflammatory parameters and immune cell subsets in chronic tinnitus patients as well as treatment-related effects.MethodsThis longitudinal study of inpatients treated with compact multimodal tinnitus-specific cognitive behavioral therapy included four repeated measurement sessions: baseline (N = 41), treatment end, 7.8-week (N = 35), and 13.8-week follow-up (N = 34). Data collection included audiometric testing, blood sampling, and psychometric questionnaires: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-20), and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). Flow cytometry was used to analyze immune cell subsets. Statistical analyses comprised correlation and network analysis (cross-sectional), and linear mixed effect models (longitudinal).ResultsBootstrapped network analysis showed negative averaged cross-sectional associations of cytotoxic natural killer (NKc) cell frequency (CD56 + CD16+) and PSQ-20 (−0.21 [−0.48, 0]) and of regulatory natural killer (NKreg) cell frequency (CD56 + CD16dim/−) and HADS anxiety (−0.14 [−0.38, 0]). No significant treatment effects were found. A negative predictive effect of baseline PSQ-20 scores (β = −6.22 [−12.18, −0.26], p = 0.041) and a positive predictive effect of baseline ferritin levels (β = 8.90 [2.76, 15.03], p = 0.004) on NKc cell frequency across the repeated measurement sessions were observed.ConclusionWe observed negative relationships between perceived stress levels and NKc cell frequency and between anxiety levels and NKreg cell frequency in chronic tinnitus patients. These exploratory results suggest stress−/anxiety-related immune alterations in bothersome tinnitus but need to be tested in further confirmatory studies with larger sample sizes. The potential of NK cells as biomarkers of emotional distress in chronic tinnitus should be further investigated.

Method Effects and Measurement Invariance Testing for Korean Stress Mindset Scale

Stress mindset refers to implicit beliefs about the effects of stress. Although academical interests in stress mindset are growing, we know next to nothing about whether the original stress mindset scale, developed by Crum and colleagues (2013), can be used for working professionals in Korea. To examine whether the same stress mindset scale can be used in Korean adults with different occupations, we recruited college students and working professionals in finance, medicine, and education (N=531) and asked them to complete stress mindset and perceived stress questionnaires. Findings from a confirmatory factor analysis found no evidence for method effects in the original 8-item stress mindset scale. Furthermore, the results indicated that 4-item stress mindset scale, measuring debilitating effects of stress (Stress Mindset-N4), fits data better than the original 8-item scale and 4-item mindset scale, measuring enhancing effects of stress (Stress Mindset-P4). Measurement invariance testing of Stress Mindset-N4 supports configural, metric invarianc, and scalar invariance. Furthermore, the scale scale reliably predicts perceived distress.

Higher Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables Is Associated With Lower Worries, Tension and Lack of Joy Across the Lifespan.

Background and AimsHigher total fruit and vegetable (FV) intakes have been associated with lower perceived stress. However, the relationship of FV intake with domains of perceived stress is unclear. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between consumption of FV and four perceived stress domains (worries, tension, lack of joy and demands) in a population-based cohort of Australian adults.MethodsParticipants (n = 8,640) were men and women aged ≥25 years from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a 74-item validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Perceived stress domains were determined using a validated 20-item version of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, with higher scores representing higher perceived stress. Cut-offs for high perceived stress domains were obtained from the highest quartiles of each domain for each sex. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was performed to investigate cross-sectional associations.ResultsThe mean age of participants (50.1% females) was 47.8 (SD 15) years. Those with higher intakes of FV, combined and separately, had a significantly lower odds (16–36%) for higher worries, tension and lack of joy, independent of other lifestyle factors.ConclusionIn Australian adults, higher consumption of FV was associated with lower odds of worries, tension and lack of joy. Following the dietary guidelines for the recommended intake of FV may help improve feelings of worries, tension and lack of joy, which are linked to mental health problems.

The Association of the Levels of Perceived Stress With the Preferred Mode of Delivery in Primiparous Women

Background &amp; Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived stress and the preferred mode of delivery in primiparous pregnant women in 2019. Materials &amp; Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional investigation in which the relationship between the perceived stress of primiparous women and their preferred mode of delivery was evaluated. The population in this study was all of the primiparous women attending the healthcare centers in Bandar Abbas in 2019, among which 230 women were sampled through a multi-stage sampling process. Data acquisition was performed via Cohen's Perceived Stress Questionnaire and a demographic and gynecological information checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software v. 23 and Chi-square, Welch's t-test, Pearson's correlation test, and one-way and two-way analysis of variance with post-hoc. P&lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: The Mean±SD age of the samples was 25.84±5.09, and the majority of participants were unemployed (86.9%), had high school education (50%), and had moderate economic status (66.1%), and preferred vaginal delivery as the mode of birthing (75.7%). The Mean±SD perceived stress score was 23.14±8.70. The results have shown that there is a statistically significant relationship between the perceived stress score and preferred mode of delivery (P=0.033), type of pregnancy (wanted/unwanted; P=0.029), and economic status (P=0.004). There was a statistically significant relationship between the preferred mode of delivery and the level of the education of the participants (P=0.043) and their spouses (P=0.005), the employment status of the participant (P=0.005), the number of years that the participants and their spouses were educated (P=0.001 and P=0.001). Conclusion: Women who experience this type of pregnancy require higher levels of social support. In addition, there is a need for proper educative programs that would inform couples of the benefits and harms of different delivery.

Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Lupus

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune progressive connective tissue disease characterized by multiple organ involvement and a highly variable clinical course. The aim of this study was to predict the health-related quality of life of women with lupus based on perceived stress, fear of perceptual body image and psychological resilience.&#x0D; Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 189 women with lupus in Hafez Hospital in Shiraz in 2019. Data were collected through the quality of life questionnaire (LupusQol), perceived stress questionnaire (PSS-14), body image fear inventory (BICI), and Conners and Davidson Technology Questionnaire, and they were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software with descriptive statistics and linear regression.&#x0D; Results: The mean age and duration of the disease were 40.37±9.47 and 9.45±6.01 years, respectively. Based on the level of education, 43.79% of the patients were undergraduates, 86.8% were housewives and 57.7% were in the active phase of the disease. The mean score of resilience was 67.56±16.07, quality of life 57.30±22.68, stress 25.31±7.78 and fear of body image was 37.07±13.96. Stress, fear of body image, resilience, disease phase, education and occupation accounted for 52% of the total quality of life variability.&#x0D; Conclusion: The quality of life of the women with lupus is affected by the variables such as stress, fear of body image and resilience. Thus, the higher the stress and fear of body image in women with lupus and the lower the rate of resilience, the lower the quality of life.

The Relationship between Health Anxiety and Perceived Stress with Moral Distress in Emergency Nurses: The Mediating Role of Distress Tolerance

Background: Nurses in emergency departments are exposed to stress and ethical issues due to the specific nature of their job. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to present a relationship between health anxiety and perceived stress with Moral distress and mediation of turmoil tolerance in emergency department nurses. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was performed on 230 emergency nurses in Tehran in 1399 using available sampling method. In this study, the Cohen, Kamark and Marmelstein (1983) Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Salkowski and Warwick (2002), Simmons and Gahr (2005) Perturbation Tolerance, and Jamton's Moral Perturbation Questionnaire were used. Data analysis was performed by path analysis using SPSS-24 and Amos-24 software. Results: The findings of the study showed that perceived stress (t = 5.58) and health anxiety (t = 7.1) had a positive and direct effect on Moral distress and distress Tolerance(t = 8.33) on Moral distress. The effect is negative and direct (P &lt;0.01). The results also showed that disturbance tolerance has a mediating role in the relationship between perceived fear and health anxiety with moral distress (P &lt;0.01). Conclusion: distress Tolerance mediates the relationship between perceived stress and health anxiety with Moral distress. The findings of this study can be used to improve the degree of distress Tolerance and improve the level of work ethic and reduce the Moral distress of emergency department nurses.

The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress in the Relationship Between Psychological Hardiness and Quality of Life in Cardiovascular Patients

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a chronic and debilitating physical condition, is one of the most common causes of death. Complications of CVD, such as decreased physical and mental health along with its chronic, progressive, and irreversible nature have numerous negative consequences for patients. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between psychological hardiness and quality of life (QoL) in cardiovascular patients. Methods: The present study was a descriptive-correlational and structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all patients with CVD referred to heart hospitals and cardiac rehabilitation centers in Tehran, Iran in 2019. Using purposeful sampling method, a total of 151 individuals were selected. Data collection tools included a Kobasa Psychological Hardiness Questionnaire, Cohen’s Perceived Stress Questionnaire, and Quality of Life Scale (SF-36). To analyze the data, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and path analysis with SPSS.22 and Amos.22 software were used. Results: The results showed that negative perception of stress and positive perception of stress had a significant negative and positive relationship with dimensions of QoL, respectively (P&lt;0.001). Psychological hardiness had a significant positive relationship with dimensions of QoL (P&lt;0.001). Also, perceived stress had a mediating role in the relationship between psychological hardiness and QoL dimensions (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated a correlation between psychological hardiness and increased QoL and the inverse relationship between perceived stress and QoL in cardiovascular patients.

Associations of specific types of fruit and vegetables with perceived stress in adults: the AusDiab study

PurposeHigher total fruit and vegetable (FV) intakes have been associated with lower perceived stress. The relationship between specific types of FV and perceived stress remains uncertain. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to explore the relationship between consumption of specific types of FV with perceived stress in a population-based cohort of men and women aged ≥ 25 years from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study.MethodsDietary intake was assessed using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (n = 8,640). Perceived stress was evaluated using a validated Perceived Stress Questionnaire, with values ranging 0–1 (lowest to highest). High perceived stress cut-offs of ≥0.34 for men and ≥0.39 for women were obtained from the highest quartile of the perceived stress score for each sex. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was performed to investigate the associations.ResultsThe mean age of participants (50.1% females) was 47.8 (SD 15) years. Persons in the highest, versus lowest, quartiles of apples and pears, orange and other citrus, and banana intakes had a significantly lower odds (24–31%) of having high perceived stress. Similarly, persons with higher intakes of cruciferous, yellow/orange/red, and legume vegetables had significantly lower odds (25–27%) of having high perceived stress.ConclusionIn Australian adults, a higher consumption of apples and pears, oranges and other citrus, and bananas, as well as cruciferous, yellow/orange/red, and legume vegetables were associated with lower odds of having high perceived stress. The recommendations of “eating a rainbow” of colours may assist in preventing and/or reducing perceived stress.

The Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Well-Being and Perceived Stress in Adolescents with Low Academic Performance During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the serious issues which has affected mental health in the world. One of the age groups whose learning processes are highly influenced by the pandemic are adolescents, especially those with low academic performance. Although there have always been problems in the learning process at schools prior to the pandemic, online learning systems have added more challenges to the educational system which results in poor academic performance in this group. Increased stress is among the negative consequence which in turn can affect well-being. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) affects well-being and perceived stress in adolescents with low academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The subjects were 30 adolescents with low academic who were chosen based on by convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The research tools were the well-being, perceived stress questionnaires, and CBT. The experimental group received CBT intervention for 10 sessions, each for 120 minutes online, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were analyzed by the repeated measures analysis method. Results: Based on the obtained results, there was a significant effect of CBT on well-being and perceived stress in the experimental group. The finding indicated that CBT led to increasing wellbeing and reducing perceived stress in adolescents with low academic performance (P ≤ 0.05). This effect impact was persisted following 3 months in the experimental group as well. Conclusions: Considering the effectiveness of mentioned therapy methods on adolescents with low academic performance, it is necessary to apply such a way to improve the well-being of adolescents and relieve their stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, which consequently leads to academic and mental improvement. Moreover, CBT is a feasible and acceptable intervention in adolescents with low academic performance.

The Association between Depression and Perceived Stress among Parents of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children-The Role of Loneliness.

Having an autistic child significantly impairs the functioning of the family, including the wellbeing of the parents. The aim of this study was to assess whether loneliness mediates the relationship between perceived stress and the severity of depressive symptoms in the studied sample of parents. This cross-sectional study involved 39 parents of autistic children and 45 parents of non-autistic children. They completed a set of tests: a survey on sociodemographic and clinical data and psychometric questionnaires, i.e., Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI), De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS), and Perceived Stress Questionnaire (KPS). A rise in external and intrapsychic stress, independently, was linked to a rise in the severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of depression, loneliness and stress was higher among parents of autistic children compared with parents of non-autistic children. Intrapsychic stress exhibited an indirect effect through loneliness on the worsening of depressive symptoms.

Patients With Super Obesity Do Not Perceive Themselves as Being at Higher Risk for a More Severe Course of COVID-19 Infection.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to major health-related concerns in the population. Several risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19 disease have been identified, with obesity taking an important role. However, it is unclear whether this association is only known in the expert world or whether individuals also experience themselves as risk patients due to their obesity and whether the desire for weight reduction may also be associated with a hoped-for risk reduction. These questions were addressed in a cross-sectional study of patients who have presented to an obesity center in order to lose body weight.MethodsPatients (n = 155) of the obesity center were asked to complete an ad hoc questionnaire to assess whether the desire to lose weight is also associated with a hoped-for risk reduction with respect to COVID-19 disease during the middle of the pandemic in the period between October 2020 and April 2021. We additionally assessed their perceived general stress using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ).ResultsIn our explorative study, overall worries correlated significantly with worries about contracting COVID-19 (r = 0.483, p < 0.001). There has been an association with concerns about severe COVID-19 progression and psychological distress from the COVID-19 pandemic (r = 0.543, p < 0.001). In addition, a correlation was found between persons who worry about contracting COVID-19 and feeling like an at-risk patient (r = 0.530, p < 0.001). Interestingly, the higher the BMI (>50 kg/m2), the lower were the worries in PSQ (ANOVA p = 0.046). However, COVID-19-related worry was nonetheless present in the higher BMI subgroups. The most intense worries were experienced by individuals with a BMI between 35 and 39 (PSQ worries 50.44), immediately followed by individuals with a BMI between 40 and 49 (PSQ worries 49.36).Discussion and ConclusionAn increased risk for a more severe course of COVID-19 infection is not generally perceived by obese individuals. In particular, individuals with very high BMI (>50)—although being at very high risk for a severe course of the COVID-19 disease—do not display increased worries, which might point toward heightened denial.

Psychological Treatment Effects Unrelated to Hair-Cortisol and Hair-BDNF Levels in Chronic Tinnitus.

BackgroundCurrently, there are no objective markers to measure treatment efficacy in chronic (distressing) tinnitus. This study explores whether stress-related biomarkers cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) measured in hair samples of chronic tinnitus patients change after compact multimodal tinnitus-specific cognitive behavioral therapy.MethodsIn this longitudinal study, hair-cortisol and hair-BDNF levels, self-reported tinnitus-related distress (Tinnitus Questionnaire; TQ), and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Questionnaire; PSQ-20) were assessed before and 3 months after 5 days of treatment in N = 80 chronic tinnitus patients. Linear mixed-effects models with backward elimination were used to assess treatment-induced changes, and a cross-lagged panel model (structural equation model) was used for additional exploratory analysis of the temporal associations between TQ and hair-BDNF.ResultsAt follow-up, a reduction in TQ (p < 0.001) and PSQ-20 scores (p = 0.045) was observed, which was not influenced by baseline hair-cortisol or hair-BDNF levels. No changes in biomarker levels were observed after treatment. The exploratory analysis tentatively suggests that a directional effect of baseline TQ scores on hair-BDNF levels at follow-up (trend; p = 0.070) was more likely than the opposite directional effect of baseline hair-BDNF levels on TQ scores at follow-up (n.s.).DiscussionWhile the treatment effectively reduced tinnitus-related distress and perceived stress in chronic tinnitus patients, this effect was not mirrored in biological changes. However, the lack of changes in hair-cortisol and hair-BDNF levels might have been influenced by the treatment duration, follow-up interval, or confounding medical factors, and therefore must be interpreted with caution. The relationship between tinnitus-related distress and hair-BDNF levels should be explored further to obtain a better understanding of stress-related effects in chronic tinnitus.

Anxiety, Stress, and Resilience Strategies in Parents of Children with Typical and Late Psychosocial Development: Comparative Analysis.

The child’s developmental characteristics influence the psycho-social features in the behavior of parents. This aspect is relevant in building effective strategies for psychological and socio-educational assistance to parents for an increased quality of family life. The aim of the present study is to investigate the differences in anxiety, stress, and resilience strategies in the case of parents with children with late psychosocial development and those with children with neurotypical development. The research sample consisted of 620 subjects (380 women, 240 men, divided into two equal categories: parents of children with late development and with neurotypical development). The questionnaire survey (Levenstein’s Perceived Stress Questionnaire for stress and Hobfoll’s Strategic Approach to Coping Scale for resilience strategies) and interview (Hamilton’s Anxiety Rating Scale for anxiety) were used. The anxiety levels did not differ significantly (t = 0.45, p = 0.65), but there were differences in the perceived stress levels (t = −7.10, p = 0.03). As for resilience strategies, significant differences were found for assertive action, social communion, precautionary action, and seeking social support, which were more pronounced strategies that were used by parents of children with late psychosocial development.

Effects of Dragon Boating Intervention on Physical Function and Psychological Health of Breast Cancer Survivors

Exercise is important to counteract negative physical and emotional effects of breast cancer treatments. Dragon boating, a traditional sports event in China, has become a popular rehabilitation methods of breast cancer. This study examines effects of a dragon boating intervention on physical functioning and psychological health in breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer survivors (N = 40) were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The intervention group participated in a dragon boating intervention twice a week over a period of 14 weeks, with each lasted for 75 minutes and at a rate of stroke &lt; 60t/min. The control group received no intervention. Patients from both groups were measured at during 1 and 14 weeks on levels of physical functioning (30s arm curls for upper limb strength, shoulder range of motion for upper limb flexibility, 30s sit to stand for lower limb strength, sit and reach for lower limb flexibility, 4m leg lifting for aerobic endurance, and arm circumference for body circumference) and psychological health including self-efficacy (measured by German General-Self-Efficacy Scale), stress (by Perceived Stress Questionnaire; PSQ20), and fear and depression (by Hospital Depression Scale). Comparing pre- to post- intervention data, significant improvements were found for the upper limb strength test (+7.15%; p = 0.023), upper limb flexibility (+ 11.6%; p = 0.008) and aerobic endurance (+9.25; p = 0.009) in the dragon boating group. No changes in patient-reported outcomes, lower limb function and body circumference were observed following the 14 weeks study period in both groups (p &gt; 0.05). Data analyses also showed a significant difference between both groups regarding the subscale "joy" (p = .018). Several significant results within the intervention group were seen in self-efficacy (p = .014), fear (p = .009) and the overall score for fear and depression (p = .043). Both groups improved significantly within "worries" (pintervention = .006, pcontrol = .019) and the PSQ20 overall score (both ps = .005). The control group also significantly improved in the subscale for "demands" (p = .019). Our study showed that dragon boating intervention yielded significant improvements in upper limb strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance, and mental health level but not lower limb physical fitness, body circumference, or quality of life. The dragon boating alone may not be considered as being comprehensively effective enough to help breast cancer survivors regarding relevant physical and psychological issues, but it might be an important supplement within follow-up care. Future efforts may explore the effect of dragon boating intervention with different intensities on rehabilitation effect.

Predicting Role of Resilience and Meaning in Life in Perceived Stress of Frontline Health Care Workers during COVID-19 Outbreak

This paper investigates the predicting role of resilience and meaning in life on perceived stress of frontline health care workers treating patients with COVID-19. To measure the variables, a set of online questionnaires including Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSS), Meaning of Life Questionnaire (MLQ), and Resilience Questionnaire (CD_RISC) was prepared. Presence of meaning, search for meaning, notion of personal competence, tolerance and trust in intuition, acceptance and secure relationships, control, and spiritual influences were examined as predictors of perceived stress. Several frontline health care workers were included in the final study. To analyze the data, regression analysis method was used with SPSS-20 software. The results showed that: 1) the regression model of resilience and the presence of meaning in the life of health care workers on their perceived stress was significant (F (6,229)=45.14, p&lt;0.0001); 2) the predictive variables, in total, could explain 53% of the variance of perceived stress; 3) perceived stress correlated negatively with presence of meaning (β = −0.380, p&lt;0.05), with acceptance and secure relationships (β = −0.620, p&lt; 0.05), with control (β = −0.609, p&lt;0.05), and positively correlated with spiritual influences (β = 0.465, p&lt;0.05). Finding and maintaining meaning in life and improving acceptance, secure relationships, and sense of control would reduce perceived stress of frontline health care workers.

The effectiveness of detached mindfulness on perceived stress and sleep quality in patients with COVID-19

Introduction: Patients with Covid-19 experience high levels of stress and low sleep quality due to treatment isolation. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of faulty mindfulness on perceived stress and sleep quality in patients with Covid-19. Method: The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design with control group. The statistical population was all patients with Covid-19 in Khoy in 2021. From the list of people with positive molecular diagnosis test, 30 patients were purposefully selected, then randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Data were collected using Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSS) and Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI) in pre-test and post-test and then analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS-26 software. Results: The results show that the detached mindfulness between the two groups has a significant difference in the amount of perceived stress with F=38.69 at the level of 0.001 and sleep quality with F=59.36 at the level of 0.001; The magnitude of the effect of faulty mindfulness was obtained to reduce perceived stress (0.59) and improve sleep quality (0.50). Conclusion: Covid-19 is associated with a range of widespread psychological symptoms such as stress, depression and sleep problems. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that detached mindfulness can reduce patients' perceived stress and improve the sleep quality of patients. Therefore, the implementation of psychological intervention programs can prevent the continuation of psychological problems in patients.

The effect of hypnosis on perceived stress in women with preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND:Perceived stress is one of the causes of preeclampsia; one of the ways to manage mental stress is hypnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hypnosis on perceived stress in women with preeclampsia.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This randomized clinical trial was performed on 80 (40 people in each group) pregnant women 28–32 weeks with preeclampsia and hospitalized in two public hospitals in Mashhad in 2020. The Cohen Perceived Stress Questionnaire was first completed in two groups. Then, in the intervention group, three half-hour sessions of hypnosis were performed with an interval of 3 days (hypnosis consists of three sessions: each session is held for three consecutive nights). After each session, the intervention package, which included recording the dialogs of each session for posthypnotic suggestion, was delivered to the mothers on a CD to listen to every night before bed. The control group received routine care. Then, 2 weeks after the intervention, the Perceived Stress Questionnaire was completed by both groups. The results were analyzed by independent t-test, paired t-test, Mann–Whitney, Chi-square, Friedman and covariance tests, and by SPSS 16.RESULTS:At the beginning of the study, there was no statistically significant difference between demographic characteristics and the perceived stress score before the intervention between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, after the intervention, the mean perceived stress score was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups (P = 0.005). Perceived stress after the intervention was significantly reduced in the intervention group, which was significant between the two groups.CONCLUSION:Perceived stress in mothers with preeclampsia is reduced by hypnosis.