Perceived Stress Questionnaire Research Articles

Variations in Relationships Between Perceived Stress and Birth Outcomes by Immigration Status.

Past research shows that stress during pregnancy predicts adverse birth outcomes. These patterns might differ based on immigration status. Our objective was to analyze differences in relationships between perceived stress during pregnancy and birth outcomes by immigration status. We recruited 81 pregnant women in Canada for a prospective longitudinal study of stress during pregnancy and infant development. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Questionnaire at 16-18, 24-26 and 32-34weeks of pregnancy. Birth records were available for 73 women, including 24 non-immigrants, 18 long-term immigrants (≥ 5years), and 31 recent immigrants (< 5years). We used General Linear Models to test relationships between perceived stress and birthweight, birthweight for gestational age Z-scores, and gestational age, and differences based on immigration status. Controlling for sociodemographic covariates, we observed interactive relationships between immigration status and perceived stress with birthweight at 16-18 (p = 0.032, partial η2 = 0.11) and 24-26weeks pregnancy (p = 0.012, partial η2 = 0.15). Results were similar for birthweight for gestational age Z-scores at 16-18weeks (p = 0.016, partial η2 = 0.13) and 24-26weeks pregnancy (p = 0.013, partial η2 = 0.14). Perceived stress predicted smaller birthweight measurements among long-term immigrants. No relation was found between perceived stress, immigration status and gestational age. Risk of adverse health outcomes, including birth outcomes, tends to increase with duration of residence among immigrants. Stress during pregnancy might represent one risk factor for adverse birth outcomes among long-term immigrant women. Promoting psychosocial health screening and care among immigrant women, and assuring continued care with acculturation, might improve both maternal and infant health outcomes.

Prevalence of obesity and association between body mass index and different aspects of lifestyle in medical sciences students: A cross-sectional study.

AimThe global obesity pandemic is a major health problem with adverse effects on physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of obesity and the association between BMI and different aspects of lifestyle.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsData collected from 380 medical sciences students using demographic characteristics and Eating Behavior, Physical Activity and Perceived Stress Questionnaires were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, namely analysis of variance (ANOVA), t test, Pearson's test and multivariate linear regression model.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity and overweight was 3.2% and 25.3%, respectively. There was a positive and significant statistical association between emotional eating (r = .542), extrinsic eating (r = .488) and perceived stress (r = .489) with BMI, also significant and an inverse association was obtained between emotional eating (r = −.488) and total physical activity score (r = −.394) with BMI. Factors such as sex, total physical activity score and leisure time activity, external eating behaviours, emotional eating, restricted eating and perceived stress had a significant role in explaining BMI changes.ConclusionThere is a need to develop interventions to improve dietary behaviours, management stress and access to sports facilities by health‐promoting activities and the provision of online health resources.

Prediction of Child Development based on Social Determinants of Health: A Path Analysis

Background: Many factors can effect on children's abilities and development. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of some risk factors as maternal health on child development using path analysis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total number of 608 mothers and their children, multistage sampling method, in the city of Yasouj, Iran. The data collection instrument was questionnaire-based. The researcher-made questionnaire included a demographic characteristics information form for mothers and a child profile form. Other questionnaires included Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Socioeconomic Inventory, Social Support Appraisals (SS-A) scale, Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSS-14), Perceived Stress Scale (14 items), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI-II), and Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale. Mothers completed the questionnaires in 4 days and after that handed them over to the researcher in the kindergartens.To analyze the data, the SPSS software version 20.0 and LISREL 8.8 and path analysis test were used. Results: Amount of developmental delay was 17.4% and the minimum and maximum delays were reported in problem-solving, personal-social skills and communication domains. There was a significant correlation between developmental status of children and socio-economic status, depression, social support, anxiety and marital satisfaction but correlation between developmental status of children and perceived stress was not significant. The final path model fitted well (RMSEA= 0.018, CFI= 1, NFI=1, IFI=1). Maternal anxiety had the most significant effect on child development (βTotal = -0.24722). Conclusion: Many factors including socio-economic status, maternal anxiety, perceived stress, social support, anxiety, and depression can affect on the developmental status of 3 to 5 year-old children.

Characteristics of Slovenian Adults in Community-Based Whole-Food Plant-Based Lifestyle Program.

Objective Adopting a plant-based diet (PBD) and lifestyle is healthy, sustainable, and increasingly popular, while also demanding. Individuals might face challenges to maintain this lifestyle. We aimed to determine the anthropometric values and lifestyle factors and motives of adults to adopt a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle by joining our ongoing, community-based, WFPB lifestyle program 0.5–10 years ago. Methods We measured body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage status (BF%) using bioimpedance. Lifestyle status was obtained by standardized electronic questionnaires. For evaluating the motives for following strict PBD, the participants were asked to rank 8 different motives (i.e., 8: the most-, 1: the least important). Setting. A cross-sectional study in Slovenia. Participants. A total of 151 healthy adults with an average age of 39.6 years (SD: 12.5 years). Results The participants had an average BMI of 23.9 kg/m2 (SD: 3.8 kg/m2) and an average BF% of 22.3% (SD: 7.3%), were physically very active, with an average Long International Physical Activity Questionnaire (L-IPAQ) score of 5541.2 metabolic equivalents (METs) min/week (SD: 4677.0 METs min/week), having good sleep quality, with an average Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of 2.7 (SD: 1.8), perceiving low stress, and with an average Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) score of 0.29 (SD: 0.1). We discovered no significant differences in lifestyle between participants who were involved in our WFPB lifestyle program for short, medium, or long periods of time. The motives for WFPB lifestyle included health benefits (score: 7.9/8), body mass management (6.3), eating to satiety (4.9), convenience (4.3), environmental concerns (4.1), affordability (3.7), animal ethics (3.6), and religious reasons (1.1). Conclusion A WFPB lifestyle program for any length of time that includes an extensive support system provides favorable, long-term lifestyle changes.

Acupuncture in persons with an increased stress level-Results from a randomized-controlled pilot trial.

BackgroundIn today’s Western societies a high percentage of people experience increased or chronic stress. Acupuncture could serve as treatment for persons affected adversely by the increased stress.MethodsThe AkuRest study was a two-centre randomized controlled pilot study in adult persons with increased stress levels. Participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: verum acupuncture treatment, sham acupuncture, and a waiting control group. The feasibility of the study was assessed. In addition, effects on stress level (measured by the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-20)) and other variables were assessed at the end of treatment and a 3-month follow-up.ResultsAltogether, N = 70 persons were included in the study. At the end of the treatment 15.7% were lost to follow-up. The adherence to the protocol was good: 82.9% of the participants completed 100% of their treatment. The stress level of the participants was high at baseline (mean PSQ-20 score 75.5, SD = 8.2). Effect sizes (ES) at T1 showed that verum and sham acupuncture were superior to the waiting condition in reducing stress (ES (verum) = -1.39, 95%-CI = [-2.11; -0.67]: ES (sham) = -1.12, CI = [-1.78;-0.44]). At follow-up, effect sizes were in favour of the verum group (as compared to sham). However, confidence intervals and t-tests showed that these differences were not significant.ConclusionThe pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of the acupuncture RCT in persons with increased stress levels. Estimated parameters can be used to design a larger RCT to prove the–here indicated—efficacy of verum acupuncture to decrease stress.Trial registration numberISRCTN15259166.

An Exploratory Assessment of Sleep Patterns, Burnout and Perceived Stress of a Cohort of Active Duty Military Physicians.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction: Physician well-being is crucial and has the potential to impact patient safety. Many physicians across different stages of their careers experience stress, burnout, and/or decreased sleep. These factors can negatively affect physician well-being and performance and contribute to medical errors. The purpose of this study is to further understand physician well-being by examining a single cohort for patterns of sleep, burnout, and perceived stress across gender, training level, and specialty. Materials and methods: A cohort of 32 practicing military physicians ranging from first-year residents to experienced attendings continuously wore an actigraphy watch for a duration of at least 5 days to capture baseline sleep patterns. On the last day of data collection, participants completed a self-reported assessment of their daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), a two-item burnout scale adapted from the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and a 10-item perceived stress questionnaire. Data for the entire cohort were descriptively analyzed. Results: The cohort had a mean sleep duration of 6.69 hours across the 5 days, with a maximum mean sleep duration of 7.90 hours, and a minimum mean sleep duration of 5.69 hours per day. Analysis stratified by gender and level of training revealed an average sleep duration of at least 6 hours across these groups. Overall, the cohort reported low perceived stress levels, low daytime sleepiness, and low burnout. Conclusion: The cohort of physicians examined in the present study did not show signs of significant sleep deprivation, feelings of perceived stress, or burnout. This may be due to military culture and the structure of military training facilities that emphasize duty hour regulations. In addition, these findings may be related to the fact that military health professionals are salaried, as opposed to being on a fee-for-service schedule, and military facilities offer well-being programs.

The effectiveness of problem-solving education on perceived stress and quality of life of mothers with children with special learning disabilities

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of problem-solving education on perceived stress and quality of life of mothers with children with specific learning disabilities in Tehran in 2019. By using the convenience sampling method, 40 mothers (20 for each group) were selected having children with special learning disabilities in Tehran and they were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received seven 60-minutes sessions of problem-solving training and the control group remained on the waiting list. Data were collected using the perceived stress questionnaire and quality of life questionnaire. The results show that the mean of experimental group decreased in perceived stress of mothers with children with specific learning disabilities compared to the control group. It can be said that problem-solving training has been effective on the perceived stress and quality of life of mothers of children with specific learning disabilities; therefore, the results represent new horizons in clinical interventions.

Mental health of postgraduate trainees in primary care: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundGeneral Practitioners (GPs) are increasingly affected by stress-related complaints and burnout. Although many studies have addressed this issue, little is known about the stress burden and burnout rates of postgraduate trainees specialising in General Practice (GP). This cross-sectional study was performed to explore the prevalence and risk of depression, stress and burnout in a large cohort of GP trainees.MethodsAll GP trainees enrolled in the postgraduate training programme KWBW Verbundweiterbildungplus© in southwest Germany were invited to participate. A paper-based survey for the purpose of psychosocial screening was used: Prevalence of depression, perceived stress and burnout were measured with the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-20) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Additionally, linear regression models were used to analyse the association between sociodemographic characteristics and mental health scales.ResultsN = 211 GP trainees participated in this study (response rate 95%). 75.3% (n = 159) of the participants were female and median age was 34 (IQR 32; 39). GP trainees had a mean PHQ-9 sum score of 5.4 (SD 3.4). Almost 11% (n = 23) reported symptoms of a moderate or moderately severe depression. PSQ-20 revealed moderate level of distress, whereas 20.8% (n = 42) showed a high level of perceived stress with a sum-score higher than .59. GP trainees showed moderate rates of burnout and only 2.5% (n = 5) scored high in all three dimensions of the MBI score. GP trainees showed increased levels of depression, perceived stress and burnout when compared with age-matched general population. Being a woman led to a higher PHQ-9 sum score (p < .05). Higher age was associated with less depersonalisation in the MBI (p < .05).ConclusionsThe results of our study suggest that GP trainees considerably suffer from stress. Some GP trainees were even affected by depression or burnout. To detect and support colleagues at risk, trainees should be supported by early preventive measures such as anti-stress or resilience trainings and mentoring during their training. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to understand the character and the course of the stress burden among GP trainees.

PFLEGEprevent - A Randomized Controlled Intervention Study on the Effectiveness of a Prevention Program on Caregiver Workload

Care staff in Germany is being increasingly affected by physical and mental stress, which is reflected in high number of sick days and early retirement rates. A prevention program that addresses the specific needs of caregivers - strengthening their resources in dealing with workloads and daily challenges- was developed in the project PFLEGEprevent. The prevention program was implemented in an RCT and its effects on stress, work ability and quality of life were evaluated. The randomized controlled intervention study was conducted with 6 survey periods over 9 months. Targeted data were collected using validated tools: Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Work Ability Index (WAI), Recovery-Load Questionnaire for work (EBF-Work 27), Short Form-Health Survey (SF-12) and WHO-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Descriptive analyses and the t-test for independent samples to compare changes in primary and secondary outcomes between study groups were conducted. A total of 125 (92% female, average age 46.7 years) caregivers participated in the study. There were significant group differences in changes of the target size to the follow-up measures up to 9 months. Especially stress was reduced in the long term in the intervention group. Overall well-being in this group improved significantly from baseline to follow-up. The evaluation of the prevention program showed a positive effect in the measured outcome of perceived stress. In other outcomes, significant group differences could be shown after 1 and 3 months.

Social Support, Perceived Stress, Socio-Demographic Factors and Relationship Quality among Polish Mothers of Prematurely Born Children.

Families with a prematurely born child may be exposed to various difficulties associated with prematurity. The study aimed to explain the relationship between social support and the quality of the partnership among mothers of children born prematurely. In addition, the coexistence of social support, perceived stress and social-demographical factors in the neonatal period was examined. The study group consisted of 260 mothers of preterm born children. Subjects completed The Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, The Social Support Sources Questionnaire (SSQ), The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). In the second phase of the study, mothers completed The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Person’s correlation coefficients were used to examine the variables and hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed to examine the relative contributions of social support on partnership relation quality. The study results showed that social support is positively related to partnership relationship quality among mothers of preterm born children. Social support measured in the neonatal period is not connected with relationship quality measured in the early childhood period. Social support is related with the father’s level of education and perceived stress corresponds with the level of parents’ education. The findings highlight the importance of expanding supportive resources for couples dealing with premature birth, especially among those with a lower level of education and lower financial status.

Protocol for Research on a Model Focused on Mindfulness Training to Support Weight Management after Bariatric Surgery

Abstract Objectives Bariatric surgery has been proposed as a potential treatment for individuals who are severely obese. However, the literature indicates that 20–50% of bariatric patients, experience weight regain 18–24 months after surgery. In addition, some studies suggest that a large percentage of bariatric patients present with inability to respond appropriately to hunger and satiety cues and have difficulty dealing with stress. These factors might ultimately impact successful long-term weight management. Mindfulness meditation has been proposed as an approach that can reduce stress and increase awareness of physical sensations, such as hunger and satiety, while promoting increases in psychological flexibility. Based on these factors and research on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we developed a model: The Mindfulness Meditation/Acceptance and Commitment Approach (MMACT), to support successful weight management in bariatric patients. This study will evaluate the impact of a mindfulness training, based on the MMACT model, on the constructs of mindfulness, psychological flexibility, perceived stress, and intuitive eating in adults post-bariatric surgery. We hypothesized that such intervention will increase mindfulness and psychological flexibility, which will lead to a decrease in perceived stress and an increase in intuitive eating. Methods Individuals 12 to 36 months post-bariatric surgery will be recruited to participate in a 6-session mindfulness training program. The training will take place in group settings of 8–10 participants (final n = 45) and outcome measurements will be assessed at three time points, baseline, six and ten weeks. Results The impact of the training on outcome measurements (i.e., mindfulness, psychological flexibility, perceived stress, and intuitive eating) will be evaluated through four validated questionnaires, the Short Form Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, and the Intuitive Eating Scale – 2. Conclusions Evaluation of the MMACT will provide further insight into what factors may impact perceived stress and intuitive eating in bariatric patients and determine the feasibility of mindfulness-based trainings in this population. Funding Sources C.V. Starr Scholarship.

0229 Exploring the Relationships Between Sleep, Stress, and Performance in Simulation-Based Learning

Abstract Introduction Sleep deprivation and stress may affect performance among students. Simulation-based learning (SBL) in undergraduate nursing programs provides the opportunity for students to practice critical decision-making without fear of patient harm; however, students still report experiencing stress during SBL. Current research is unclear on the effect of sleep deprivation combined with stress on performance in SBL. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between stress, functional outcomes of sleep, and performance in SBL. Methods Elements of the Theory of Stress, Appraisal, and Coping and the National League for Nursing Jeffries Nursing Education Simulation Framework guided this study. Baccalaureate nursing students consented to participate in a 1-hour SBL experience that included the collection of one hair and 4 saliva samples for cortisol concentration. Participants completed the Functional Outcomes of Sleep- Short Form and the Perceived Stress Questionnaire. An experienced faculty member evaluated student performance using the Creighton Competency Evaluation Inventory. Results Participants (N=35) were mainly female (n=32, 91.4%), white (n=29, 82.9%), with ages ranging between 18–22 years (n=32, 91.4%), and employed outside of nursing school (n=32, 91.4%). Other ethnicities represented include Asian and African American. Kendall’s Tau correlations revealed a significant relationship between functional outcomes of sleep and perceived stress (r=-.281, p=.020). Although not significant, a small relationship was observed between functional outcomes of sleep and performance (r=.145, p=.236). No significant relationship between performance and perceived stress (r=-.099, p=.423) was identified. Conclusion This study suggests that daytime dysfunction related to sleep is related to perceived stress and performance in undergraduate nursing students during participation in SBL. Due likely to small sample size, the relationship between sleep and performance was unable to achieve significance. These findings support the need for future research exploring the effects of sleep on stress and performance with larger more heterogeneous samples of students. Support This researcher would like to acknowledge and thank the following funding sources for their generous support of this work: Marion Bender Scholarship (Saint Louis University School of Nursing), Dissertation Award from Sigma Theta Tau International-Epsilon Eta Chapter, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing Faculty Scholar Award.

Postpartal Affective and Endocrine Differences Between Parents of Preterm and Full-Term Infants.

BackgroundDuring the postpartum period, new parents frequently experience emotional stress and exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety, accompanied by substantial endocrine changes. However, evidence predominantly exists from parents of full-term infants, while data on parents of preterm infants are scarce. In this exploratory, cross-sectional study, we compared psychological well-being and endocrine parameters in parents of very preterm and term born infants.MethodsMothers (N = 28) and fathers (N = 30) of full-term infants as well as mothers (N = 18) and fathers (N = 21) of very or extreme preterm infants (< 32nd gestational week) were recruited in the days following birth. Anxiety, depression, and perceived stress were assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), respectively. Physiological measures included serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (mothers only), as well as the salivary cortisol awakening response (mothers and fathers).ResultsNew mothers and fathers of very preterm infants exhibited higher scores of depression, anxiety and stress than parents of term infants. Besides, mothers of very preterm infants showed lower levels of estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin, as well as a heightened post-awakening cortisol response compared to mothers of term infants. Furthermore, in mothers of preterm infants we found significant negative associations between serum prolactin levels and BDI and STAI scores, respectively.ConclusionsParents of very preterm infants suffered from a higher burden of psychological distress than parents of full-term infants. The affective symptoms in preterm mothers were accompanied by altered endocrine profiles that, at least to some extent, may contribute to the psychological changes. The profound psychological and physiological disturbances in mothers of preterm infants may have an impact on long-term mental health and early pharmacological and psychological interventions may help to ameliorate postpartum affective symptoms.

Mindfulness versus Physical Exercise: Effects of Two Recovery Strategies on Mental Health, Stress and Immunoglobulin A during Lunch Breaks. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This research analyses the effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) and physical exercise (PE), practised as daily recovery activities during lunch breaks, on perceived stress, general mental health, and immunoglobin A (IgA). A three-armed randomized controlled trial with 94 employees was conducted for five weeks including two follow-up sessions after one and six months. Daily practice lasted 30 min maximum. Perceived stress and general mental health questionnaires and saliva samples were used. There were significant differences in time factor comparing pre- and post-test of Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) both for PE [Mdiff = 0.10, SE = 0.03, p = 0.03], and for MM [Mdiff = 0.09, SE = 0.03, p = 0.03]. Moreover, there were significant differences of interaction factor when comparing MM vs. PE in total score at pre-post [F = −2.62 (6, 168.84), p = 0.02, ω2 = 0.09], favoring PE with medium and high effect sizes. Regarding General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) variable, practicing MM showed significant effects in time factor compared to pre-Fup2. No significant differences were found for IgA. Thus, practicing both MM and PE as recovery strategies during lunch breaks could reduce perceived stress after five weeks of practice, with better results for PE. Moreover, practicing MM could improve mental health with effects for 6 months.

The Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire: development and validation amongst medical students and workers

BackgroundA valid and efficient stress measure is important for clinical and community settings. The objectives of this study were to translate the English version of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) into Chinese and to assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the PSQ (C-PSQ). The C-PSQ evaluates subjective experiences of stress instead of a specific and objective status.MethodsForward translations and back translations were used to translate the PSQ into Chinese. We used the C-PSQ to survey 2798 medical students and workers at three study sites in China from 2015 to 2017. Applying Rasch analysis (RA) and factor analysis (FA), we examined the measurement properties of the C-PSQ. Data were analyzed using the Rasch model for item fit, local dependence (LD), differential item functioning (DIF), unidimensionality, separation and reliability, response forms and person-item map. We first optimized the item selection in the Chinese version to maximize its psychometric quality. Second, we used cross-validation, by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), to determine the best fitting model in comparison to the different variants. Measurement invariance (MI) was tested using multi-group CFA across subgroups (medical students vs. medical workers). We evaluated validity of the C-PSQ using the criterion instruments, such as the Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8) and the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS). Reliability was assessed using internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha, Guttman’s lambda-2, and McDonald’s omegas) and reproducibility (test–retest correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient, [ICC]).ResultsInfit and/or outfit values indicated that all items fitted the Rasch model. Three item pairs presented local dependency (residual correlations > 0.30). Ten items showed DIF. Dimensionality instruction suggested that eight items should be deleted. One item showed low discrimination. Thirteen items from the original PSQ were retained in the C-PSQ adaptation (i.e. C-PSQ-13). We tested and verified four feasible models to perform EFA. Built on the EFA models, the optimal CFA model included two first-order factors (i.e. constraint and imbalance) and a second-order factor (i.e., perceived stress). The first-order model had acceptable goodness of fit (Normed Chi-square = 8.489, TLI = 0.957, CFI = 0.965, WRMR = 1.637, RMSEA [90% CI] = 0.078 [0.072, 0.084]). The second-order model showed identical model fit. Person separation index (PSI) and person reliability (PR) were 2.42 and 0.85, respectively. Response forms were adequate, item difficulty matched respondents’ ability levels, and unidimensionality was found in the two factors. Multi-group CFA showed validity of the optimal model. Concurrent validity of the C-PSQ-13 was 0.777, − 0.595 and 0.584 (Spearman correlation, P < 0.001, the same hereinafter) for the Chinese version of the PSS-10, SF-8, and GADS. For reliability analyses, internal consistency of the C-PSQ-13 was 0.878 (Cronbach’s alpha), 0.880 (Guttman’s lambda-2), and 0.880 (McDonald’s omegas); test–retest correlation and ICC were 0.782 and 0.805 in a 2-day interval, respectively.ConclusionThe C-PSQ-13 shows good metric characteristics for most indicators, which could contribute to stress research given its validity and economy. This study also contributes to the evidence based regarding between-group factorial structure analysis.

Stress in paramedics: relationships with coping strategies and personality traits

PurposeThough working in the ambulance service implies persistent confrontation with human suffering and exposure to significant work-related stressors, previous research revealed comparatively low self-reported stress in paramedics. This study investigated stress, personality traits, sensation seeking and resilience in paramedics. Moreover, the impact of psychological variables on individual differences in paramedics' stress burden was explored.Design/methodology/approachA convenience sample of 395 paramedics and 397 professionals from other disciplines completed the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Stress Coping Style Questionnaire, Big Five Inventory, Sensation Seeking Scale and Resilience Scale. Multivariate group comparison and regression analysis were performed.FindingsCompared to other professionals, paramedics reported lower stress burden, more positive and less negative coping strategies, lower neuroticism and higher extraversion, conscientiousness, openness, agreeableness, adventure seeking and resilience. In the regression analysis conducted on paramedics, positive coping, resilience, extraversion and conscientiousness negatively predicted perceived stress; negative coping and neuroticism were positive predictors.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross-sectional design of the study limits the interpretability of the data.Practical implicationsTraining in stress management and resilience should be core elements in the education of paramedics.Originality/valueThe findings confirm the notion of reduced stress burden and increased resilience in paramedics. Regarding personality traits, a pattern of emotional stability, conscientiousness, extraversion, prosocial attitudes and propensity to exciting experiences might characterize this group. Moreover, the use of adaptive coping strategies, high levels of resilience, extraversion and conscientiousness and low neuroticism are associated with lower stress burden in paramedics.

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on stress in diabetes mellitus patient

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on stress level of Diabetes Mellitus Type II patient. A quasi-experimental pre post-test with control group design was used in this study. The number of samples amounted to 21 respondents in the treatment group and 21 respondents in the control. The sampling technique simple random sampling. The instrument in this study was a Cohen perceived stress questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by bivariate analysis used t-test independent. The results show that there is no effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on the stress value of respondents (p value 0.363). However, PMR exercises have a positive impact on DM Type II patients as complementary nursing therapy in reducing stress. It is advisable for patients to do PMR exercises independently after getting nurse assistance during treatment.

Psychological burden, stressors and resources of social workers working with women and children who suffered extreme violence by the ‘Islamic state’: A mixed method study

ObjectiveThis explorative study aimed to determine the extent of psychological burden in social workers working with traumatized refugees. In addition, distressing and helpful factors determining the psychosocial burden were to be identified and described. MethodsCross-sectional, mixed method design using quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative part included the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and items to assess specific factors of the working-context. The qualitative part is based on 5 focus groupdiscussions and 16 individual interviews. Evaluation was carried out using qualitative content analysis (QCA) including cross-analysis along the subscales of the PSQ to organise the qualitative material. ResultsN = 54 social workers completed the questionnaire. High scores were found for all subscales of the PSQ. The distressing factor rated the highest was need of interpreters to communicate (M = 5.1, SD = 1.71), the helpful factor rated the highest was communication skills (M = 6.35, SD = 0.73). In the QCA, aspects of distressing and helpful factors were identified and further detailed. ConclusionAccording to the here presented study results, the psychological burdens of social workers working with refugees seem to be high. The impact of distressing factors such as working with interpreters and exposure to trauma content or PTSD symptoms might be reduced by offering specific education and supervision. The individual extent of psychological burden should be considered and (re-)evaluated on a regular basis as secondary prevention. Helpful factors like self-care, teamwork, networking and cooperation are evident and should be supported by implementing professional and psychological support.

Personality Traits, Perceived Stress, and Tinnitus-Related Distress in Patients With Chronic Tinnitus: Support for a Vulnerability-Stress Model.

BackgroundDespite vulnerability-stress models underlying a variety of distress-related emotional syndromes, few studies have investigated interactions between personality factors and subjectively experienced stressors in accounting for tinnitus-related distress.AimThe present study compared personality characteristics between patients with chronic tinnitus and the general population. Within the patient sample, it was further examined whether personality dimensions predicted tinnitus-related distress and, if so, whether differential aspects or levels of perceived stress mediated these effects.MethodApplying a cross-sectional design, 100 patients with chronic tinnitus completed the Freiburger Persönlichkeitsinventar (FPI-R) measuring personality, the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-20) measuring perceived stress and the German version of the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ) measuring tinnitus-related distress. FPI-R scores were compared with normed values obtained from a representative German reference population. Mediation analyses were computed specifying FPI-R scores as independent, PSQ20 scores as mediating and the TQ-total score as dependent variables.ResultsPatients with chronic tinnitus significantly differed from the general population across a variety of personality indices. Tinnitus-related distress was mediated by differential interactions between personality factors and perceived stress dimensions.ConclusionIn conceptualizing tinnitus-related distress, idiosyncratic assessments of vulnerability-stress interactions are crucial for devising effective psychological treatment strategies. Patients’ somatic complaints and worries appear to be partly informed by opposing tendencies reflecting emotional excitability vs. aggressive inhibition – suggesting emotion-focused treatment strategies as a promising new direction for alleviating distress.

Perceived Stress Levels in Adult Patients With Uveitis.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine perceived stress levels in adult patients with uveitis.Patients and Methods: One hundred seventy-three adult consecutive uveitis patients (age range 18 to 85 years) were analyzed in a cross-sectional design for their perceived stress, according to the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). Stress levels were classified into normal stress, moderate stress, and high stress.Results: In the majority of uveitis patients a normal stress level (82%) within the last 2 years was detected. In a subgroup analysis, perceived stress of the patients with active uveitis compared with patients with non-active uveitis was significantly higher within the last 2 years (n=80 active/n = 45 non-active; p = 0.005).Conclusions: Overall 18% of the uveitis patient had raised perceived stress, similar to the general population but patients with active uveitis were significantly more stressed. Therefore, consideration of stress levels may be important in the therapy of uveitis patients.