Self-perception Of Stress Research Articles

Biological factors and self-perception of stress in relation to freeze-like response in humans

Many animals react to threatening stimuli such as a predator attacks by freezing. However, little experimental research investigated freeze response in humans. Here, we have employed practices commonly used in self-defense training to create two unique scenarios simulating armed physical threat. Sixty healthy men volunteers divided into three groups of twenty (untrained, trained but unexperienced, trained and experienced) underwent these scenarios accompanied by measurement of biochemical, physiological, and psychological markers of stress. Our results show that untrained individuals exhibit stronger freezing reactions, while highly skilled participants display the lowest propensity for freezing, especially in high-intensity scenarios. Moreover, the study shows variations in anxiety levels and selected biomarkers, with cortisol and osteocalcin showing different patterns in low and high-intensity scenarios, and suggests a complex interplay between these factors, electrodermal activity, and stress perception. The project was primarily supported by the project 22-36623S from the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic. The project was supported by the project MUNI/A/1403/2018 Evaluation of self-defense scenario training and stress tolerance among students of study program SESB and ASESB by Masaryk University, Grant Agency of Masaryk University, Faculty of Sports Studies. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Self Perceptions of Stress in Caregiving Moderate Associations of Within and Between Caregivers’ Physical Health Symptoms

AbstractBackgroundThe success of dementia care requires the full support from the caregivers with the goal of delaying the disease’s progress. Studies over decades have reinforced that the knowledge, attitude, and skills of caregivers are crucial parameters of the success of in‐community care for dementia. Nevertheless, studies have identified that many caregivers, across different culture and ethicity, are not well prepared emotionally or practically to be the caregivers and this will result in stress, particularly when their stress are ignored by medical professionals during this long journey of care.MethodThis is a mixed‐method research to examine how self‐perceptions of aging (SPA) moderated within‐ and between‐caregivers Self‐perceived stress (SPS) associations with physiological health symptoms (PHS) and daily physical health symptoms (DPHS). SPA was measured by the Philadelphia Geriatric Centre Morale scale. SPS was measured by Zarit Burden Interview Scale and Revised Memory and Behaviour Problem Checklist. DPHS was measured daily through an adapted symptom checklist.ResultA pilot study of 20 caregivers reported significantly more physical health symptoms compared to individuals with lower perceived stress on average (p < .05). SPA significantly moderated associations between both within‐ and between‐persons perceived stress (SPS) and physiological health symptoms (PHS) (ps < .05).ConclusionMore positive SPA significantly dampened the impact of perceived stress, suggesting the importance of SPA as an individual characteristic within stress processes. Future work should examine how daily changes in SPA may exacerbate or mitigate the impacts of daily stress processes and health outcomes.

Biological factors and self-perception of stress in relation to freeze-like response in humans

Many animals react to threatening stimuli such as a predator attacks by freezing. However, little experimental research investigated freeze response in humans. Here, we have employed practices commonly used in self-defense training to create two unique scenarios simulating armed physical threat. Sixty healthy men volunteers divided into three groups of twenty (untrained, trained but unexperienced, trained and experienced) underwent these scenarios accompanied by measurement of biochemical, physiological, and psychological markers of stress. Our results show that untrained individuals exhibit stronger freezing reactions, while highly skilled participants display the lowest propensity for freezing, especially in high-intensity scenarios. Moreover, the study shows variations in anxiety levels and selected biomarkers, with cortisol and osteocalcin showing different patterns in low and high-intensity scenarios, and suggests a complex interplay between these factors, electrodermal activity, and stress perception.

Psychological Stress in Parents of Children with Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-sectional Study from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Atopic dermatitis is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin condition that has profound impacts on quality of life of patients and their family. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychological stress in parents of children with atopic dermatitis in Korea, using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). This cross-sectional study included parents of participants under 19 years of age (970 with atopic dermatitis and 5,733 without atopic dermatitis after excluding those who meet the exclusion criteria) from the 2009 to 2012 KNHANES. The psychological stress state was evaluated with the following four questionnaire items: self-perception of stress, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and diagnosis of depression by a physician. After adjusting for age, gender, education level, occupation, and marital status, logistic regression analyses indicated that mothers of children with atopic dermatitis had a higher frequency of stress perception (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.46 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.22-1.74), p < 0.01) and suicidal ideation (aOR 1.40 (95% CI 1.1-1.79), p < 0.01) than those without atopic dermatitis. In contrast, fathers of children with atopic dermatitis did not show a significant difference in all items compared with those of children without atopic dermatitis. Understanding the psychological stress in parents of children with atopic dermatitis is important for clinicians, since evaluation, management and support for parents, especially mothers, of children with atopic dermatitis are required.

Stress self-perception and burnout in chiropractic students in a lockdown situation due to COVID-19: A cross-sectional and comparative study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if COVID-19 lockdown affected stress-perception and burnout in chiropractic students from our institution. Stress and burnout in students were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The surveys were sent out electronically in March 2020 to chiropractic students enrolled at our college. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and t test or analysis of variance to determine statistically significant differences between variables. Data were compared with that obtained in 2018, under no lockdown conditions. The survey had an overall response rate of 48.94%. Women presented statistically significant higher values for stress (p = .002) and exhaustion (p = .007). Younger students tended to suffer more stress than their older peers. When comparing lockdown data with that of 2018, students presented significantly lower stress levels but higher cynicism. Women presented higher values for stress and exhaustion than the men. When comparing data with a prior study in 2018 with no lockdown situation, current students appeared to have lower levels of stress but increased cynicism.

Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Methods for Coping with Stress among Female Saudi University Undergraduates

Exposure to stress among undergraduate university students, without enough coping methodologies might lead to deterioration in academic level and psychiatric complications. The current study aimed at evaluating the stress prevalence among the undergraduates of Princess Nourah University (PNU), assessing their level of awareness of symptoms indicating stress, and comparing the pharmacological coping methods with the non-pharmacological methods in terms of effectiveness in reducing stress. For this, a questionnaire was developed in Arabic, based on the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) as a reference, measuring the prevalence of distress, depression, anxiety or somatization. In addition, various strategies of stress management were assessed. The response rate among the study subject was 97.7% (n=510). The prevalence of self-perception of being stressed was significantly higher in health colleges compared to non-health colleges. A significant number of the participants diagnosed as having somatization, anxiety, depression or distress were aware of the problem and have stress self-perception (P&lt;0.001). Different chronic co-morbidities were correlated with stress self-perception, where diabetes had the highest significant effect. Alarmingly, the method most significantly used to cope with stress was taking medications. In conclusion, the prevalence of stress was high, especially among health colleges’ undergraduates. Most participants with stress self-perception used medications to cope with their stress. It is, thus, recommended that campaigns should be held among university students for raising the awareness of the dangers of persistent stress and the hazards of self-medication to cope with stress.

Tracking of risk factors for non-communicable diseases in young shooters, Ituiutaba, MG

The aim of this study was to detect early hypertension, diabetes and obesity, as well as their risk factors, in 105 young shooters from Tiro de Guerra 11-002 in the city of Ituiutaba-MG. This is a cross-sectional mixed study. A semi-structured questionnaire that contained questions related to the sociodemographic context, health status, lifestyle, eating habits, and psychosocial variables was applied. Blood pressure, anthropometric indexes, and lipid and glycemic profiles were measured. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson’s correlation test and Spearman’s coefficient, considering significative value (p &lt; 0.05). The shooters had an average of 18.9 years old, most educated and brown. Anthropometric indices indicated a mainly eutrophic population, and normotensive and desirable lipid and glycemic profiles. However, overweight, high blood pressure, and self-declaration of family history for chronic diseases were identified. In addition, most shooters affirmed to ingest alcoholics beverages, to have insufficient time of physical activity, and to be aware of their levels of stress, pressure and anxiety and a few hours of sleep. Overall, the shooters showed good anthropometric and biochemical indicators of blood. Risk behavior, such as drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking, low level of physical activity and self-perception of stress, anxiety and pressure were also noted.

Sobrecarga de trabalho e estresse

Estudos identificam que metade dos trabalhadores da Atenção Primária à Saúde apresentam risco moderado a alto de desenvolver sofrimentos mentais associados ao trabalho, entre eles a Síndrome de Burnout. Desde 2016, profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde na cidade do Rio de Janeiro vêm sofrendo grandes desafios em relação ao seu crescimento, valorização e estabilidade, com aumento da violência na cidade e da sobrecarga de trabalho, após a diminuição no número de equipes. Devido a isso, vêm relatando um maior nível de estresse, tanto na vida social quanto no ambiente de trabalho. Os grupos terapêuticos são uma estratégia de abordagem de situações emocionalmente complicadas, utilizada desde o início do século XX. Este trabalho relata a experiência de um grupo terapêutico voltado para funcionários de uma unidade de Atenção Primária à Saúde no Rio de Janeiro. O objetivo da atividade grupal foi: constituir um espaço de suporte, diálogo, reflexão, escuta ativa e elaboração de estratégias que auxiliassem os profissionais de saúde a se sentir mais empoderados e resilientes. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório e descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, com registros das reuniões e entrevista semiestruturada aplicada aos participantes depois do desenvolvimento do grupo. Durante as reuniões, foi identificada uma autopercepção de elevado nível de estresse e de sobrecarga de trabalho. Houve uma boa aceitação e aproveitamento do grupo e, pelo relato dos participantes, foram alcançados os objetivos de diminuição do estresse e de suporte mútuo. Atividades de grupos nesse modelo podem contribuir para melhorar o ambiente de trabalho e a saúde dos funcionários, levando a uma melhor oferta dos serviços de saúde.&#x0D;

Gender-Specific Association between Alcohol Consumption and Stress Perception, Depressed Mood, and Suicidal Ideation: The 2010-2015 KNHANES.

ObjectiveAlcohol drinking can cause various psychiatric and medical diseases. Although women generally consume less alcohol than men, they may be at a greater risk for alcohol-related psychological distress. The aim of the current study is to evaluate whether the association between alcohol consumption and psychological distress, including stress, depressed mood, and suicidal ideation and the risks of psychological distress differ based on gender. MethodsThe cross-sectional study included 31,657 participants (17,915 women and 13,742 men) from the 2010–2013 and 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Alcohol drinking and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) levels were assessed for evaluating the amount of alcohol intake and alcohol-related problems. Self-perception of stress, depressed mood, and suicidal ideation were assessed for evaluating psychological distress. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for psychological distress were calculated using multiple logistic regression models. ResultsThe risks of psychological distress were not significantly associated with drinking level in both sexes. However, the risks of psychological distress were associated with an increase in AUDIT levels, and there were gender differences in the psychological consequences of alcohol-related problems. The association was more drastic in women, and women showed a significant association even though the severity of drinking problem was low with the exception of stress perception. ConclusionThe risks of psychological distress were associated with the severity of alcohol-related problems and women were more likely to be susceptible. Therefore, it is recommended that women even at low-risk for problematic drinking should be screened for psychological distress.

Physical, Emotional and Catastrophizing Upshots of Chronic Pain the Study On Pain Stress

There are original physical basis of pain, even when an anatomical site or pathophysiological basis cannot be established, but pain also recognizes the importance of affective, cognitive, behavioral, and social factors as contributors to chronic illness behavior. It is also linked with Catastrophizing in relation with sufferer’s threshold of pain intensity, pain related disability and psychological distress are found to be significantly high regardless of any type of pain. Unlike acute nociceptive pain chronic pain is not self-limiting and usually neurological in origin, it may evolve in the damaging of either central nervous system or peripheral nervous system results into anxiety, fear, depression, sleeplessness and lack of social interaction so there is a self-perception of stress. In this study Stress has been taken as an amplified condition of psychological effects which is being induced by chronic pain. Aim of the present study was to highlight the presence of physical and emotional constraint relative to other related stresses like traumatic, nutritional and mental stress among chronic pain survivor both by observing the ability and intensity to catastrophize. In a cross sectional study, 140 individuals have been enrolled from general population who have been suffering from any type of chronic pain with exception of Menopausal women, Cardiovascular diseases, Nephropathy and cancer, and age between 18 to 50 years. For evaluation multistage random selection procedure have been performed by governing questionnaire to examine their pain duration, intensity, frequency, and degree of multi psychological feeling using PCS of Michael JL Sullivan and stress by SSS. It is concluded that sufferers rise to the challenge of difficult painful situations that leads to a number of psychophysiological disorders and raised emotional distress, especially depressive symptoms, these are often poorly controlled. On the basis of the available evidence that it is not clear whether chronic pain sufferers really do have higher levels of distress compared to others it is recommended that ability of being catastrophize as well as emotional and physical distress can be improved by various relaxation and counselling therapies that can relieve the cycle of pain.

AUTOPERCEPCIÓN DE LA ANSIEDAD EN MAESTROS DE PRIMARIA DE BADAJOZ Y CASTELO BRANCO

Abstract:ANXIETY SELF-PERCEPTION IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION TEACHERS OF BADAJOZ AND CASTELO BRANCOThis study makes part of another broader one whose aim is analyzing the influence of the emotional competence on the social environment of a class and on the pupils’ academic performance. In particular, this part of the study intends to know the degree of Anxiety Self-Perception in Elementary Education teachers of educational centers of Castelo Branco (Portugal) and Primary Education teachers in the town of Badajoz (Spain), as an aspect which makes a condition of the teaching quality. To do so they designed an investigation, in which the results of an Anxiety Self-Percetion Test were contrasted in situations of the educational context carried out by Portuguese and Spanish teachers. As a general conclusion, the anxiety and stress self-perception in Spanish teachers is higher than in Portuguese ones, especially regarding the motor appearances, where we can find significant differences.Keywords: anxiety, teachers, school.Resumen:Este estudio forma parte de otro más amplio cuya finalidad es analizar la influencia de la competencia emocional en el clima social de un aula y en el rendimiento académico de los alumnos. Concretamente, esta parte del estudio pretende conocer el grado de Autopercepción de la Ansiedad en Maestros de Enseñanza Básica de centros educativos de la ciudad de Castelo Branco (Portugal) y en Maestros de Educación Primaria de la ciudad de Badajoz (España), como aspecto que condiciona la calidad de la enseñanza. Para ello se diseñó una investigación, en la que se compararon los resultados de un Test de Autopercepción de Ansiedad en situaciones del contexto educativo cumplimentado por profesores portugueses y españoles. Como conclusión general, la autopercepción de la ansiedad y el estrés de los docentes españoles es superior al de los portugueses, sobre todo en lo que concierne a las manifestaciones motoras, en las que existen diferencias significativas.Palabras clave: ansiedad, docentes, escuela.

Estresse em cuidadores de crianças com transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade

Objetivou-se avaliar o estresse, auto-percepção de estresse e de fatores estressantes em cuidadores de crianças com Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH). Participaram 40 cuidadores, divididos em: Grupo clínico (G1) – 20 cuidadores de crianças diagnosticadas com TDAH; Grupo de comparação (G2) – 20 cuidadores de crianças sem TDAH. Utilizaram-se os instrumentos: Questionário de Capacidades e Dificuldades, Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp, Questionário de Auto-Percepção de estresse. Os resultados apontaram percentual de cuidadores com indicadores de estresse significativamente maior no G1 do que encontrado no G2 (p = 0,001). No G1 houve maior percepção de estresse no convívio com a criança (p &lt; 0,001), no cuidado com a criança (p &lt; 0,001) e maior percepção de estresse (p = 0,003) quando comparados ao G2. Destaca-se a necessidade de cuidado ao cuidador, pois a vivência de estresse afeta a qualidade de vida, bem como a relação e o vínculo entre este e a criança.

Differences in Academic Specialization Regarding Stressor Perception, Coping and Stress Effects Perception in Young Students

This study aims to highlight how academic specialization influences the variables: self-perception of stress, coping mechanisms in students at the Faculty of Psychology and students from the Faculty of Chemistry. This study involved 63 subjects, final year undergraduate students at two universities, with different profiles. Hypothesis 1 was supported by the data. Research results have shown that academic specialization significantly influences self-perception of stressors in students of Psychology and students of the Faculty of Chemistry observing that students from the Faculty of Chemistry have significantly higher stress levels than the students from the Faculty of Psychology.

Family members of individuals suffering from mental disorders: Stress and care stressors

Following the reform in mental health care, the family began to assume a significant role in the psychosocial rehabilitation of individuals suffering from mental health issues, which has made family members susceptible to stress. This study evaluated the manifestation of stress, self-perception of stress, and perception of stressors in care provided by family caregivers to individuals suffering from mental disorders. Fifty-four caregivers of patients being cared for in a mental health service for at least one year participated in the study. The following were used: the Lipp Stress Symptom Inventory, and a complementary instrument. The results were analyzed through descriptive and non-parametric statistics. Half of participants manifested stress. Caregivers considered contact with patients and the caregiver role as the most stressful factors. The conclusion is that caregivers have difficulties in providing informal mental care and need support to development strategies to deal with stressful care situations.

Praxis-Induced Myoclonic Seizures are Significantly Associated with Different Self-Perception Trigger Factors

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) with praxis-induced seizures consists of a complex group of generalized epileptic syndromes. The aim of the present study was identifying the association between self-perception trigger factors and myoclonic jerks. Twenty-two patients were submitted to a protocol of neuropsychological activation (NPA) during video-electroencephalography (video-EEG) methods for 4-6 hours. A questionnaire was applied regarding patients' self-perception of factors that precipitate of seizures comparing with the video-EEG findings. Stress and sleep deprivation were perceived as triggers by 81.82%, followed by mental concentration (36.36%) and manual activities (31.82%). Praxis-induced seizures occurred in 36.4% of these patients. Self-perception of stress (81.82%), flashing lights (22.73%) and reading (13.64%) as triggering factors was significantly associated with triggering myoclonic seizures during video-EEG. We conclude that main finding of this study is the strong correlation between self-perception of trigger factors and actual trigger factors for seizures.

Profissionais de saúde mental: estresse e estressores ocupacionais stress e estressores ocupacionais em saúde mental

Os profissionais de saúde mental se encontram particularmente vulneráveis ao estresse, em vista das características do trabalho que desempenham. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar manifestações de estresse, autopercepção de estresse e fatores estressantes do trabalho em profissionais de serviços substitutivos de saúde mental. Participaram 25 trabalhadores com pelo menos seis meses de atuação profissional. Aplicaram-se os instrumentos Inventário de Sintomas de Estresse para Adultos de Lipp e Roteiro Complementar. Os dados quantitativos foram tratados por meio de estatística descritiva, e os demais, analisados qualitativamente. Verificou-se que 36,0% dos profissionais apresentavam manifestação de estresse e que 44,0% deles se percebiam sob estresse. Condições de trabalho e relacionamento no trabalho foram os fatores mais frequentemente associados à percepção de estar sob estresse. Concluiu-se que os profissionais vivenciam estressores associados às mudanças relativas ao paradigma psicossocial de atenção, o que mostra a necessidade de intervenção direcionada ao desenvolvimento de estratégias de enfrentamento às situações ocupacionais estressoras.

The Influence of Alexithymic Characteristics on the Self-Perception and Facial Expression of a Physiological Stress State

Background: In spite of the connection of alexithymic characteristics to many stress-related disorders, little is known about the effects of these characteristics on the self-perception of stress, which may have functional value in the regulation of daily behavior. The present study assessed the influence of alexithymic characteristics on the self-perception of stress in relation to the corresponding physiological/expressive responses during and while recovering from a phasic stressor. Methods: A median split of the scores on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale was used to divide 32 healthy middle-aged men into two groups, a high alexithymia (HA) and a low alexithymia (LA) group. Both groups participated in a 3-min hand-grip task, followed by a 3-min recovery period. During these periods, subjects’ heart rate (HR) and facial electromyographical (EMG) activity on the corrugator supercilii and frontalis lateralis areas were measured and perceptions of exertion, unpleasantness and tension were self-rated. The perceptual style was assessed with the discrepancy scores: standardized scores of the physiological measures were subtracted from the corresponding standardized scores of the perceptions. Thus, positive scores indicated that self-reported perceptions exceeded the corresponding physiological or expressive activity (overestimation) and negative scores indicated the opposite (underestimation). Results: The HA group decreasingly underestimated exertion in relation to HR during the task and increasingly overestimated it during the recovery period. The HA group also overestimated unpleasantness in relation to the corrugator EMG response during the recovery period. Conclusions: High alexithymic characteristics seem to predispose to the delayed self-perception of physiological stress state so that the beginning of this state may remain subjectively unnoticed and the subjective recovery from it prolonged relative to the physical recovery. During this prolonged subjective recovery the feelings of unpleasantness are not facially expressed. The consequences of this style for health-related behavior are discussed.