Stressful Experiences Research Articles

The empathy project: Staff confidence and training needs in psychosocial patient care

IntroductionRadiation Therapists (RT) must balance highly technical procedures and psychosocial patient care during their daily work practices. While RTs are in a unique position to form rapport with patients and provide support and information, many RTs lack confidence in the psychosocial care of patients, and struggle to identify and address emotional cues. This study aimed to assess the confidence, competence, and training needs of RTs regarding psychosocial patient care. MethodsAll RTs at the Radiation Oncology Princess Alexandra Hospital Deparmtents were invited to participate in an electronic survey in May 2021, and May 2023 via email. The survey was distributed using SurveyMonkey and utilised a series of Likert-scale and open-ended questions. ResultsStaff reported high confidence in addressing technical treatment issues (98 % of respondents) and communicating with anxious (78 %) and distressed (78 %) patients. However, lower confidence was indicated with managing patient conflict (58 %) and communicating with patients who were depressed (53 %) or suffering mental health conditions (74 %). Staff were concerned about saying the wrong thing and experienced stress when they couldn't adequately communicate with patients requiring psychosocial support.The most significant barriers to providing adequate psychosocial care included time, staff numbers, and workload. Staff requested training in emotional cues, communication, anxiety and depression, and understanding psychosocial and mental health conditions. ConclusionWhile staff perceptions and motivations of psychosocial care were overwhelmingly positive, further training is required to improve patient psychosocial care. Future steps include implementing psychosocial training resources in the departments, and reassessing staff confidence post training.

Social networking behaviour and psychological distress among Malaysian undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study investigated the extent of social networking sites usage and its relationship with the undergraduate students’ psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this quantitative correlational study, 212 students completed questionnaires assessing their social networking site use and psychological distress. Descriptive analysis revealed that the students were avid users of social networking sites. On average, almost half of the students used social networking sites more than six times per day while more than onethird of them spent more than three hours each day using social networking sites. Findings also showed that entertainment was the primary purpose of social networking site usage, followed by academic, social, and informational uses. Notably, nearly half of the students reported high levels of anxiety, and approximately one-third experienced significant depression and stress. However, correlational analyses found no significant associations between the length, frequency, and all purposes (social, academic, information, or entertainment) of social networking site usage and the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings suggest a complex interplay between these variables. Given the ever-increasing use of social networking sites and the alarming prevalence of mental distress among students, further studies are needed to delve deeper into this multifaceted relationship.

The emotional well-being and mental health of Hispanic immigrants in the United States: understanding the impact of traumatic experiences and coping styles

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study examined factors that impact the emotional well-being of Hispanic immigrants. This study considered the experience of stigma, acculturative stress, and traumatic events on the emotional well-being of Hispanic immigrants, while exploring various coping strategies that are employed. Data from 198 Hispanic immigrants in the United States was collected from an online survey, and a multiple linear regression was used with several predictor groups. Results indicated statistical significance between traumatic experiences, acculturative stress, positive/negative religious coping, and avoidant coping styles on the emotional well-being of Hispanic immigrants. These findings hold significance for social workers and offers considerations for assessment, treatment, and advocacy.

EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF TRANSCUTANEOUS VERSUS SERUM BILIRUBIN MEASUREMENTS IN MANAGING NEONATAL JAUNDICE IN PRETERM INFANTS

Objective: Managing neonatal jaundice effectively in preterm infants is crucial due to their increased vulnerability to bilirubin-induced neurological disorders. This study evaluates the efficacy of transcutaneous (TcB) versus serum bilirubin (TSB) measurements in this context. Methods: A total of 100 preterm neonates undergoing treatment for jaundice were assessed using both TcB and TSB measurements before, during, and after phototherapy. The study conducted paired t-tests and correlation analyses to evaluate the agreement between these two methods. Results: Before phototherapy, there was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.8319) between TcB and TSB, with a statistically significant mean difference (p = 0.0001). During phototherapy, TcB measurements were consistently lower than TSB, indicating significant discrepancies. The differences highlighted the influence of clinical interventions like phototherapy on the accuracy of TcB readings. Conclusion: The study validates transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB) as a non-invasive, effective alternative for jaundice monitoring in preterm infants. Despite some discrepancies with traditional serum bilirubin (TSB) measurements during phototherapy, the integration of TcB can decrease the reliance on invasive procedures. This research supports the potential of TcB to replace serum assessments, promoting a less stressful clinical experience for neonates while maintaining accuracy in therapeutic decisions. Future advancements are encouraged to enhance TcB measurement techniques to align more closely with serum bilirubin levels.

Early-Life Stress Influences the Transcriptional Activation of Alpha-2A Adrenergic Receptor and Associated Protein Kinase A Signaling Molecules in the Frontal Cortex of Rats.

Early life is a highly sensitive period associated with profound changes in brain structure and function. Adverse experiences of early-life stress (ELS) are prominent risk factors for the precipitation of major depressive disorder (MDD). In recent years, dysfunction of the central noradrenergic (NA) system and subsequent deficits in norepinephrine (NE) signaling have gained increasing attention in the pathophysiology of MDD. However, the role of the α-2A adrenergic receptor and its downstream second messenger signaling system has not been investigated in connection to early-life stress-induced depression, limiting valuable insights into neurobiological mechanisms underlying this disorder. In this study, we used maternal separation (MS) as a rodent model of ELS to investigate whether ELS-induced depressive behavior is related to the α-2A adrenergic receptor and its associated second messenger signaling cascade. To do so, we studied expression levels of the α-2A adrenergic receptor (Adra2a), G alpha proteins (stimulatory subunit-Gαs [Gnas] and inhibitory subunit-Gαi [Gnai1 and Gnai2]), and downstream protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic [Prkarcα and Prkarcβ] and regulatory subunits [Prkar1α, Prkar1β, Prkar2α, and Prkar2β]) in the frontal cortex (FC) of MS rats. We found reduced sucrose preference in MS animals, along with reduced transcript levels of Adra2a, Gnai2, Prkar1β, and Prkarcβ. These findings suggest that ELS exposure may contribute to depression symptomatology via alterations in the expression of key genes involved in the NA system, highlighting potential mechanisms underlying ELS-induced depressive behavior.

Prevalence of mental disorders and related risk factors in refugees and asylum seekers in Campania

IntroductionIn recent years, the increasing presence of refugees and asylum seekers displaced from their country of origin, determined significant social, economic, humanitarian and public health implications in host countries, including Italy. These populations are exposed to several potential stressful experiences which make them vulnerable to psychological distress. In fact, the majority of studies addressing the topic found a higher prevalence of mental disorders, especially post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, in refugees and asylum seekers with respect to the general population. However, heterogeneous prevalence rates have been reported among studies, due to methodological factor as well as to the impact of a variety of risk factors related to stressful experiences lived in the country of origin, during the migration journey and in the host country.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of the main psychiatric diagnoses in a large group of adult refugees and asylum seekers (N=303) in the reception centers of two provinces of the Campania region, as well as to investigate the impact of potential risk factors on the occurrence of psychiatric disorders.MethodsThe diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and the identification of subjects at high risk to develop psychosis were carried out by means of structured diagnostic interviews. The following variables were explored as potential risk/protective factors to the occurrence of psychiatric disorders: socio-demographic variables, migration status (refugees/asylum seekers) and characteristics of the reception center,assessed by means of an ad hoc questionnaire; cognitive indices assessed by using standardized neuropsychological tests; traumatic experiences and level of political terror in the country of origin, assessed by means of reliable and valid self-report questionnaires.ResultsAt least one mental disorder was found in 29.7% of the sample. Most prevalent diagnoses were depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and PTSD. Women showed, with respect to men, a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders, higher trauma levels, and came from more at-risk countries. Higher trauma levels, better cognitive abilities and unemployment and refugee status were associated to the presence of a current psychiatric disorder in the whole sample.ConclusionsOur findings showed a higher prevalence of depressive disorders and PTSD in the sample of refugees and asylum seekers with respect to the general population and highlighted the role of potential risk factors whose identification may guide the implementation of preventive strategies and early treatments in these people.

The Inherent Shield: Learning-Based Stress Symptoms Among People Diagnosed with Specific Learning Disability and Its Relationship with Dispositional Mindfulness

Background: Past research suggests that individuals with learning disabilities experience higher levels of emotional difficulties. Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationships between specific learning disabilities (SLDs) and learning-based stress symptoms (LBSSs). Further, this study examines whether dispositional mindfulness (DM) can be used as a moderating factor for these symptoms resulting from the same stressful learning experience. Methods: The sample consisted of 133 participants (73 male) aged 23–44 years (M = 34.41; SD = 9.69). In this sample, 56 reported that they have been officially diagnosed with a SLD. Participants completed an online survey comprising a demographics questionnaire, self-report SLD questionnaire, school learning-based stress symptoms, and five-facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ-24). Results: Results revealed that participants with an SLD had higher levels of LBSSs compared to the general population. Furthermore, findings revealed that DM significantly predicts LBSS levels. Conclusions: The present study provides further evidence on the impact of learning experiences on stress symptoms among individuals with SLDs, and this phenomenon we have termed as “learning-based stress symptoms”. Additionally, our findings introduce novel evidence that DM may influence the relationship between LBSSs and SLDs, suggesting that a high level of DM can serve as a protective factor against these learning-based stress symptoms.

Infants show negative changes in affect and physiology when re-experiencing a stressor, its context, and a positive event 24-h later.

Exposure to early life stress shapes further development, affects later stress reactivity, and mental health outcomes. Despite the central role of early experiences, there is little understanding of how these rapidly forgotten events gain their influence. An infant's ability to cope with everyday stressors is founded on successful co-regulation through mother-infant interaction. A significant disruption of this interaction through the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm elicits a well-documented behavioral and physiological stress response in infants. What has yet to be explored is whether infants show regulatory adaptions when encountering the situation over again. To fill this gap, 80 mother-infant dyads were observed in the lab on two consecutive days. Infants in the experimental condition (n=40) were exposed to a double Still-Face paradigm on day one. Infants in the control group (n=40) completed time-matched episodes of typical play during their first visit. Mother-infant dyads from both groups returned to the lab 24h later and participated in the double Still-Face paradigm. Changes in behavior (positive and negative affect), physiology (heart rate), and salivary cortisol, compared to day one and between groups, were evaluated and used to infer adaption to the previous experienced laboratory visit. Infants in the experimental condition showed a significant decrease in positive affect (p=0.016) and an increase in heart rate (p<0.001) on day two, compared to controls, even during baseline measures and a neutral first play episode. Infants in the control condition showed a significant decrease in affect (p=0.05) and non-significant increase in heart rate on day two when first encountering the Still-Face paradigm. Infants in the experimental condition showed significant higher heart rate on day two compared to the control group (p=0.046). Infants in the experimental condition also exhibited a marginally significant increase in salivary cortisol on day two, compared to day one (p=0.054). The change in infant heart rate was independent of maternal heart rate which did not differ between day one and day two, or between groups. Findings suggest that a previous stressful experience may elicit a behavioral and physiological adaption in infants 24h later. Our results suggest that even a short, acute stressful event can elicit a lasting stress response in infants 24h later. The effect we observed was specific to the context of the stressful event, not just the stressor. More precisely, the effect "spilled over" from the stressful experience on day one into the baseline measure of day two, usually a neutral experience. The results could have implications for further research on how stressful experiences may shape the stress response.

Real-time experiences of racism and stress in association with postpartum weight retention: A longitudinal ecological momentary assessment study.

Racial inequities in postpartum weight have been documented with limited studies on the influences of racism and other forms of discrimination. In a prospective longitudinal study applying ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and ambulatory assessment of weight, we measured the association between discrimination, stress and postpartum weight change. The Postpartum Mothers Mobile Study (PMOMS) is a cohort of 313 pregnant and birthing individuals who were followed during their second and third trimester through 1 year postpartum. They were recruited in clinical settings between 2017-2020 in a major city center in Pennsylvania. Measures of racism and gender-based discrimination were collected via random EMA surveys throughout pregnancy and postpartum; and weight was collected via blue-tooth enabled scales at least weekly. Among Black participants, a 10% increase in the number of days a participant experienced racial discrimination in the past month was associated with retaining 0.3 more pounds; 10% increase in EMA gender discrimination was associated with retaining 0.4 more pounds; and EMA stress reported in the past month was associated with decreased weight retention. Chronic experiences of racial and gender discrimination may contribute to weight retention immediately after pregnancy and beyond.

Near or mid-infra-red spectroscopy of the prefrontal cortex to identify previous stressful experience in an animal

Near or mid-infra-red spectroscopy of the prefrontal cortex to identify previous stressful experience in an animal

Prevalence and Impact of Stress in the Indian Population: A Retrospective Survey Analysis

Post-COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are experiencing various forms of stress. This study assessed the prevalence of stress among Indian adults, examined its physical and psychological impacts, and investigated stress management strategies, aiming to fill existing gaps in research. This retrospective observational study utilized an online survey from March 16, 2023, to July 30, 2023, using snowball sampling to target the Indian population. Respondents aged ≥18 years participated in the study. The survey collected data on demographic information, self-reported stress levels, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores. The chi-square test was applied for statistical analysis, and results with a p-value under 0.05 were considered significant. Among 1,479 respondents (638 males, 841 females; mean age: 23.7±7.7 years), 76.0% of respondents resided in Karnataka. Out of 1,479 respondents, 9.6% experienced mild stress, 84.9% experienced moderate stress, and 5.5% experienced severe stress according to the PSS. Females experienced significantly higher stress levels when compared with males (p=0.047), but both experienced moderate stress levels. Financial problems (20.7%) and studies (36.4%) were the most common stressors among respondents. They most frequently manage stress through personal strategies, such as sleeping and listening to music. The present study's findings indicate that, following the COVID-19 health crisis, moderate levels of stress are significantly prevalent in the Indian population, primarily due to academic and job-related pressures.

Effectiveness of Urea Molasses Multi-Nutrient Block Based on Fermented Coffee Fruit Peel on the Blood Profile of Sheep Experiencing Stress during Transportation

Transportation stress is influenced by trip duration, mileage, vehicle type, road conditions, loading and unloading, vehicle speed and environmental conditions. The provision of Urea Molasses Multi-Nutrient Block (UMMB) based on fermented coffee peel aims to overcome nutritional deficiencies and stress in livestock. This study was conducted experimentally with a non-factorial complete randomized design (RAL) with 4 treatments of A0 (without UMMB) as a control, A1 (UMMB based on fermented coffee peel 10%), A2 (UMMB based on fermented coffee peel 20%), A3 (UMMB based on fermented coffee peel 30%) and 4 replications. The parameters of the study were glucose levels, total protein and creatinine. The results showed that giving UMMB peel-based fermented coffee has a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on increasing glucose levels (16.03%), decreasing total protein levels (31.49%), and decreasing creatinine levels (2.71%). It can be concluded that giving UMMB based on fermented coffee peel up to 30% can overcome stress in sheep that experience transportation for 8 hours.

Analysis of associations of personality traits and stress with the level of serum cortisol in Sakha (Yakut) men

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that personality traits and stressful situations experienced in childhood could be associated with the level of serum cortisol. The sample included 121 healthy adult men of Yakut (Sakha) ethnicity aged 18 to 27 years. To assess personality traits, the TCI temperament and character questionnaire by R. Cloninger was used. Serum cortisol levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It was found that such a temperament trait as “reward dependence” is associated with higher level of cortisol in the blood (p = 0.04). Experienced stressful situations are associated with the character trait “self-transcendence” (p = 0.049) but do not significantly affect cortisol levels. In individuals with high levels of stress, significant correlations were found between the “novelty seeking” (r = 0.33) and “self-directedness” (r = 0.36) with serum cortisol levels, which may reflect the prolonged effect of stress on increasing the sensitivity of the adrenal cortex. The results indicate a possible connection between one of the human temperament traits “reward dependence” and higher levels of cortisol in the blood. A high level of experienced stress situations reduces scores on the character trait “self-transcendence.”

Nursing Home Administrators' Experiences of Work Stress and Intention to Quit during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted nursing home administrators (NHAs). This study explores licensed and employed NHA's perceptions about what work stress events would drive their turnover intentions (TI) in year three of the pandemic. As part of a larger survey-based research project collecting numerical and textual data, this study conducted content analysis with qualitative data. Narrative data from 3,859 discrete responses of 1,139 NHAs, from 50 states and Washington D.C, on two open-ended electronic survey questions asking about their work stress and TI were collected February - March 2022. Categories and subcategories were counted and discussed in context as themes. We identified 4 main narrative categories with subcategories about NHA's stress about the regulatory system (e.g., excessive, conflicting, changing regulations), staffing (e.g., insufficient, agency staff), organizational pressures (e.g., work overload), and macro system stressors (e.g. media representation of nursing homes). Three main TI categories with subcategories were identified: the LTC setting and system (e.g., regulatory demands, staffing, facility surveys); personal factors (e.g. stress, career opportunities), and others (e.g., "I would never quit," or "I already decided to quit"). Whole community disaster planning, person-centered surveyor training, improved regulatory guidance, simplified reporting, adequate guidance assistance, and adequate staff could mitigate NHA stress and TI during crises. Administrator resilience should be recognized. Solutions for supporting NHAs can include long-term care industry participation in public health disaster preparedness coalitions, consistent regulatory guidelines with established communication channels, and ongoing crisis leadership training for administrators.

Stress in Esports: A Qualitative Study on The Interplay of Player Experiences and Organizational Systems

Video games are designed for enjoyment and can benefit players, but in competitive settings such as esports they may lead to stress, a significant concern for players and coaches in competitive play due to potential negative psychological, social, and physical impacts. Since esports players are mostly adolescents and young adults, the vulnerability of their age underscores the need to investigate their stress experience. To this aim, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 First-Person Shooter (FPS) players and coaches (mean age 22.2) across A- to C-tiers. We examined players’ subjective stress experiences, team dynamics, and the broader esports organizational context. Findings reveal the players’ ability to recognize their stress signals and to make sense of stressful events, along with a stronger reliance on individual coping strategies over team-based or organizational resources, which remain largely inaccessible. Finally, we propose design strategies to strengthen esports players’ resilience and coping capacity in stressful environments.

Prospective associations between stressors and alcohol use from early adolescence to young adulthood in Mexican-origin youth in the United States.

Stressors experienced across multiple domains (e.g., family and peers) may contribute to alcohol use trajectories; however, little is known about the longitudinal links between stressors and alcohol use among Latinx youth. Guided by prior work on stressors and alcohol use, the present study used longitudinal data to examine whether Mexican-origin adolescents' (N = 674; 50% female; 28% Mexico born; 72% U.S. born) experiences of family and peer stressors across early to middle adolescence (Mage = 10.86, SDage = 0.51) predicted trajectories of alcohol use frequency and binge drinking from middle adolescence to young adulthood (Mage = 23.17, SDage = 0.59). Using two strategies for modeling stressors, we report results that showed more support for stressors across early adolescence as predictors of alcohol use trajectories when stressors were modeled as growth trajectories versus modeled as distal and proximal stressors. Findings underscore the need to consider strategies to attenuate the longitudinal links between stressors and alcohol use among Mexican-origin youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Situating Empathy in HCI/CSCW: A Scoping Review

Empathy is considered a crucial construct within HCI and CSCW, yet our understanding of this complex concept remains fragmented and lacks consensus in existing research. In this scoping review of 121 articles from the ACM Digital Library, we synthesize the diverse perspectives on empathy and scrutinize its current conceptualization and operationalization. In particular, we examine the various interpretations and definitions of empathy, its applications, and the methodologies, findings, and trends in the field. Our analysis reveals a lack of consensus on the definitions and theoretical underpinnings of empathy, with interpretations ranging from understanding the experiences of others to an affective response to the other's situation. We observed that despite the variety of methods used to gauge empathy, the predominant approach remains self-assessed instruments, highlighting the lack of novel and rigorously established and validated measures and methods to capture the multifaceted manifestations of empathy. Furthermore, our analysis shows that previous studies have used a variety of approaches to elicit empathy, such as experiential methods and situational awareness. These approaches have demonstrated that shared stressful experiences promote community support and relief, while situational awareness promotes empathy through increased helping behavior. Finally, we discuss a) the potential and drawbacks of leveraging empathy to shape interactions and guide design practices, b) the need to find a balance between the collective focus of empathy and the (existing and dominant) focus on the individual, and c) the careful testing of empathic designs and technologies with real-world applications.

Cardiovascular reactivity during conversations about discrimination is buffered by social support among U.S. Latines

Racial discrimination is conceptualized as an acute and chronic stressor. Like other acute stressors, lab-based studies demonstrate acute effects of discrimination-related stressors on stress-related cardiovascular outcomes, including total cardiac output, blood pressure, and indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity. Critically, it is important to understand how individual and social factors buffer the experience of race-related acute stress. The current study extends existing work by measuring cardiovascular indices of stress during conversations about racial/ethnic discrimination and examines the moderating role of social support. Latine/Hispanic participants (N = 97) talked about personal discrimination experiences with either a close other or a research assistant they had never previously met. Participants in both conditions exhibited cardiovascular reactivity indicative of stress during the conversation. Additionally, patterns of reactivity reflected a more adaptive stress response and recovery profile when participants talked about discriminatory experiences with a close other relative to a stranger (less parasympathetic withdrawal during the stressor and more parasympathetic rebound during recovery). These patterns are consistent with a stress buffering account of social support, which suggests social bonds and community-level support are critical to consider in interventions to mitigate the harms of experiencing discrimination and prevent chronic health disparities.

LBTQ parents’ bonding experiences after complicated births: managing minority stress and traumatic experiences

ABSTRACT Background Birth complications increase the risk of birth injuries and neonatal complications, as well as the risk of experiencing childbirth as a trauma. This, in turn, increases the risk of postpartum mental ill-health and may affect early bonding with the baby. Birth complications add additional stress on lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LBTQ) parents, as they also must navigate hetero- and cisnormative assumptions, being subject to othering, and negative attitudes from healthcare staff. Aim To explore LBTQ parents’ experiences of bonding with their child following a complicated birth. Methods Semi-structured interviews with 22 birthing and non-birthing parents. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Results The results describe obstructive and facilitating factors. Being traumatised was the main obstacle for mentally engaging with the baby. A focus on physical injuries and healing hindered caretaking and bonding for birthing parents. Stress related to their parental role was obstructive for some non-birthing parents, who struggled to find space to process their own experiences when the partner and/or child was not well. Other non-birthing parents experienced a head start in the bonding process when their partner was injured. Some birthing parents had positive bonding experiences despite the birth complications, as they felt an alliance with their child in the harsh situation. Conclusion Complicated births and minority stressors can increase the risk of bonding difficulties and mental ill-health. Tailored, LBTQ-competent care is essential to support both birthing and non-birthing parents in overcoming these challenges.

Menstruation experiences and its association with psychological distress among school-going adolescent girls of Nepal: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to assess the relationship between menstruation-related attributes and mental distress in adolescent girls. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rangeli Municipality, Nepal, among 270 adolescent girls. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated at a 5% level of significance to identify factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress. Of 270 adolescent girls, 28.9% (95% CI: 23.5%-35.2%) experienced anxiety, 14.4% (95% CI: 10.0%-18.5%) experienced stress and 32.2% (95% CI: 26.6%-37.4%) experienced depression. Low perceived family support during menstruation (aOR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.03-7.97), low perceived support from friends during menstruation (aOR: 4.09, 95% CI: 1.66-10.07) and experiencing moderate/severe dysmenorrhea (aOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.105-5.08) were associated with anxiety. Those with moderate/severe dysmenorrhoea had higher odds (aOR: 5.60, 95% CI: 1.56-20.05) of experiencing stress. Low perceived family support (aOR: 3.07, 95% CI: 1.08-8.67), low perceived support from friends (aOR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.11-6.89) and experiencing moderate to severe dysmenorrhoea (aOR: 3.56, 95% CI: 1.63-7.79) were associated with depression. The findings underscore the importance of proper management of dysmenorrhoea and need for social support from both family and friends during menstruation as these factors are associated with psychological distress among adolescent girls.