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International Prevalence and Correlates of Psychological Stress during the Global COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Maheen M. Adamson

    (Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
    Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
    Co-first Authors.)

  • Angela Phillips

    (Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
    Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
    Co-first Authors.)

  • Srija Seenivasan

    (Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Julian Martinez

    (Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Harlene Grewal

    (Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • Xiaojian Kang

    (Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA)

  • John Coetzee

    (Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
    Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Ines Luttenbacher

    (Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1001 NH Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Ashley Jester

    (Science and Engineering Libraries, Stanford Libraries, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Odette A. Harris

    (Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • David Spiegel

    (Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

Abstract

This study reports perceived stress and associated sociodemographic factors from an international sample of adults, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) along with socio-demographic questions were conducted between 8 April 2020 and 11 May 2020. The survey was translated from English into five languages. Recruitment was conducted worldwide using social media. A total of 1685 survey responses were collected across 57 countries with eleven countries (≥30 responses/country) included in the sub-analyses. Overall, the mean PSS-10 score was 19.08 (SD = 7.17), reflecting moderate stress compared to previously reported norms. Female gender was associated with a higher PSS score (3.03, p < 0.05) as well as four-year degree holders (3.29, p < 0.05), while adults over 75 years (−7.46, p < 0.05) had lower PSS scores. Personal care composite score (including hours of sleep, exercise, and meditation) was associated with lower PSS scores (−0.39, p < 0.01). Increases in personal care and changes in work expectations were associated with lower PSS scores (−1.30 ( p < 0.05) and −0.38 ( p < 0.01), respectively). Lower total PSS scores were reported in Germany (−4.82, p < 0.01) compared to the global response sample mean. This information, collected during the initial period of global mitigation orders, provides insight into potential mental health risks and protective factors during crises.

Suggested Citation

  • Maheen M. Adamson & Angela Phillips & Srija Seenivasan & Julian Martinez & Harlene Grewal & Xiaojian Kang & John Coetzee & Ines Luttenbacher & Ashley Jester & Odette A. Harris & David Spiegel, 2020. "International Prevalence and Correlates of Psychological Stress during the Global COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9248-:d:459995
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Erik Brynjolfsson & John J. Horton & Adam Ozimek & Daniel Rock & Garima Sharma & Hong-Yi TuYe, 2020. "COVID-19 and Remote Work: An Early Look at US Data," NBER Working Papers 27344, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Cristina Mazza & Eleonora Ricci & Silvia Biondi & Marco Colasanti & Stefano Ferracuti & Christian Napoli & Paolo Roma, 2020. "A Nationwide Survey of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-14, May.
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    2. Wei Liang & Yanping Duan & Borui Shang & Chun Hu & Julien Steven Baker & Zhihua Lin & Jiali He & Yanping Wang, 2021. "Precautionary Behavior and Depression in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Cross-Sectional Study in Hubei, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Kunal Desai & Pratibha Gupta & Priti Parikh & Alpa Desai, 2021. "Impact of Virtual Heartfulness Meditation Program on Stress, Quality of Sleep, and Psychological Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Method Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-10, October.
    4. Jorge Quintas & Ana Guerreiro & Maria João Leote de Carvalho & Vera Duarte & Ana Rita Pedro & Ana Filipa Gama & Inês Keygnaert & Sónia Dias, 2022. "The Implication of the First Wave of COVID-19 on Mental Health: Results from a Portuguese Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, May.
    5. Terence Moriarty & Kelsey Bourbeau & Fabio Fontana & Scott McNamara & Michael Pereira da Silva, 2021. "The Relationship between Psychological Stress and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors during COVID-19 among Students in a US Midwest University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.

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