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Aim: This study aims to explore the physiological effect of forest bathing on stress management. Methods: A total of 29 volunteers participated in this pre-post design, which lacked a control group. Several physiological parameters were recorded, including heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), electrodermal activity (EDA), blood pressure (BP), immunoglobulin A (IGA), and salivary cortisol (sCort). Additionally, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was administered before forest exposure. Measurements were taken before and after participants spent 2 days fully immersed in a forest environment. To further assess stress management, participants completed a Mental Arithmetic Task (MAT) before and after forest immersion, during which EDA, HRV, and HR were monitored using an Empatica E4 wristband. Measurements were taken at baseline, during MAT, and afterward (recovery). Results: Participants exhibited moderate perceived stress levels before forest immersion (mean PSS-10 = 21.22, SD = 3.78). Post-forest exposure, there was a significant decrease in sCort (p < 0.05) and EDA (p < 0.001), while HRV increased (p < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure rose (p < 0.05). ANOVA results from the MAT showed a significant increase in parasympathetic activity across all conditions post-immersion (p < 0.05), except during recovery, while EDA decreased in all conditions post-forest exposure (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Shinrin-yoku significantly improved stress management at a physiological level and could be a valuable intervention for individuals experiencing stress. However, longitudinal studies with a control group are necessary to determine whether these effects are sustained over time. Nonetheless, this study highlights the potential benefits of forest immersion for stress reduction by enhancing sympathovagal balance and the adaptability of the stress response system. Created with biorender.com. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased sick leave among educators can detrimentally impact students' productivity, and academic achievement. It remains unknown whether the number of sick days taken by educators in the preceding school year correlates with the prevalence or severity of psychological problems among educators in the subsequent school year. Objective: This study aimed to examine the number of self-reported sick days taken by educators in three Canadian provinces during the 2021/2022 academic year and its association with measures of stress, burnout, low resilience, depression, and anxiety during the 2022/2023 school year. Methods: Data was collected from educators in three Canadian provinces, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, from September 1, 2022, to August 30, 2023. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educator Survey (MBI-ES), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the Perceived Stress Scale were used to assess burnout, resilience, and stress, respectively. Likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and likely Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scales, respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 28. Results: A total of 763 subscribers completed all the demographic, professional questions, and clinical scales, giving a response rate of 39.91%. Of these, there were 94 (12.3%) males and 669 (87.7%) females. Educators who reported taking 11 or more sick days in the previous academic year were at least three times more likely to exhibit high stress, emotional exhaustion, likely GAD, low resilience, and likely MDD than educators with no sick days during the preceding year. Similarly, educators with 11 or more sick days had significantly higher mean scores on the GAD-7 scale, the PHQ-9 scale, the PSS-10, the MBI Emotional Exhaustion subscale, and the MBI Depersonalization subscale than those with zero sick days. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant association between sick days and the prevalence and severity of high stress, low resilience, burnout, anxiety, and depression among educators. Short-term sick leave can escalate into long-term absences without adequate support for teachers. Governments and policymakers in the education sector must foster a supportive environment that enables teachers to thrive and effectively perform their professional role without taking prolonged sick days, which can undermine student learning and achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic stress is a condition characterized by prolonged stimulation, leading to mental and physical weakness. It can have detrimental effects on individuals' mental health and cognitive function, potentially causing various health issues. This article explores the potential of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, specifically transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), in managing chronic stress and improving sleep quality. Methods: The study conducted a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial with participants experiencing chronic stress. In total, 100 participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: the anodal tDCS group (n = 50), the sham tDCS group (n = 50), the taVNS group (n = 50), or the sham taVNS group (n = 50). Within each condition, participants received five sessions of either active treatment or sham treatment, with 20 min of tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (2 mA) for the tDCS groups, or taVNS on the left ear (20 Hz) for the taVNS groups. At baseline, post-intervention, and 4 weeks thereafter, we evaluated stress using the Lipp's Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (LSSI), perceived stress through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and sleep quality via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: The tDCS and taVNS interventions resulted in reduced stress levels, improved sleep quality, and enhanced perception of stress. Discussion: These findings suggest that tDCS and taVNS hold promise as effective treatments for chronic stress, offering a safe and accessible approach to improving individuals' wellbeing and overall quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Perceived stress and depression were indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in square-cabin hospitals. It was paramount to understand their mediating effects, which might detonate factors that led to mental illness. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate perceived stress and depressive symptoms among patients with COVID-19 in Shanghai square-cabin hospitals from April 18 to May 19, 2022. The questionnaire included the Perceived Stress Scale 10, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10. Results: This study investigated the chain-mediating roles of perceived social support and resilience in the relationship between perceived stress and depression. Perceived stress positively predicted depression (r = 0.613, p < 0.01), negatively correlated with perceived social support (r = -0.318, p < 0.01) and resilience (r = -0.398, p < 0.01). In the chain mediating model, perceived stress had significant direct predictive effects on depression, and significant indirect predictive effects on depression through perceived social support and/or resilience. Conclusion: It showed that higher perceived social support and resilience were associated with lower perceived stress among COVID-19 patients, which might lead to symptoms of mild depression, and highlights the importance of resilience and perceived social support in reducing depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological aspects (emotional regulation, self-control, mood states, and perceived stress) and components of run-up variability in horizontal jumps and to conduct comparisons based on sex, events (long jump and triple jump), and contextual situations (training versus competition). Methods: A total of 10 elite-level athletes (five males and five females) with a mean age of 27.14 (±4.25) years were recruited for the study. All participants had competed nationally or internationally and had 13.10 (±3.48) years of athletic experience. Data were collected during competitions and training sessions for 5 weeks. The participants completed the Brunel Mood Scale, Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, Brief Self-Control Scale, and Visual Analogical Scale of Perceived Stress before each session. The components of run-up variability of successful and failed attempts were measured using video analysis. Data were analyzed using a t-test, Pearson's correlation, and Cohen's d. Results: Athletes specializing in long jump and triple jump displayed similar psychological and run-up variability characteristics. However, females showed higher values for tension and depression, whereas males had higher run-up speeds and vigor. In competitions, athletes tended to have higher vigor, lower fatigue and confusion, an earlier beginning of the adjustment phase, fewer failed attempts, and higher run-up speed than during training. Emotional regulation is inversely related to depression in women during competitions, whereas higher self-control is associated with fewer failed jumps. Conclusion: Athletes competing in the long jump and the triple jump do not differ in psychological traits and run-up characteristics, which suggests that similar training strategies can be used in both events. However, different solutions should be used considering the sex of athletes, with a particular focus on utilizing emotion regulation tools to modulate depression in female jumpers. It is recommended to include training sessions that simulate competition demands, primarily to ensure the early onset of the run-up adjustment phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Children and adolescents with diabetes face challenges that can significantly impact their quality of life. Investigating psychological interventions for stress management can equip them with the skills needed to cope with type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the impact of a brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention on stress management, diabetes acceptance, psychological flexibility, and patient-doctor relationships among this population. Methods: A total of 55 children, and adolescents from Romania participated in a four-session ACT intervention for type 1 diabetes. The evaluation instruments used were the Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C), Acceptance and Action Diabetes Questionnaire (AADQ), Children's Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire (CPFQ), and Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9). Results: The participants (mean age = 14.14, SD = 2.26; 67% girls) reported lower stress levels, increased acceptance of diabetes, and greater psychological flexibility after the intervention. Additionally, the patient-doctor relationship was enhanced, potentially improving patient adherence to treatment. Positive qualitative feedback mirrored previous ACT research in the paediatric population, highlighting the beneficial role of experiential activities and metaphors when working with this target group. Discussion: This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of ACT in enhancing healthy coping strategies among children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early environmental risk have been found to be related to lifelong health. However, the impact of childhood unpredictability, a type of early environmental risk, on health, especially on sleep quality in adulthood, has not been adequately studied. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between childhood unpredictability and sleep quality in adulthood and to explore the possible mediating roles of life history strategy and perceived stress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 472 participants from a university in Zhejiang Province, China. The questionnaire inquired about demography, childhood unpredictability, life history strategy (Mini-K), perceived stress (14-item Perceived Stress Scale), and Sleep Quality (Pittsburgh Global Sleep Quality Index). Results: Higher childhood unpredictability was significantly associated with worse sleep quality in adulthood. Moreover, the link between higher childhood unpredictability and worse sleep quality in adulthood was explained by the chain mediation of life history strategy and perceived stress. Conclusion: In line with the life history theory, individuals who have experienced higher unpredictability in childhood tend to develop a faster life history strategy and become more sensitive to stress in adulthood, and subsequently suffer a decrease in sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suboptimal health status (SHS) represents a third state between health and disease and often progresses into chronic conditions, negatively impacting an individual's well-being. Studies have shown that mindfulness has a beneficial effect on various SHS symptoms. This study aims to explore the influence of mindfulness on SHS and its underlying mechanisms, with a particular focus on examining the mediating roles of stress and social support. Methods: A total of 173 healthy Chinese college or graduate students, with an average age of 21.85 years, participated in this study. Measurements were taken using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Sub-Health Measurement Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a self-constructed scale that included demographic information. The PROCESS plugin for SPSS was used to assess mediating effects. Results: Significant correlations were found among SHS, social support, mindfulness, and perceived stress (|r| = 0.38-0.85, p < 0.01). Specifically, mindfulness showed a significant positive correlation with SHS and social support (r = 0.38-0.77), while perceived stress was significantly negatively correlated with mindfulness, social support, and SHS (|r| = 0.45-0.85). Perceived social support was positively associated with SHS (r = 0.65). Furthermore, social support and perceived stress partially mediated the influence of mindfulness on SHS. Additionally, a sequential mediation effect of perceived social support and stress in the relationship between mindfulness and SHS was supported. Conclusion: The cultivation of trait mindfulness may be advantageous for individuals' sub-health. Perceived social support and perceived stress are important underlying mechanisms contributing to this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planfulness refers to an individual's tendency to be future oriented, mentally flexible, and cognitively strategic when engaging with goals, and has been shown to predict goal completion. We investigated the relationships among planfulness, goal disruption, stress, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, which served as a unique setback context. We measured these constructs using the planfulness scale, an ad-hoc survey item probing goal disruption in the pandemic, the perceived stress scale, and the WarwickEdinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, respectively. Participants were university students (N = 174; mean age 23.03, SD: 4.37; 77% female). Higher planfulness predicted lower goal-disruption, lower stress, and higher well-being during the pandemic, extending its benefits beyond the goal domain. High levels of planfulness did not protect against goal disruption among those participants in which the self-reported personal impact of the pandemic was highest. Differences in goal disruption across levels of planfulness were constrained to lower reported pandemic impact. However, the differences in psychological well-being and stress by levels of planfulness were retained even when selfreported perceptions of personal pandemic impact were high. More planful students maintained lower stress and higher psychological well-being than their less planful peers across levels of adversity. These findings suggest that even in extremely difficult contexts in which planfulness does not protect against goal disruption, it still confers personal benefits in terms of psychological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitual consumption of highly palatable foods when not in metabolic need (HPF eating) is linked to obesity. High HPF consumption is also linked to mental health disorder (MHD) symptoms. Mindfulness-based interventions are popular treatments for obesity and MHDs, but little is known about the relationship between trait mindfulness and motive-based HPF eating. Therefore, a total of 927 young adults completed a survey that included the Palatable Eating Motives Scale-7 (which identifies Coping-, Reward enhancement-, Social-, and Conformity-eating), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and demographic and body mass index (BMI) questions. An MHD questionnaire allowed a comparison of HPF eating between participants with and without various MHDs. Regressions revealed that Coping-eating was independently associated with lower mindfulness and also greater perceived stress, higher BMI, and female sex. Of these variables, only lower mindfulness was independently associated with Reward-, Social-, and Conformity-eating. Coping- and Reward-eating were more frequent in participants with versus without an anxiety disorder, depression, ADD/ADHD, and PTSD. Coping-eating was also more frequent in participants with body dysmorphic disorder. These findings warrant investigations in participants with clinically validated diagnoses for DSM-specific MHDs. Results from such investigations and the uncovered nature of associations between motive-specific HPF eating and trait mindfulness could provide novel targets to improve mindfulness-based interventions for obesity and MHDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale is a widely used questionnaire for measuring perceived stress. Aim: This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale in a sample of Italian teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed. A sample of 1,179 teachers of pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools anonymously completed an online questionnaire. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis was performed to compare the fit of a two-factor model against a one-factor solution of the scale. Multigroup CFA was run to test the measurement invariance of the two-factor PSS-10 solution across gender. The internal reliability of the scale was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald' omega coefficients. Convergent validity with measures of subjective well-being and self-reported health was evaluated. Results: The results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the two-factor structure of the 10-items Perceived Stress Scale provided a better fit to the data and supported the adequacy of the Italian version of the scale. The two-factor model showed measurement invariance across female and male groups, as result of the multigroup CFA. The scale proved to have good internal reliability. Correlation analyses with measures of the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule and self-reported health supported convergent validity. Conclusion: These results suggest that the Italian version of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale has good psychometric properties and can be considered a valid and reliable instrument to assess perceived stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe 10-item Perceived Stress Scale is a widely used questionnaire for measuring perceived stress.AimThis study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale in a sample of Italian teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed. A sample of 1,179 teachers of pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools anonymously completed an online questionnaire. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis was performed to compare the fit of a two-factor model against a one-factor solution of the scale. Multigroup CFA was run to test the measurement invariance of the two-factor PSS-10 solution across gender. The internal reliability of the scale was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’ omega coefficients. Convergent validity with measures of subjective well-being and self-reported health was evaluated.ResultsThe results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the two-factor structure of the 10-items Perceived Stress Scale provided a better fit to the data and supported the adequacy of the Italian version of the scale. The two-factor model showed measurement invariance across female and male groups, as result of the multigroup CFA. The scale proved to have good internal reliability. Correlation analyses with measures of the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule and self-reported health supported convergent validity.ConclusionThese results suggest that the Italian version of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale has good psychometric properties and can be considered a valid and reliable instrument to assess perceived stress.

Introduction: While Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia have rapidly become a global health crisis with growing incidence that is unabated, the incidence of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) far exceeds that of Alzheimer’s disease. Persons with MCI demonstrate some level of cognitive impairment, but daily functions remain intact and there is no certainty that they will develop dementia. Yet, the possibility conjures a considerable amount of fear and anxiety, further fueled by a vast array of misconceptions and stigma. The pervasive nature of this stigma permeates society and culture at many levels. Persons with MCI who are at higher risk for development of dementia may be especially vulnerable to fear and stigma associated with the diagnosis. Based on this premise, the primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived stigma and perceived stress in persons with MCI and their care partners, including the relationship between income and the study variables. The secondary aim was to examine the effect of a combined cognitive rehabilitation and wellness program on these perceptions. Methods: Thirty participants were recruited from Mayo Clinic’s Health Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking (HABIT) program. MCI (n  =  15) and care partner (n  =  15) participants completed the Stigma Impact Scale (SIS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) before and after the HABIT program. Results: Average SIS and PSS scores decreased in the MCI, care partner, and combined groups, both pre- and post-HABIT. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between perceived stigma and stress, controlling for income. A significant relationship was found between perceived stigma and perceived stress both pre and post-HABIT. Discussion: The results suggest a relationship exists between perceived stigma and perceived stress in persons with MCI and their care partners, and an educational program such as HABIT may strengthen this relationship by informing participants of potential challenges that occur in cognitive decline. Understanding these relationships may provide an opportunity to provide tools for this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Music is well-known for its stress-reducing effects. Little is known about the potential effect of music interventions in fostering internal coping resources for stress management among undergraduate students in Hong Kong. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to examine the efficacy of the Group-based Focus Music Imagery Program (GFMI) in promoting a stress-is-enhancing mindset, sense of coherence, and self-compassion among undergraduate students. Methods: We used a two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT). The experimental arm received 6 weeks of GFMI with measures taken at two time points after completing baseline assessments (Weeks 6, 10). The control arm received 6 weeks of an active control program and completed the outcome measures at time points similar to the GFMI group. Data were collected using the Chinese versions of the Sense of Coherence Scale (C-SOC-13), the Self- Compassion Scale-Short Form (C-SCS-SF), the Stress Mindset Measure (C-SMM), the Perceived Stress Scale (C-PSS-10), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (C-GAD-7). Results: Sixty-four participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 32) or the control group (n = 32) between July 2021 and September 2022. The experimental group exhibited a retention rate of 71.9% at T1 (23 out of 32 participants), which slightly decreased to 65.6% (21 out of 32) at T2. The control group displayed a retention rate of 75% (24 out of 32) at T1, which dropped to 43.8% (14 out of 32) at T2. The GEE analyses showed insignificant differences between groups at any time point in C-SOC-13, C-SCS-SF, and C-SMM. Instead, the control group had a higher reduction in stress scores (C-PSS-10) at T1, and anxiety (C-GAD-7) at T2 than the experimental group. Conclusion: The pilot trial provided valuable information in examining the feasibility of the trial design and intervention. Future studies with larger samples are needed to validate if GFMI can reliably promote coping resources to manage stress and anxiety in undergraduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Studies have suggested that listening to music can reduce psychological and biological responses to a stressor. However, it is unclear whether music has the same effect on stress recovery. According to field studies, people commonly use music in daily life for the specific purpose of relaxation. We explored whether individuals who generally use music for relaxation purposes show improved recovery from an acute stressor. Methods: In two independent studies, twenty-seven healthy female participants (Mage  =  24.07) (Study 1) and twenty-one healthy male participants (Mage  =  23.52) (Study 2) were separated into two groups based on their frequency of using music for relaxation purposes (low vs. high). All participants underwent a lab-based psychosocial stress test. Subjective stress levels were measured using visual analogue scales. Salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase were measured to assess endocrine and autonomic stress responses, respectively. Subjective stress levels and saliva samples were measured nine times throughout the stress induction and recovery procedure. Chronic stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale and the Screening Scale of Chronic Stress. Results: No significant differences were observed in subjective stress levels, salivary alpha-amylase activity, or cortisol concentration between the two groups in either of the two studies. Further analyses revealed that among male participants, increased use of music for relaxation purposes was related to more chronic stress levels (t (10.46)  =  2.45, p  =  0.03, r  =  0.60), whereas female participants exhibited a trend in the opposite direction (t (13.94)  = −1.92, p  =  0.07, r  =  0.46). Discussion: Contrary to our expectations, the results indicate that habitual music listening for relaxation purposes is not associated with improved recovery from a stressor. However, due to the small sample size, future exploration is necessary to enhance the statistical power of the results of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although the number of identified coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and deaths has decreased, the repetitive crest-trough pattern of the spread of COVID-19 has yet to cease. The current situation may affect the mental health status of university students who are distracted in their academic and daily lives by the pandemic. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the determinant factors of the mental health status of Japanese university students before and in the middle of the 7th wave of the pandemic, one of the largest waves to be experienced in Japan. Method: A survey was administered to two groups of students during the recession period between the 6th and 7th waves (n = 156) and during the 7th wave of the pandemic (n = 97). Results: T-tests showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores, while the COVID-19 anxiety scores (p < 0.001) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) scores were significantly higher in the Pandemic period group (p = 0.011). The multiple regression model indicated that PSS scores were the only determinant of GHQ scores in the Pandemic period group. Discussion: The results indicate that stressful life events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and daily hassles, which are measured by the PSS, affect students' mental health differently. Therefore, the author submits that school counselors should provide counseling to students to reduce anxiety caused by daily hassles, during recession and pandemic periods. Students also require assistance with the reduction of stress and anxiety caused by daily hassles, regardless of the pandemic situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Virtual reality (VR) based meditation has been shown to help increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and depression in younger adults. However, this has not been studied in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) in the older adult population. The aim of this RCT is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VR-guided meditation intervention for community-dwelling older adults and its effect on stress and mental health. Methods: We will recruit 30 participants aged ≥ 60 years, whose perceived stress score (PSS) is >14 (moderate stress), and randomize them 1:1 to the intervention or control waitlist group. The intervention will involve exposure to eight 15-min VR- guided meditation sessions distributed twice weekly for 4-weeks. Two modalities will be offered: in-home and at the hospital. Data analysis: Baseline and post-intervention assessments will evaluate perceived stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and mindfulness skills. Analyses will employ mixed methods repeated ANOVA tests. Qualitative analyses through semi-structured interviews and participant observation will be used to assess participants’ experiences. Study outcomes include: (A) feasibility and acceptability compared to a waitlist control (B) stress, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); (C) anxiety, and depression, using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); (D) insomnia, quality of life and mindfulness skills, using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Forms (FFMQ-SF), respectively. We will also measure immersive tendencies, sickness and sense of presence using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Presence Questionnaire (PQ). Discussion: Virtual reality-guided meditation could be an acceptable, feasible, safe, and cost-effective novel alternative health intervention for improving older adults’ mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The public health crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of both individuals and entire populations. The source of stress was not only the fear of getting sick, but also the restrictions introduced, such as: mass lockdown, the need to maintain social distance, quarantine or the mandatory use of personal protective equipment. Their introduction and maintenance caused various emotional reactions which often resulted in undesirable behavior leading to infections spreading. The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to analyze the level of emotional control depending on selected factors related to the pandemic and the introduced restrictions. Materials and methods: The study covered 594 adult Poles. To evaluate knowledge about COVID-19 and attitudes toward the implemented restrictions, the questionnaire prepared by the authors was used. To determine the level of control of anger, depression and anxiety the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS) was used, and to estimate the level of perceived stress the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was applied. Results: In the entire analyzed group, the general level of emotional control was 51.82 ± 12.26, with anxiety being the most suppressed emotion (17.95 ± 4.99), whereas the least suppressed emotion was anger (16.35 ± 5.15). The average stress level in the studied group was 20.5 ± 5.3. The level of perceived stress did not differentiate the level of emotional control. It was found that the higher level of the knowledge about the pandemic and methods of prevention, the higher emotional control, especially in the anxiety subscale (high level of knowledge – 18.26 ± 5.36 vs. low level of knowledge - 15.09 ± 3.6; p = 0.02). People reporting difficulties in reconciling remote work with home duties were less able to control anger (14.63 ± 4.98) than people without such problems (16.71 ± 4.12; p = 0.007). Conclusion: Proper education improving knowledge about COVID-19 and methods of prevention may enhance the control of emotions in the population. Possible future preventive measures aimed at limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections or other infectious diseases should also take into account possible excessive mental burden caused by private and professional duties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The empirical study about the negative impact of economic difficulties due to Covid- 19 on the psychological well-being of Italian women by considering perceived stress and marital satisfaction is an area worthy of investigation. The study explored these variables by hypothesizing that marital satisfaction (DAS) could moderate or mediate the links between economic difficulties, perceived stress (PSS), and psychological maladjustment (PGWBI). Methods: A total of 320 Italian women completed an online survey about the study’s variables during the lockdown period. Women’s perceptions of economic difficulties due to COVID- 19 restrictions were detected through an ad-hoc specific question. Perceived stress, marital satisfaction and psychological maladjustment were assessed by standardized questionnaires (Perceived Stress Scale 10, Dyadic Satisfaction Scale and Psychological General Well-being Inventory). Results: 39.7% of women who answered the online survey said that the Covid-19 significantly impacted their family income. Results indicated that marital satisfaction did not moderate the associations investigated. Conversely, data showed how economic difficulties (X) predicted lower psychological maladjustment through the mediation of perceived Stress (M1), which, in turn, was associated with higher levels of marital dissatisfaction (M2). Conclusion: The results of the present study confirm the significant role of marital dissatisfaction in explaining the indirect effects of economic difficulties on psychological maladjustment in women. In particular, they indicated a significant spillover effect which transmitted strains experienced in one domain (economic difficulties) to another (the dissatisfaction of the couple), which in turn affected the psychological maladjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the availability of validated psychometrics tools to assess depression, there has not been any validated and reliable tool established to test perceived stress among Sri Lankans. The objective of this study is to test the validity and reliability of the Sinhalese Version of the Sheldon Cohen Perceived Stress Scale. Materials and methods: Standard and systematic procedures were adopted to translate the original English version of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 questionnaire into Sinhalese. Consecutive sampling was employed to recruit the Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) sample (n=321), and a convenient sampling was used to recruit the Age and Sex matched Healthy Controls (ASMHC) (n=101) and the Healthy Community Controls (HCC) groups (n=75). Cronbach alpha was used to assess internal consistency and reliability was determined using test-retest method utilizing Spearman's correlation coefficient. Sensitivity was evaluated by comparing the mean scores of the Sinhalese Perceived Stress Scale (S-PSS-10) and Sinhalese Patient Health Questionnaire (S-PHQ-9) scores. Post-hoc comparisons were done using Bonferroni's method. Mean scores were compared between the T2DM, ASMHC, and HCC groups using the independent t-test. Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted using the principal component and Varimax rotation while the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed to assess the goodness-of-fit of the factor structure extracted from the EFA. Concurrent validity was assessed using the Pearson correlation between the S-PSS-10 and Patient Health Questionnaire measured by S-PHQ-9 (p<0.05). Results: Cronbach alpha values of the three groups T2DM, ASMHC and HCC were 0.85, 0.81, and 0.79, respectively. Results of the ANOVA test suggested that there was a significant difference in the mean scores between groups (p<0.00). EFA analysis revealed the existence of two factors with eigenvalues greater than 1.0. The factor loadings for the items ranged from 0.71-0.83. The CFA analysis demonstrated a good model fit for the two-factor model S-PSS-10. The S-PSS-10 significantly correlated with S-PHQ-9, indicating an acceptable concurrent validity. Conclusion: Findings revealed that the S-PSS-10 questionnaire can be used to screen perceived stress among the majority of the Sri Lankan Sinhalese-speaking population specially with chronic illnesses. Further studies with higher sample sizes across different populations would enhance the validity and reliability of S-PSS-10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This contribution aimed at investigating the moderating role of risk (e.g., the negative influence of COVID-19 on mental health) and protective (e.g., post-traumatic growth) factors on the relationship between the concern for war and stress and anxiety/depression levels among Italian people. Methods: A questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and questions formulated ad hoc about concern for war was administered online. A sample of 755 participants (65.4% females, mean age = 32.39, SD = 12.64, range = 18–75) was recruited by convenience and snowball sampling. The researchers spread the link to the questionnaire to their acquaintances asking them to fill it out and to recruit other people. Results: Results showed that concern for war significantly augmented the levels of stress and anxiety/depression in Italian people. Being a healthcare professional or having a chronic illness negatively moderated the effect of concern for war on stress and anxiety/depression. Instead, the negative influence of COVID-19 on mental health positively moderated the effect of concern for war on stress. Moreover, the overall positive changes after trauma and four of its five scales (i.e., Relating to Others, New Possibilities, Personal Strength, and Spiritual Change), negatively moderated the effect of concern for war on anxiety/depression. Conclusions: In conclusion, concern about the Russian-Ukrainian war affects the mental health of the Italian population even if they are not directly involved in the conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress is a public health disease that is increasing rapidly in the population worldwide, so it is necessary to take measures for detection and evaluation, through short scales. The purpose of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) in a sample made up of 752 people with an age range of 18 to 62 years (M = 30.18, DE = 10.175), of whom 44% (331) were women and 56% (421) men, from Lima, Peru. The results, by means of confirmatory factor analysis and the Rasch model, confirmed the global adjustment of a 12-item (PSS-12) version with the presence of two orthogonal factors independent of each other, and also demonstrated the metric equivalence according to gender and adequate internal consistency. These results allow us to recommend the use of the PSS-12 in the Peruvian population for the measurement of stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In addition to the health crisis that erupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the war between Russia and Ukraine is impacting the mental health and wellbeing of the Romanian population in a negative way. Objectives: This study sets out to investigate the impact that social media consumption and an overload of information related to the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine is having on the distribution of fake news among Romanians. In addition, it explores the way in which several psychological features, including resilience, general health, perceived stress, coping strategies, and fear of war, change as a function of exposure to traumatic events or interaction with victims of war. Methods: Participants (N = 633) completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the CERQ scale with its nine subscales, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the BRS scale (Brief Resilience Scale), the last of which measures resilience. Information overload, information strain and the likelihood of the person concerned spreading fake news were assessed by adapting items related to these variables. Findings: Our results suggest that information strain partially moderates the relationship between information overload and the tendency to spread false information. Also, they indicate that information strain partially moderates the relationship between time spent online and the tendency to spread false information. Furthermore, our findings imply that there are differences of high and moderate significance between those who worked with refugees and those who did not as regards fear of war and coping strategies. We found no practical differences between the two groups as regards general health, level of resilience and perceived stress. Conclusion and recommendations: The importance of discovering the reasons why people share false information is discussed, as is the need to adopt strategies to combat this behavior, including infographics and games designed to teach people how to detect fake news. At the same time, aid workers need to be further supported to maintain a high level of psychological wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Editorial: Rising stars in: quantitative psychology and measurement 2021" highlights the innovative work of early-career researchers in the field of Quantitative Psychology and Measurement. The research topics covered in this article include interdisciplinary efforts in psychotherapy processes, the application of complex network formalism, innovative uses of multidimensional statistics, and data mining of unstructured data. The editors of this topic have curated a series of articles that exemplify the progress made in this field and offer insights into future research directions. The article also discusses specific studies that focus on topics such as problematic mobile phone use, anchor-item settings in longitudinal learning diagnostic assessments, spiritual well-being in Brazilian adolescents with chronic health conditions, mental flexibility and affect dynamics, psychological impact of infertility, well-being assessment in the Chinese university environment, validation of the Perceived Stress Scale in the Peruvian context, and the impact of performance appraisal on job meaningfulness in salespersons. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Recently, the network theory of mental disorders has been used to conceptualize work addiction as a dynamic system of symptoms in direct relationships. This study aimed to extend previous work by investigating the direct relationships of work addiction symptoms with dimensions of work engagement, job burnout, and perceived stress. Methods: These phenomena were measured with the Bergen Work Addiction Scale, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory– General Survey, and the Perceived Stress Scale. The sample comprised 676 working Poles with a mean age of 36.12 years (SD = 11.23). The network analysis followed the guidelines for estimating psychological networks from cross-sectional data. Results: Work engagement and job burnout were more closely associated with each other than with work addiction which supports the notion that engagement and burnout represent polar opposites of the same construct and that work addiction is a separate phenomenon, related to both work engagement and job burnout via specific pathways. The symptoms of work addiction were connected with other phenomena through four direct relationships: (1) mood modification— absorption, (2) mood modification—stress, (3) withdrawal—absorption, and (4) problems—exhaustion. Discussion: These findings narrow down and specify hypotheses regarding potential mechanisms leading from engagement to addiction and from addiction to burnout. The possible mechanisms focus on the absorption component and mood modification related to efforts focused on alleviating chronic stress and negative emotional states. In turn, problems arising from work addiction may lead to exhaustion. Future studies investigating these mechanisms in detail may enable proper prevention programs and therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the effect of nursing interventions based on the Kano model on symptom relief and parental psychological behavior in children with febrile seizures (FS). Methods: A total of 104 children with FS and their corresponding families admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to April 2022 as the research object. All children were divided into 2 groups according to their nursing regimen during treatment. Children who received general nursing interventions were enrolled in the general group (n = 52) and children who received nursing interventions based on the Kano model were enrolled in the Kano group (n = 52). In this study, an investigation was first conducted to analyze the attributes of the caring care service needs of the families of children with FS. Then, we compared 4 aspects of symptom relief during the hospital stay of the 2 groups of children, including FS seizure frequency, time to cessation of convulsions, time to recovery of consciousness and time to fever reduction. The parent symptom questionnaire (PSQ) was used to assess the psychological behavior of the two groups of children during the hospital stay. The Chinese perceived stress scale (CPSS) and the symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) were used to assess the psychological behavior of the two groups of their families during the children's hospitalization. Finally, a questionnaire was administered on the satisfaction of this nursing intervention. Results: In terms of symptom relief, the children in the Kano group had less frequent of FS seizure than the general group, and the time to cessation of convulsions, time to recovery of consciousness and time to fever reduction were all earlier than in the genera group (p < 0.05). In terms of children's psychological behavior, the impulsivity-hyperactivity, anxiety, hyperactivity index and learning problems scores in the PSQ of the children in the Kano group were lower than those in the general group after the intervention (p < 0.05). In terms of family psychological behavior, the psychological behavioral problems of the families of the children in both groups improved after the intervention, and the CPSS scores of tension and dis-control, as well as the total SCL-90 score of the families of the children in the Kano group were lower than those of the general group (p < 0.05). In terms of family satisfaction, the Kano group was significantly better than the general group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The implementation of the nursing interventions based on the Kano model for children with FS was successful in dramatically reducing the clinical signs and symptoms of the children and meeting the psychological and behavioral needs of the children and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to find the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD; differences according to demographic variables; and predictors of mental health problems during the second wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Turkey. Differences in exposure to COVID-19 during the first and second waves of the pandemic among students were compared. A total of 754 students from seven universities in different parts of Turkey participated in the survey between November and December 2020. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) scale measuring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used to measure the mental well-being of students. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, correlations, and multinomial logistic regression methods were used to analyze the data. The prevalence of high stress, high generalized anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 10), high depression symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10), and high PTSD in the total sample were 84.2, 36.2, 55.0, and 61.2%, respectively. High perceived stress, moderate generalized anxiety disorder, mild depression symptoms, high severity PTSD, and moderate satisfaction were found among students in Turkey. Religiosity and spirituality have significant negative correlations with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Religiosity level, gender, relationship status, year of study, physical activity, symptoms of coronavirus, death of a close relative, job loss, and economic status are significant parameters for predicting psychological problems of students in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Explore the influence of fear of COVID-19 on depression, with anxiety as a mediator and perceived social support and stress perception as moderates. Methods: From February to March 2020, 1,196 valid data were collected online through questionnaire by cluster sampling method. Fear of COVID-19 Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item Scale (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and the10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were used as the survey instrument, and the participants were female undergraduates from a liberal arts college of a Chinese university. Common method bias was assessed using Harman’s single-factor test in SPSS and confirmatory factor analysis in AMOS. The levels of participants’ anxiety, depression and perceived social support were described using frequency and percentage, Pearson Correlation test was used to measure the correlation between the variables. The PROCESS macro for SPSS (Model 1, Model 4, and Model 21) were applied to examine the mediating effect and moderating effect of the model. Results: Fear of COVID-19 can positively influence depression, anxiety plays a mediating role between fear of COVID-19 and depression, perceived social support negatively moderates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and anxiety, and stress perception positively moderates the relationship between anxiety and depression. These five variables can form a moderated mediating effect model. Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19, anxiety and stress perception are risk factors for depression, perceived social support is a protective factor for depression. Reducing the fear of COVID-19, anxiety and stress perception and enhancing perceived social support are beneficial to reduce the level of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitive sports involve physiological, technical and psychological skills, which influence directly on individuals' performance. This study aims to investigate the levels of perceived stress and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) before and after matches with victory and defeat in professional eSports athletes. Our hypothesis was that the winners would have better autonomic and stress responses after match, thus corroborating the literature on neurocardiac connections. Fifty male eSport players were selected players from 10 different Brazilian teams. The experiment was carried out in 2 sessions. Firstly, after signing the informed consent form, 24 h before the game, anthropometric, physical activity levels and time of expertise data were recorded only for sample characterization and the players were familiarized with the perceived stress scale--10 (PSS-10) and the HRV measurements. Secondly, players performed the PSS-10 and HRV recording at rest by 10 min 60 and 30 min before the game (i.e., baseline time) and 10 min after the end of the game. Overall, concerning PSS-10 our findings show that VG had significant reduced scores in post-game time compared to baseline (BL) and pre-game times, while DG had significant increased scores in post-game time compared to BL and pre-game times. Regarding HRV, our results demonstrate that VG had significant increase in RR, SDNN, rMSSD, pNN50 and HF, and significant decrease in LF and LF/HF, while DG had a significant decrease in RR, SDNN, rMSSD and HF, and significant increase in LF and LF/HF. It was observed that VG had better HRV responses (greater parasympathetic activation) as well as lower levels of perceived stress, while DG had worst HRV responses (greater sympathetic activation) and higher levels of perceived stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurs’ wellbeing is of unprecedented importance given their crucial role in national economies in terms of job creation and innovation. In this research, we used a mixed methods approach to investigate the direct and indirect mechanisms by which entrepreneurs’ wellbeing mediates the effects of stress on perceived entrepreneurial success. We theorize that entrepreneurs experience work-related stress and that the level of perceived wellbeing mediates the relationship between the entrepreneurs’ stress and perceived success. We also hypothesize moderation effects by dispositional positive affect. We find that stress has direct negative effects on entrepreneurs’ wellbeing and perceived success. However, an experience of positive affect significantly weakens the negative effects of stress by broadening and building entrepreneurs’ cognitions. Drawing from our theoretical and empirical findings, we discuss implications for theory and practice in the domain of entrepreneurs’ wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness Acceptance Commitment (MAC) programs have garnered much support in enhancing sport performance through present-moment focus and non-judgmental thoughts. Expanding on previous studies conducted in collegiate and professional settings, the current study investigates the application of MAC amongst national subelite athletes. The study was conducted utilizing a single case A-B design, with a total of six sub-elite Malaysian Squash athletes (2 males, 3 females; Mage = 15 ± 2 years) purposively sampled from the Malaysian national squash team. Participants underwent 6 weeks of baseline testing, 7 weeks of program intervention, and a retention test 4 weeks post-intervention. The intervention consisted of psycho-education, centering and cognitive defusion among other aspects as purported in MAC programs. Changes in proficiency of mindful practice was observed through the Mindfulness Awareness Acceptance Scale (MAAS), experiential avoidance through the Acceptance Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), stress levels through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and sport performance through both coach- and self-rated scales. Overall, visual analysis revealed improvements in MAAS levels (M = 1.15 ± 0.15), with no marked changes in AAQ-II (M = -0.002 ± 1.12) and PSS (M = 0.7 ± 0.93) after 7 weeks of intervention. Coach-rated sport performance also improved across the phases (M = 0.86 ± 0.93), with mixed responses for self-rated improvements (M = 0.01 ± 1.19). Overall, the benefits of MAC program were well-maintained past the post-intervention phase. The current study supported the implementation of an MAC program for sub-elite athletes in real-world settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes and club activities in Japanese universities have been canceled; this may increase students' perceived stress and adversely affect their quality of life. This study investigated the factors that influence Japanese university students' quality of life during the pandemic. An online questionnaire collating data related to demographic characteristics, the perceived stress scale (PSS), sense of coherence (SOC), number of social supports, and quality of life (Short Form Health Survey; SF-8) was distributed to university students. Participants were divided into two groups: those who entered university before (seniors) and after (juniors) the onset of the pandemic. Their scores on the two sub-domains (physical and mental) of the SF-8 were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the composite mental summary of the SF-8. Regression analysis indicated that the predictor model of the composite mental summary differed between juniors and seniors. Among seniors, the composite mental summary was significantly indicated by the composite physical summary (β = 0.549, p < 0.0001) and PSS (β = 0.422, p < 0.0001). Among juniors, it was significantly indicated by the composite physical summary (β = 0.531, p < 0.0001), PSS (β = 0.390, p < 0.0001), and number of social supports (b = -0.148, p = 0.006). The factors associated with quality of life differed between seniors and juniors. Universities must provide opportunities for students to find more friends, especially for juniors who have limited socialization opportunities owing to the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work-related stress is one of the top sources of stress amongst working adults. Relaxation rooms are one organizational strategy being used to reduce workplace stress. Amongst healthcare workers, relaxation rooms have been shown to improve perceived stress levels after 15 min of use. However, few studies have examined physiological and cognitive changes after stress, which may inform why relaxation rooms reduce perceived stress. Understanding the biological mechanisms governing why perceived stress improves when using a relaxation room could lead to more effective strategies to address workplace stress. Objective: The purpose of this research study is to understand how physiological measures, cognitive performance, and perceived stress change after acute stress and whether certain sensory features of a relaxation room are more effective at promoting recovery from stress. Methods: 80 healthy adults will perform a stress induction task (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) to evaluate how physiological and cognitive responses after stress are affected by sensory features of a relaxation room. After the stress induction task, participants will recover for 40 min in a MindBreaks™ relaxation room containing auditory and visual stimuli designed to promote relaxation. Participants will be randomized into four cohorts to experience auditory and visual stimuli; auditory stimuli; visual stimuli; or no stimuli in the room. Measures of heart rate and neural activity will be continuously monitored using wearable devices. Participants will perform working memory assessments and rate their perceived stress levels throughout the experiment. These measures will be compared before and after the stress induction task to determine how different sensory stimuli affect the rate at which individuals recover. Results: Recruitment started in December 2021 and will continue until December 2022 or until enrollment is completed. Final data collection and subsequent analysis are anticipated by December 2022. We expect all trial results will be available by early 2023. Discussion: Findings will provide data and information about which sensory features of a relaxation room are most effective at promoting recovery after acute stress. This information will be useful in determining how these features might be effective at creating individualized and organizational strategies for mitigating the effects of workplace stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in randomised-controlled trials and large experimental studies has been demonstrated in university student populations. Whilst these investigations have provided insight into the nature of the delivery of mindfulness-based practices, there has been little research in the implementation of self-managed online student wellbeing and mindfulness programs at university. This ecological validation study conducted in 2020 evaluated a real-world implementation of a large, university-wide, online mindfulness-based program that was accessible fully online via the tertiary institutions' Learning Management System (LMS) student orientation site. The total sample included 833 participants from a range of disciplines and faculties at Monash University, Australia. At the end of the study, 236 (28.3%) participants were retained and completed the follow-up survey. Participants had the option to engage with the fully self-managed online mindfulness program for a 12-week semester. The mindfulness practices were pre-recorded, audio-guided sessions, and 10–15 min in length. Baseline and end of semester questionnaires included the 14-item Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, 10-item Perceived Stress Scale and the 18-item Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Participants who engaged with the mindfulness program over 3 or more weeks showed significant improvements in all three outcome measures, and all participants showed significant improvements in wellbeing at the end of semester. Learning analytics obtained via the LMS revealed that 58.6% (n = 489) had not logged into the mindfulness program at all, almost a third (31.0%, n = 259) logged into the program materials once or twice, and 10.2% (n = 85) of the whole sample engaged with the program actively, having logged in three or more times. The total number of student logins peaked in week 2, reduced between week 2 and week 7 and thereafter activity remained stable until the end of the semester. We hypothesise that the changes in wellbeing, stress and mindfulness at the end of the semester seen in the low engagement participants may partly be explained by the circumstances of COVID-19 restrictions improving. This study has revealed and discusses the complexities of student behaviour and implications for implementing an online mindfulness program in the real- world setting of a university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic has been a major disruptor of routine life, resulting in increased stress and predisposing people to negative outcomes, such as insomnia, anxiety and hopelessness. Mind-body interventions have improved concentration, emotional balance, and positive emotions, with an enhanced sense of productivity, and self-confidence. We therefore hypothesized that exposure to an online mind-body intervention, "Inner Engineering Completion Online (IECO)," would reduce stress and promote well-being. Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled participants registered for the IECO courses, which for the first time were delivered remotely, online. Participants learned a 21-min meditation practice called Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya during the course, which incorporates controlled breathing and mediation techniques. Each enrolled participant was asked to complete self-reported electronic surveys at three key time points: at the time of consent, immediately after completing IECO, and 6 weeks after IECO completion. Effects of IECO practice were assessed using four well-validated neuropsychological scales: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Positive Emotion/Relationship/Engagement Scale (PERMA) Profiler, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). A Signed Rank test was used to analyze the survey data and P -values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 375 participants interested in participation, 164 participants were eligible. Sixty-eight participants completed surveys at all time points and were identified as compliant participants. The baseline median score for PSS in compliant participants (n = 95) was 13.5 (IQR 9, 18); immediate post-IECO median PSS score was 12 (IQR 8, 16) demonstrating a 1.5 unit decrease in PSS scores (p -value = 0.0023). Similarly, comparing PSS scores in compliant participants (n = 68) for immediate Post IECO [11.5 (IQR 8, 15.5)] to PSS scores at six weeks [8 (IQR 4.5, 12.5)] showed a statistically significant 3.5-unit decrease, indicating a reduction in stress upon routine practice of the intervention (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Incorporating the remotely delivered mind-body intervention Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya into daily life via the IECO program over as few as 6 weeks produced a significant stress reduction, improvement in sleep quality and mindfulness. Clinical Trial Registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04189146]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aims of the study were first to investigate the association between illness perception and psychological distress and second to determine whether mindfulness affects psychological distress via illness perception and perceived stress in patients with lung cancer. Methods: Among 300 patients with lung cancer who participated in this cross-sectional study, 295 patients made valid responses to distress thermometer (DT), the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) between January and July 2021. The possible pathways of mindfulness affecting psychological distress were analyzed based on the structural equation modeling analysis. Results: A total of 24.4% patients with lung cancer had DT > 4. Illness perception (β = 0.17, p = 0.002) and perceived stress (β = 0.23, p < 0.001) had a direct effect on psychological distress. Mindfulness had a direct effect on illness perception (β = −0.16, p = 0.006) and mindfulness indirectly influenced psychological distress (β = −0.04, p = 0.009) through affecting illness perception alone or simultaneously affecting both the illness perception and perceived stress in patients with lung cancer. Conclusion: Lung cancer suffered from varying levels of psychological distress. Mindfulness may alleviate psychological distress by reducing the level of illness perception and perceived stress. We suggest developing a comprehensive factor model to clarify potential mechanisms of mindfulness on psychological distress due to the very low effect of mindfulness on psychological distress via illness perception and perceived stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a useful predictive tool for a wide variety of fields of knowledge. Despite this, the educational field is still an environment that lacks a variety of studies that use this type of predictive tools. In parallel, it is postulated that the levels of self-esteem in the university environment may be related to the strategies implemented to solve problems. For these reasons, the aim of this study was to analyze the levels of self-esteem presented by teaching staff and students at university (N = 290, 73.1% female) and to design an algorithm capable of predicting these levels on the basis of their coping strategies, resilience, and sociodemographic variables. For this purpose, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Brief Resilience Scale were administered. The results showed a relevant role of resilience and stress perceived in predicting participants' self-esteem levels. The findings highlight the usefulness of artificial neural networks for predicting psychological variables in education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in young students is associated with biosocial factors and scholastic stress. However, few studies have evaluated emotional-affective symptoms that are related to the immune system and antioxidant parameters in young individuals without diagnoses of affective disorders. Aim: This study aims to assess the relationship between emotional-affective symptoms and glutathione concentrations and CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts in college students. Methods: College students (n = 177) completed standardized psychometric instruments, including the Perceived Stress Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Familiar Social and Friends Support Scale, and Rosenberg Scale. Blood samples were biochemically analyzed. Analyses of variance were conducted between four groups according to symptom severity. Results: A considerable prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms was observed and negatively correlated with self-esteem and socio-familiar support. Perceived stress was sexually dimorphic. Although biochemical parameters were within reference ranges, glutathione, CD4, and CD8 tended to be lower in participants with anxiety and depression symptoms, which may be of predictive value. Conclusion: The relationship between antioxidant/immune parameters and socio-affective scores is latent in undiagnosed college students who might develop affective disorders. The findings suggest that during the initial development of affective disorders, stress management strategies should be implemented to help college students cope with the academic load and monitor negative changes in their physiological state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Strengthening the sense of meaning in life and psychological well-being brings benefits for mental health. The group particularly vulnerable to mental problems are young adults, therefore the aim of our research was to explore how a gratitude intervention will affect the sense of meaning in life, psychological well-being, general health and perceived stress among them. The research also took into account the issue of expressing gratitude. Method: The study involved 80 young adults (58 women and 22 men) who were randomly assigned to the experimental group that filled out the specially prepared diaries for a week (participants were asked to list three things for which they feel grateful, to whom they are grateful and if and how they expressed their gratitude) or the control group. Participants completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), the General Health Questionnaire – 28 (GHQ-28), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being (PWBS) twice (before and after intervention). Results: In the experimental group significant increases were observed in three areas of psychological well-being: environmental mastery, relationships with others and purpose in life. The significant decrease was also noted in anxiety/insomnia and depression symptoms as well as in perceived stress. There were no differences in the level of meaning in life. There was a positive relationship between expressing gratitude and meaning in life and psychological well-being. Conclusion: Proposed gratitude intervention has the potential to enhance psychological well-being among young adults, however, it may not be effective in enhancing meaning in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore whether different preferences for movie genres were related to different perceived stress of college students. An online questionnaire was designed and it was filled out by 1,549 students voluntarily. The 10-item perceived stress scale (PSS-10) and multinomial logistic regression were used to access the perceived stress and the association between the movie preference genres. Over 90% of participants had mild to serious levels of stress. Differences were found between participants with different stress perception states in terms of smoking history, active exercise, and sleep duration (p < 0.05). The participants who showed a preference for suspense movies more probably had lower stress [relative risk ratio (RRR)1 = 0.34, RRR2 = 0.26, p < 0.05], while students who showed preferences for crime film and disaster film more probably had higher stress (RRR = 2.03, p < 0.05, RRR = 3.15, p < 0.05). And the significant gender gap in different film genre preferences was observed in this study (p < 0.05). The males who showed preference for horror movies were more probably to have moderate stress (OR = 3.68, p < 0.05), and females who showed a preference for disaster movies were more probably to have high stress (OR = 3.27, p < 0.05). The perceived stress of Chinese university students is high after 1.5 years of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The personal preferences for certain film genres were significantly associated with perceived stress. As different film genre preferences, such as the preference for disaster, crime, and horror, are associated with high perceived stress, it may turn out to be useful to pay more attention to an individual's film viewing. The teachers need to be concerned with the media usage history and preferences of their students and may advise students with high-level stress to avoid potentially harmful media content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental ill health among higher education students is a well-established problem; therefore, it is imperative to implement preventative approaches to support wellbeing. Blended and fully online education programmes widens access for mature or returning students; however, the psychological wellbeing of this sub-group of students is under-researched. Finally, evaluating wellbeing interventions that meet the needs of university students as well as accessible for online students is required. The aim of this study was to evaluate a brief, online and mindfulness-based intervention to assist the self-management of wellbeing and stress for both online and on-campus higher education students. The total sample included 427 participants (96% psychology students) at Monash University, Australia (n =283) and King's College London (n =144), with 152 participants completing the whole study. Participants were allocated to a brief, self-guided, online and mindfulness-based intervention (over the course of one study period; n =297), or to a wait-list control group (n =148). Baseline and end of semester questionnaires included the 14-item Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, 10-item Perceived Stress Scale and the 15-item Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Regression modelling revealed the intervention condition accounted for up to 12% of the variability in change in student wellbeing, stress and mindfulness between the start and end of semester (when controlling for baseline). These findings support the implementation of a brief, online and asynchronous mindfulness-based intervention for supporting student mental health and psychological wellbeing. An on-going challenge in practice includes engaging and maintaining student engagement in wellbeing initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health concerns are climbing steadily on college campuses, and universities do not have the staffing and financial resources to address the overwhelming needs of students seeking counseling services. College counselors generally must place students on waitlists or refer them to external resources. Further, during the COVID-19 pandemic, university counselors have been working tirelessly to treat students through online formats. Alternative, online, evidence-based interventions offer college counselors a significant advantage in effectively treating their students. We seek to expand the empirical evidence for mindfulness interventions through online formats for the college population. We registered the study (ISRCTN13587045) at www.isrctn.com. Objective: We examined the effectiveness of a unique online centering meditation and its impact on stress and trait mindfulness in the college population. Methods: Through a randomized controlled trial, the treatment group participated in a 4-week intervention of centering for 10 min each morning and night. We measured stress and mindfulness in both groups through the Perceived Stress Scale and Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Results: The centering meditation treatment had a statistically significant positive impact on stress and mindfulness compared to a waitlist control group. The meditation group had an average of 64% adherence rate. Conclusion: The study findings indicate that individuals who participate in a 4-week online centering intervention showed improved levels of stress and trait mindfulness over time. Clinical Trial Registration: WHO International Clinical Registry Platform, identifier: ISRCTN13587045. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International research has demonstrated that emergency call operators face unique risks to their mental health, in particular job stress, and occupational burnout syndrome. There is already wide knowledge about the relationship between stress, burnout and employee personal resources, which has practical application in preventing mental health. However, more research into the subtle relationships between variables is needed. The aim of the study was to check the moderation effect of differences in the intensity of latent variables on the relationship between perceived stress, self-efficacy and professional burnout. The participants were 546 call-takers and dispatchers from 14 public-safety answering point in Poland aged between 19 and 65 years. The Link Burnout Questionnaire, the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and an independent questionnaire were used to gather information. The method of path analysis was used. The study confirmed the existence of negative relationships between perceived stress (assessment of the current situation) and self-efficacy (a personal trait). Taking into account the moderating effect of latent variable: psychological comfort revealed a hidden relationship between stress and burnout. The stress-burnout relationship occurred only among participants with low level of psychological comfort, so it was not a proportional relationship. In the case of participants with a high level of second latent variable: power-to-affect, the hypothesis that a high level of this variable should weaken the relationship between stress and burnout was not confirmed. The level of latent variables did not affect the self-efficacy relationship with occupational burnout. Taking into account the differences in the intensity of latent variables showed their moderating effect, which often turned out to be different from the assumed one and obtained in the research of other authors. This allowed to discover the relationships that might otherwise have been overlooked and not included in burnout prevention. The results showed a high level of occupational burnout in the ECD's group during the COVID-19 pandemic: 32% of the responders reported emotional exhaustion, 53% loss of professional effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the relationship among perceived stress, state-trait anxiety, and sleep quality of graduates to provide a reference for improving their psychological status and attitude adjustment of job-searching during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted in a descriptive cross-sectional online survey between May 2020 and August 2020. The data were collected from 1,200 participants by using the personal information form prepared by the researchers in line with the literature, the Perceived Stress Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Among the surveyed participants, 47.67% were female, and 10.92% were medical students. The mean perceived stress, state anxiety, trait anxiety, and sleep quality were moderate and found as 31.4±6.69, 46.67±5.80, 49.45±5.54, and 5.94±2.47, respectively. The detection rates of state anxiety and trait anxiety were 48.63 and 49.50%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of state anxiety and trait anxiety among different genders and majors (p >0.05). The detection rate of state anxiety and trait anxiety of rural family students was higher than that of urban family students (p <0.01). The score on the PSQI was positively associated with the scores on the perceived stress, state anxiety, and trait anxiety scales (p <0.001 for each model). Sleep quality was associated with increased perceived stress, state anxiety, and trait anxiety among graduates in China. Collectively, the study revealed the relationship between perceived stress, state-trait anxiety, and sleep quality among university graduates in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results offer novel practical implications for all circles of the society to ensure students' health under the context of the COVID-19 epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) is an organizationally-sponsored mindfulness program for employees at a large academic health center that consistently produces significant reductions in burnout and perceived stress, alongside significant increases in work engagement and resilience. This study compared outcome measures of a synchronous virtual delivery of MIM, necessitated by COVID-19, to traditional in-person delivery of MIM. Outcome measures from the virtual COVID (AU20, WI21, SP21) MIM cohorts (n = 99) were compared with the in-person Pre-COVID (SP19, AU19, WI20) MIM cohorts (n = 124). Both Pre-COVID and COVID cohorts had similar attendance rates with an average attendance of 84 and 80%, respectively. Qualitative analysis of COVID cohorts reported community support during COVID as a substantial intervention benefit, which was important at a time when isolation dominated the healthcare professional experience. Total burnout was determined by scores on the subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). There were no significant differences in depersonalization (p = 0.3876) and personal accomplishment (p = 0.1519) changes between Pre-COVID and COVID cohorts, however there was a significant difference in emotional exhaustion (p = 0.0315), with COVID cohorts improving more. In both Pre, and COVID cohorts, the percentage of people meeting burnout criteria from pre to post between groups were similar, yielding a non-significant difference (p = 0.2950). The Connor Davidson Resiliency Scale (CDRS) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) also produced no significant differences between groups (p = 0.4259, p = 0.1984, respectively). The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) though yielded significant differences in reduction between groups (p = 0.0405), again with COVID cohorts showing greater improvement. Results of the first synchronous, virtually delivered MIM cohorts reflect that participants achieved very similar results and that MIM created a community in a time when it was greatly needed due to pandemic healthcare professional stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19 were announced in Wuhan, China, the virus has spread in most countries. After one year of restrictive measures applied by governments, it is unclear how this prolonged social distancing has affected the mental health of individuals in Libya. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the levels of perceived stress, depression, sleep disturbance, and self-efficacy associated with the pandemic in Libya and their association with the demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 10 and November 10, 2020 in 21 cities in Libya using an online survey. The survey collected socio-demographic variables and other important psychological variables using valid scales: namely, the Perceived Stress scale, the PROMIS Depression scale, the PROMIS Sleep Disturbance scale, and self-efficacy 6-item scale. Additionally, data were collected regarding eating and smoking habits, housing and living situations, and the preparedness of the public to manage the upcoming waves of the pandemic. Results: The questionnaire was accessed 746 times, and a total of 683 completed questionnaires were analyzed (response rate of 91.6%), with ages ranging from 18 to 94 years (Mean ± SD = 27.09 ± 10.57). Among the respondents, 58.4% were females and 77% were from the age group 18–29 years. The perceived stress, depression, and sleep disturbance symptoms were high in overall population. For stress, 52.7 and 17.1% of respondents reported moderate and high stress, and for sleep quality 28.8 and 8.1% reported moderate and high sleep disturbance, respectively. For depression, the overall median score was 20 (out of 40). The perceived stress, depression, and sleep disturbance were more prevalent among females and the younger age groups (18–29 years old). The overall self-efficacy median total score was 6.67 (out of 10), with a significantly higher median total score for males than females (7 vs. 6.33, p = 0.001). About 14.5% of the respondents were regular cigarette smokers, and most of them (79.8%) described their smoking habits during the previous month as more than typical. In addition, the reported eating habits of almost half of the respondents (43%) had changed, with about one-third (29.6%) reporting that their eating habits had become less healthy during the pandemic. Conclusion: The findings of this research suggest increased levels of stress, depression, and sleep disturbances as well as COVID-19-related fear during the pandemic, especially among young females. This alarming finding urgently calls for safe and low-barrier interventions to help mentally burdened individuals. This study makes a significant contribution in providing essential data on the psychological and social impacts on the Libyan population due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, yoga is a multicomponent practice consisting of postures, breathing techniques, meditation, mantras, and ethics. To date, only a few studies have tried to dismantle the effects of each of these components and their combinations. To fill this gap, we examined the incremental effects of ethical education and physical Hatha yoga on mantra meditation using a single-case multiple-baseline design. This study was part of a project evaluating the new mind–body program Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification. Fifty-seven healthy participants with no regular yoga or meditation practice were randomly assigned to three baselines (7, 14, and 21 days) and four conditions using a random number generator. The conditions were mantra meditation alone (MA), meditation plus physical yoga (MY), meditation plus ethical education (ME), and meditation plus yoga and ethical education (MYE). All the interventions lasted for 8 weeks and were run consecutively according to baseline length. During the baseline and treatment phases, participants received daily questionnaires measuring their well-being (WHO-5 Well-Being Index), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), and subjective experiences. Forty-two participants completed the treatment and were entered in the analyses. We analyzed our data using visual inspection, effect size estimation (Tau- U), and multilevel modeling. Almost all participants showed a longitudinal increase in well-being. Regarding between-group differences, participants who received ethical education exhibited the largest increases in well-being (Tau- U = 0.30/0.23 for ME/MYE), followed by participants in the MY condition (Tau- U = 0.12). Conversely, participants in the MA condition showed no change (Tau- U = 0.07). There was a tendency for the combined treatments to decrease stress. This tendency was strongest in the MY condition (Tau- U = –0.40) and reversed in the MA condition (Tau- U = 0.17). These results emphasize the incremental and differential effects of practicing meditation in combination with other practices from the eight-fold yoga path. This approach is valuable for better understanding the multifaceted practice of yoga. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04252976. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many psychological researchers have proven the deteriorating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on public mental health. In Malaysia, various Covid-19 clusters were associated with religious gatherings. From a cultural psychology perspective, how ethno-religious groups respond to this crisis originating from their unique rationality and ecological systems. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the illness perceptions of major religious groups (Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist) in Malaysia toward the Covid-19 pandemic, their stress levels, and the relationship between illness perception, stress, and forms of religious expression during the lockdown period. Through an online survey method, 608 Malaysian religious believers were included in this mixed-method empirical study, which adapted standardized instruments [Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)]. Statistical analysis showed that all three groups reported moderate levels of stress in average without any significant difference after controlling for age. Both internal and external forms of religious expression had a significant negative relationship with stress levels. Personal control, comprehension, and emotions domains of illness perception accounted for a significant variance in the stress level. Furthermore, religious expression significantly moderated the relationship between some illness perception domains and stress. Qualitative coding revealed that most participants perceived human behavior and attitudes, sociopolitical, and sociological factors as causal factors to the current pandemic. These findings confirmed the relationship between religious expression, illness belief, and stress regulation during the pandemic lockdown. Incidental findings of age as a potential protective factor for Malaysian believers warrants further study. In the conclusion, implications for public health policymakers and religious communities on pandemic prevention and well-being promotion were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had negatively impact mental health worldwide. High prevalence of stress had been previously reported in populations during this context. Many theoretical frameworks had been proposed for explaining the stress process, we aim to proposed and explanatory model for the genesis of perceived stress in Peruvian general population. Method: We conducted an online survey in Peruvian general population assessing sociodemographic variables and evaluating mental health conditions by using The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and a numerical rating scale (NRS) for fear of COVID-19. Correlation analysis was conducted for the variables of interest. Two regression models were constructed to explore related factor to the dimensions of perceived stress. Finally, a structural regression model was performed with the independent variables. Results: Data of 210 individuals was analyzed. Ages ranged from 15 to 74 years and 39% were women. Additionally, 65.2% of the participants had at least one mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, or stress symptoms). Perceived self-efficacy and positive affect (PA) were correlated, as perceived helplessness with anxious symptoms and negative affect (NA). Regression analysis showed that sex, anxiety symptoms, and NA explained perceived helplessness while positive and NA explained self-efficacy. The structural regression model analysis identified that fear of COVID-19 (composed of fear of infecting others and fear of contagion), predicted mental health conditions (i.e., depressive or anxiety symptoms); also, mental health conditions were predicted by PA and NA. Perceived helplessness and Perceived self-efficacy were interrelated and represented the perceived stress variable. Conclusion: We proposed an explanatory model of perceived stress based on two correlated dimensions (self-efficacy and helplessness) in the Peruvian general population during the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with two out of three individuals surveyed having at least one mental health condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a short and reliable instrument that assesses perceived social support from the social network of an individual. A previous study in Pakistan among postpartum women has demonstrated a unidimensional factor structure in contrast to the original three-factor structure. The emergence of a one-factor structure for postpartum women in Pakistan may be due to traditional postpartum practices unique to the women of the subcontinent. Building upon the previous evidence, this study aims to explore the psychometric properties of MSPSS among pregnant women in their third trimester in rural Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2014 to February 2016, in rural Pakistan. A sample of 1,154 pregnant women (aged ≥ 18 years) in their third trimester who were registered with the local Lady Health Worker Program and were living in the north of the Punjab Province was included in this study. They were assessed using Urdu translated scales of Patient Health Questionnaire, MSPSS, Maternal Social Support Index, and Perceived Stress Scale. Principal Axis Factoring was used to assess the construct validity of the MSPSS. Results: The MSPSS scale showed an excellent internal consistency, yielding a Cronbach's α-value of 0.933. The MSPSS scale exhibited an excellent construct validity, and confirmatory factor analysis retained three factors (family, friends, and significant others) for both the depressed and non-depressed samples. Internal reliability and construct validity were also established. Conclusion: The psychometric findings suggest that the tridimensional structure of MSPSS is a valid and reliable measure of perceived social support among the Pakistani population with and without perinatal depression. The perceived social support is an important predictor of maternal mental well-being and psychopathologies, and the MSPSS can serve as a useful tool in mental health research in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]