COVID-19: A study of stress and depression among young adults

Abstract

It is quite natural and understandable to experience stress and depression during any contagious outbreak. Axiomatically, the unrelenting spread of COVID-19 has drastically impacted the public mental health and has led to an unprecedented upsurge in psychological issues such as stress, depression, and anxiety, etc. among a large proportion of people across the globe. India, notwithstanding the nationwide lockdown accompanied by rapid testing, has reported the highest spike in the COVID-19 cases in Asia. It is quite understandable that the health care system of India, in this acute phase of pandemic, has been focused on the containment of virus, screening, prevention, expeditious testing, and critical patient care but on the side of the spectrum imposition of unfamiliar public health measures such as social distancing and self-quarantining, massive pecuniary losses, conflicting information from various portals, job-loss, unemployment coupled with uncertain prognosis has undoubtedly been contributing to emotional distress, making people more vulnerable to psychological and psychiatric illness associated with COVID-19. The present paper aimed to assess the level of stress and depression, in view of COVID-19, among males and females. The study was administered to 66 young adults (32 males & 34 females) in the age range of 18-30 years. Standardized measures were administered to participants. The result revealed that there is no significant difference between males and females regarding perceived stress and depression. There is a positive relationship between perceived stress and depression. Recorded percentage of males and females suffering from high perceived stress and extreme depression calls for urgent attention of health policymakers to address such psychological issues. Mental health care needs to be involved in the broad framework of COVID-19 health care response.