ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESSORS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY USING DEPRESSION ANXIETY STRESS SCALE-21 IN SOUTH INDIAN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Authors

  • Abhilash Thomas Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty 643001 Tamil Nadu India (JSS University, Mysuru)
  • Satendra K Dubey
  • Malay K. Samanta
  • Anu Alex
  • Sanesh P. Jose

Keywords:

Psychological Stressors, Stress Response (SR), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Depression, Anxiety, Autonomic Arousal

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of the components of psychological stresses like depression, anxiety as a measure of the perception of the stress response (SR) and its influences on physiological functions in healthy human volunteers under various occupational stresses by using depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21).

Methods: A total of 128 healthy subjects from various sites of Ooty were enrolled in this study, according to the inclusion-exclusion criteria in the study protocol. DASS-21 was administered to the subjects, by ‘Questerview' method. The intensity of psychological stresses of depression, anxiety and other mental stress was measured.

Results: The incidence of depression, anxiety and their components such as hopelessness, dysphoria, anhedonia, low self-esteem, autonomic arousal, musculoskeletal symptoms, etc. were found high in both men and women participants. In men blood pressures were 136.16±6.6; 84.34±6.4 and in women 130.5±3.9; 86.48±3.4 as systolic, diastolic respectively. The body temperatures and heart rate were not altered, but the respiratory rate was found significantly elevated. The abdominal breathing was 45.21% in men and 52.77% in women indicated poor adaptation response towards the perception of stress.

Conclusion: The results are concluding high prevalence of moderate to high-level depression and anxiety indicated stress response triggers a cascade producing a series of changes in human vital physiological functions such as blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate were significantly higher. We suggest future researchers are potential for the cumulative health benefits of patients in secondary or tertiary level treatment.

Keywords: Psychological stressors, Stress response (SR), Depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21), Depression, Anxiety, Autonomic Arousal

 

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Published

01-05-2016

How to Cite

Thomas, A., S. K. Dubey, M. K. Samanta, A. Alex, and S. P. Jose. “ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESSORS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY USING DEPRESSION ANXIETY STRESS SCALE-21 IN SOUTH INDIAN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS”. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 8, no. 5, May 2016, pp. 288-95, https://journals.innovareacademics.in/index.php/ijpps/article/view/11212.

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