LEVEL OF STRESS AND REACTION TO STRESS AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS DURING PANDEMIC COVID-19

Authors

  • Manahil Shahid Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan Author
  • Esma Araf Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan Author
  • Sana Bashir Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan Author
  • Hafsa Butt Islamabad Healing Centre, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Author
  • Umm E Habiba Rasool Intensive Health Services, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71000/7g09mw76

Keywords:

Academic Stress, COVID-19, Mental Health, , Physical Therapy Students, Psychological Stress, Student Stress Inventory, University Students

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered widespread concern regarding the psychological health of university students, particularly those in health-related fields such as physical therapy. Sudden disruptions in academic routines, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future contributed to increased stress levels. In this context, assessing how physical therapy students perceived and responded to stress during the pandemic is crucial to inform appropriate academic and mental health interventions.

Objective: To assess the levels and sources of stress and the corresponding reactions among physical therapy students, and to evaluate the correlation between general stress levels and COVID-19-specific stress during the pandemic.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional correlational study was conducted over a period of 10 months and included 241 physical therapy students aged 18–30 years from multiple institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Data collection employed a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The Student Stress Inventory (SSI) and COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire (CSSQ) were used to evaluate general and pandemic-specific stress levels, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, with correlation assessed via Spearman’s Rho due to non-normal distribution.

Results: Among the 241 participants, 51 (21.2%) were males and 189 (78.4%) were females. Based on the SSI, 150 students (62.2%) exhibited moderate stress, 86 (35.7%) had mild stress, and 5 (2.1%) experienced high stress. Academic and environmental stressors both accounted for high stress levels in 153 participants (63.5%). On the CSSQ, 122 students (50.6%) reported moderate pandemic-related stress. A weak positive correlation was found between SSI and CSSQ scores (p = 0.434), though not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The study highlights a predominance of moderate stress among physical therapy students during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for institutional mental health support and tailored interventions to mitigate academic and environmental stressors.

Author Biographies

  • Manahil Shahid, Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Lecturer, Foundation University College of Physical Therapy (FUCP), Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan

  • Esma Araf, Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan

     Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Student, Foundation University College of Physical Therapy (FUCP), Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan

  • Sana Bashir, Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan

     Assistant Professor, Foundation University College of Physical Therapy (FUCP), Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan

  • Hafsa Butt, Islamabad Healing Centre, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

     Physiotherapist, Islamabad Healing Centre, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

  • Umm E Habiba Rasool, Intensive Health Services, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Physiotherapist, Intensive Health Services, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

References

Mosteiro-Diaz MP, Baldonedo-Mosteiro C, Campos Pavan Baptista P, Gamez-Fernandez A, Franco-Correia S. Anxiety and depression among nursing students during the COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional correlational study. J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(15-16):5065-75.

Muaddi MA, El-Setouhy M, Alharbi AA, Makeen AM, Adawi EA, Gohal G, et al. Assessment of Medical Students Burnout during COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(4).

Liu Z, Liu R, Zhang Y, Zhang R, Liang L, Wang Y, et al. Association between perceived stress and depression among medical students during the outbreak of COVID-19: The mediating role of insomnia. J Affect Disord. 2021;292:89-94.

Moayed MS, Vahedian-Azimi A, Mirmomeni G, Rahimi-Bashar F, Goharimoghadam K, Pourhoseingholi MA, et al. Coronavirus (COVID-19)-Associated Psychological Distress Among Medical Students in Iran. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021;1321:245-51.

Curcio F, González CIA, Zicchi M, Sole G, Finco G, Ez Zinabi O, et al. COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(14).

Harries AJ, Lee C, Jones L, Rodriguez RM, Davis JA, Boysen-Osborn M, et al. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students: a multicenter quantitative study. BMC Med Educ. 2021;21(1):14.

Wercelens VO, Bueno ML, Bueno JL, Abrahim RP, Ydy JGM, Zanetti HR, et al. Empathy and psychological concerns among medical students in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2023;58(5):510-21.

Joshi VR, Younger JM, Das S, Goud BKM, Pramanik K. Factors influencing burnout in millennial medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic! Ir J Med Sci. 2023;192(2):513-9.

Seetan K, Al-Zubi M, Rubbai Y, Athamneh M, Khamees A, Radaideh T. Impact of COVID-19 on medical students' mental wellbeing in Jordan. PLoS One. 2021;16(6):e0253295.

Jupina M, Sidle MW, Rehmeyer Caudill CJ. Medical student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clin Teach. 2022;19(5):e13518.

Rolland F, Hadouiri N, Haas-Jordache A, Gouy E, Mathieu L, Goulard A, et al. Mental health and working conditions among French medical students: A nationwide study. J Affect Disord. 2022;306:124-30.

Berdida DJE, Lopez V, Grande RAN. Nursing students' perceived stress, social support, self-efficacy, resilience, mindfulness and psychological well-being: A structural equation model. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2023;32(5):1390-404.

Khanna RC, Honavar SG, Metla AL, Bhattacharya A, Maulik PK. Psychological impact of COVID-19 on ophthalmologists-in-training and practising ophthalmologists in India. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2020;68(6):994-8.

Faraj TA. STRESS LEVELS REGARDING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMONG NURSING STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF SULAIMANI, KURDISTAN REGION, IRAQ. Wiad Lek. 2022;75(4 pt 1):809-13.

Braz-José C, Morais Caldas I, de Azevedo Á, Pereira ML. Stress, anxiety and depression in dental students: Impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 pandemic. Eur J Dent Educ. 2023;27(3):700-6.

Wilkes TC, Lewis T, Paget M, Holm J, Brager N, Bulloch A, et al. Wellbeing and mental health amongst medical students in Canada. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2022;68(6):1283-8.

Moosa IA. The effectiveness of social distancing in containing Covid-19. Applied economics. 2020;52(58):6292-305.

Brooks SK, Webster RK, Smith LE, Woodland L, Wessely S, Greenberg N, et al. The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence. The lancet. 2020;395(10227):912-20.

Wang C, Pan R, Wan X, Tan Y, Xu L, Ho CS, et al. Immediate psychological responses and associated factors during the initial stage of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic among the general population in China. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2020;17(5):1729.

Zurlo MC, Cattaneo Della Volta MF, Vallone F. COVID-19 student stress questionnaire: development and validation of a questionnaire to evaluate students’ stressors related to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Frontiers in psychology. 2020;11:576758.

Algarni FS. Gender differences in scores of anxiety and depression among physical therapy students of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research. 2020;8(4):3537-46.

AlAteeq DA, Aljhani S, AlEesa D. Perceived stress among students in virtual classrooms during the COVID-19 outbreak in KSA. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences. 2020;15(5):398-403.

Downloads

Published

2025-05-21