The Most Stressful Events during the COVID-19 Epidemic

摘要

Objective: Stressful events increase in traumatic conditions. Coronavirus is a new and serious challenge and significantpublic health problem, which can cause different stressors. This study has identified stressful events experienced byIranian adults during the COVID-19 epidemic.Method: Data on stressful events during the COVID-19 epidemic were collected online from 418 adults (mean age 37.16years; 57.4% female and 42.6% male) using quota sampling method. Epidemic Stressful Events Checklist was appliedfor data collection. Data were analyzed by applying descriptive graphs and tables, the independent sample t-test, theFisher’s F test, and post hoc Bonferroni test.Results: The most frequent stressful event was rise in essential goods prices (84.7%); however, its perceived stress wasnot at the highest level. The highest severity of perceived stress was related to the death of a family member (4.83) dueto COVID-19 infection, which was an event with the least occurrence, and the lowest severity of perceived stress wasrelated to medical team performance (2.50). The results showed the severity of perceived stress is higher in women thanmen (t = 3.42; P value 0.01) and also in the laboring occupations compared to other occupations (F = 3.18; P value 0.05).Conclusion: Traumatic events can lead to more serious concerns, eg., worrying about those we love, concerns aboutthe future of our life, and about what politicians and macro planners will do to protect our lives. Moreover, traumaticevents can cause concerns about food, basic needs, and lack of resources to survive.