Raw data PSS_GAD Psychosocial impact of lockdown.csv

Background: Research on the psychosocial toll of the COVID-19 pandemic is being conducted in various countries. This study aimed to examine the levels and the causal stressors for perceived stress and generalized anxiety in the Indian population related to the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A total of 300 adults were approached to participate in the online study via snowball and virtual snowball sampling. They were requested to complete electronic survey forms for assessing perceived stress and anxiety, and questions related to psychosocial stressors. Frequency and percentage was used for categorical variables. One-way ANOVA test was applied to compare responses based on gender, level of education, employment, and place of residence. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result: 257, out of the 300 participants who were requested, responded and completed the survey. Males constituted 58% (n=149) of the respondents. Overall, 84 % (n=217) participants had moderate to severe levels of perceived stress and 88 % (n=228) had moderate to severe levels of anxiety.

Conclusion: The psychosocial impact of the nationwide lockdown on the Indian population has been high. The vulnerable groups for stress and anxiety include females, younger age, and the unemployed. The stressors recognized include fear of contracting COVID-19, inability to execute routine exercise schedule and worry about the future.