Correlation of perceived stress, sleep pattern, and sleep quality of adult residents of the Philippines during the enhanced community quarantine for the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Author:
Frances Mary C. Agustin
1
;
Keith Romeo A. Aguilera
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From: Journal of the Philippine Medical Association 2023;101(2):1-10
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION:The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent
enforcement of enhanced community quarantine in the
Philippines has forced residents to stay within the
confines of their home, reducing social interaction, and
causing changes in the usual routine. The appearance of
a novel coronavirus has also brought about an
unprecedented period of stress and uncertainty.
OBJECTIVE:The primary objective of this study was to determine the perceived stress, sleep patterns, and sleep quality of adult residents of the Philippines during the enhanced community quarantine.
METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study which looked at the proportion of adult Filipinos with sleep difficulties during the period of the enhanced community quarantine, together with sleep quality and perceived stress. Three different questionnaires: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were electronically administered to participants. Their demographic data were also recorded. Correlation between all scores recorded from the Perceived Stress Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were done. All collected data were statistically analyzed through descriptive statistics. Frequency and proportion were used for nominal variables, median and range for ordinal variables, and mean and standard deviation for interval/ratio variables. Pearson's rho/Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used in determining correlation between PSQI, ISI, and PSS scores.
RESULTS:301 participants were included. 64% had poor sleep quality on PSQI, and 73% were under moderate perceived stress. 45.5% were not tagged with clinically significant insomnia, while 36.5% were screened to have subclinical insomnia. Pairwise correlations among the PSQI, PSS, and ISI revealed a moderate positive relationship, where higher PSS, ISI, and PSQI scores correlated with higher scores across the three scoring systems.
CONCLUSION:Stress levels were moderately high, and sleep quality was poor during the period of enhanced community quarantine. Majority of participants did not have clinically significant insomnia, but many were found to have subclinical insomnia. Based on our data, higher levels of perceived stress correlated to sleep difficulties and poor sleep quality. These findings suggest that aside from efforts in preventing and treating COVID-19, a premium must also be put on addressing and managing each individual's stress levels and sleep difficulties, and practicing sleep hygiene during the pandemic. - Full text:101(2)_1.pdf