Psychological Assessment using Modified DASS-21 Scale during COVID-19 Pandemic

Aims: To assess the levels of stress, anxiety, depression among the general population during COVID-19 pandemic and to compare the levels of psychological morbidities, between two different geographical locations in India.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study

Place and Duration of Study: Kerala and Tamil Nadu, between March 2021 and August 2021.

Methodology: A total of 522 participants got enrolled for the study, while 505 participants comprising 256 males and 249 females were selected, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the level of distress experienced by the study population.

Results: The sample size was calculated to be around 385 fixing a 95% confidence interval, 5% margin of error with a population proportion of 50% and of unlimited population size. Depression level among male (38%) was slightly higher than female population (37%). Anxiety levels were similar among the male (42%) and female (42%). Stress level was found to be slightly higher in female (22%) than in male (19%). State wise comparison showed that the people of Tamil Nadu had slightly higher level of depression (44%), anxiety (49%) and stress (26%) than the people of Kerala. The parameter of anxiety seemed to be higher when compared with depression and stress. 38% of the population suffered from all the 3 mental health conditions. 32% had at least 2 mental health related trouble. 11% had no mental health issue.

Conclusion: The study reveals that COVID pandemic had definitely created a lot of psychological instability amongst the general public. Our findings propose that constructing a sense of self-management among the general population through providing proper awareness about psychological morbidities and develop necessary interventions that can improve the mental health of vulnerable groups which may be crucial in ensuring preparedness for high contesting environments and adjustments during such pandemic experiences.