Risk and Protective Factors of Stress Level in COVID-19 Survivors

Aim: The level of mental emotional disorders in community has increased since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the risk factors and protective factors of the stress level of COVID-19 survivors. Subjects and Methods: This study used a descriptive analytic design with a cross sectional approach. A total of 66 respondents were involved in this study. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of: 1) Sociodemographic factors (age, sex, education level, COVID-19 wave and long COVID); 2) Risk factors (previous mental disorders, economic problems, substance use, loneliness, conflict in relationships and loss of important people); 3) Protective factors (spirituality, healthy eating patterns, physical activity, good sleep patterns and good personal relationships. Stress levels were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist - 25 (HSCL - 25), where if the total score/ number of items ≥ 1.75 then categorized as experiencing stress disorder. For data analysis, SPSS Windows 25 was used. Results: The results of the descriptive analysis show that COVID-19 survivors were of the average age of 18-40 years old (78.8 %), female (80.3 %), had undergraduate education level (75.8 %), affected in wave II (45.5 %), felt loneliness (51.5 %), had conflict in their relationships (56.1 %), experienced continued effect of COVID (81.8 %), experienced anxiety (53 %), depression (56.1 %) and stress (57.6 %). The most influential factor on the stress level of COVID-19 survivors was sex (p = 0.032; OR: 0.189). Conclusion: There is no relationship between risk factors and protective factors on the stress level of COVID survivors. The most influential factor is the socio-demographic factor of sex.