Perceived Stress among Diabetic and Hypertensive Individuals: An Exploration in Respect of Gender

Abstract

Perceived stress in patients with diabetes and hypertension is an essential part to measure, because high level of stress could aggravate the symptoms of prevailing problems, making it more difficult to manage and maintain control over their health. The aim of the current study was to compare the level of perceived stress among hypertensives, diabetics and healthy individuals, and in respect of their gender. Perceived stress scale developed by Jaiswal (2021) was administered on 150 participants randomly selected from Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The sample comprised of 50 individuals (25 male and 25 female) in each of three different groups that are hypertensives, diabetics, and a healthy group. For statistical analysis of data Two-way Anova was used. The findings revealed that there were significant differences were found among three groups of hypertensives, diabetics, and a healthy group. Hypertensives reported significantly higher level of uncontrollable perceived stress. Furthermore, patients suffering from hypertension experienced significantly high level of overall perceived stress in comparison to diabetics, and healthy individuals. Additionally, no significant differences were revealed on all dimensions of perceived stress in reference to gender.