INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XXVI October 2025 | Special Issue on Education

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Investigating the Association Between Stress Levels and Mental Health

Among Covid-19 Infected Hospitalised Males in Himachal Pradesh

Jyoti Bala

, Dr. Sanjay Sharma

, Dr. Rubina Sharma

Research Scholar, Department of Physical Education Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla-5

Professor, Department of Physical Education Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla-5

Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, MCM DAV Sec-36, Chandigarh

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.903SEDU0609

Received: 23 October 2025; Accepted: 28 October 2025; Published: 08 November 2025

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the association between stress levels and mental health among COVID-19 infected

hospitalised male patients in Himachal Pradesh. Utilizing a linear regression model, the study examines whether

elevated stress levels are significantly linked to diminished mental health outcomes. To ensure sample diversity,

data were collected from 100 hospitalised male patients across five districts: Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Mandi, Una,

and Shimla. Statistical analysis revealed a significant negative correlation, indicating that higher stress levels

were associated with poorer mental health, which in turn deteriorated the psychological health status of this

population. These findings underscore the importance of integrating psychosocial support into clinical care,

particularly during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19, Stress, Mental Health, Psychological Well-being, Hospitalised Males, Himachal

Pradesh.

INTRODUCTION

Health is an overall construct that transcends physical robustness, encompassing mental, emotional, and social

well-being. It reflects a state of internal balance, where individuals can manage challenges, maintain resilience,

and engage meaningfully with life. Mental health, in particular, forms the core of this balance, impacting not

only how individuals think and feel but also how they respond to stress and relate to others. The interplay

between mental and physical health is bidirectional. While physical illness can impair psychological well-being,

prolonged psychological stress can also weaken the immune system and elevate the risk of chronic conditions.

Mental wellness is therefore integral to overall health, enabling individuals to navigate social roles, perform

daily tasks, and face adversity with a stable outlook.

In recent decades, stress has emerged as a pervasive concern in both public health and academic discourse. It is

frequently associated with emotional exhaustion, cognitive disruptions, and somatic symptoms. Defined broadly,

stress refers to a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from demanding or threatening circumstances. It

can manifest as a reaction to both acute life events and sustained pressures, triggering behavioural, psychological,

and physiological changes. Theoretical frameworks by Selye (1956), Lazarus (1966, 1975), and Appley and

Trumbull (1967) have shaped our understanding of stress. These scholars emphasized that stress is not merely

an external stimulus, but a subjective experience shaped by perception, coping ability, and cognitive appraisal.

Lazarus, in particular, described stress as the perceived discrepancy between environmental demands and an

individual’s ability to cope. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic created a global atmosphere of uncertainty

and fear. Beyond the physical health implications, the pandemic introduced profound psychological distress due

to factors such as isolation, fear of contagion, loss of loved ones, and disruption of social routines (Lu et al.,

2020; Ahmed et al., 2020). Hospitalised patients, in particular, faced heightened vulnerability, not only from the

virus itself but also from prolonged confinement, separation from family, and constant exposure to medical

procedures. Numerous studies have reported increases in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic

stress among individuals affected by the pandemic. The emotional toll of social isolation, along with fears of

mortality and uncertain recovery, intensified mental health challenges, especially among hospitalised COVID-

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XXVI October 2025 | Special Issue on Education

Page 8131

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19 patients (Xiang et al., 2020). Early reports even linked severe distress during the pandemic to neurotic

behaviours, underlining the urgent need for psychosocial support.

Psychological stress, when left unaddressed, can manifest in various mental health disorders, including insomnia,

withdrawal, irritability, emotional numbness, and depressive episodes. These symptoms may appear

immediately after trauma or develop gradually over time. In this context, understanding stress as a potential

predictor of Mental Health becomes critically important. The present study aims to examine the extent to which

COVID-19-related stress can serve as a predictor of mental health outcomes in hospitalised male patients. By

focusing on a vulnerable population within Himachal Pradesh, this research seeks to provide insights that can

inform future mental health strategies and pandemic preparedness frameworks.

Objective

• To assess the association between stress levels and mental health among Covid-19 infected hospitalised

males in Himachal Pradesh.

Hypothesis

• There would be no significant predictive relationship between stress levels and mental health among

Covid-19 infected hospitalised males in Himachal Pradesh.

METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN

The primary objective of this study was to examine the predictive influence of COVID-19 induced stress on the

Mental Health of hospitalised males, diagnosed with COVID-19 across five districts of Himachal Pradesh

namely; Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Mandi, Una, and Shimla. The research aimed to explore how psychological well-

being was affected by the experience of infection within the distinct socio-geographical settings of these regions.

A total of 100 male participants were included in the study, with an equal representation of 20 individuals from

each district. Data collection was carried out using the snowball sampling technique, which enabled participant

recruitment through community-based referrals, particularly effective given the sensitive and health-related

context of the research.

To investigate the mental health of the participants, the Hindi version of the Mental Health Battery (MHB)

developed by Arun Kumar Singh and Alpana Sen Gupta was administered. This instrument consists of 130 items.

To measure stress levels, the Hindi adaptation of the Student Stress Scale (SSS) by Dr. Zaki Akhtar was

employed. The scale comprises of 51 items designed to identify stress among individuals. The reliability of both

instruments was confirmed through split-half and test-retest methods, with reliability coefficients exceeding

0.70, indicating strong consistency and suitability for statistical analysis, including linear regression. A total of

100 male participants were selected for the study. They completed both assessment tools, and the responses were

analysed to determine the predictive relationship between stress and mental health outcomes.

Statistical Analysis, Findings and Results

The collected data were systematically analysed to identify significant trends and patterns across the selected

districts. To examine the predictive relationship between stress levels and Mental Health of hospitalised Covid-

19 infected males in Himachal Pradesh, a linear regression analysis was applied. In this model, stress was treated

as an independent variable, while mental health served as dependent variable. The level of statistical significance

was set at 0.01, ensuring a high threshold for determining meaningful associations.

Table 1: ANOVA TEST for Regression Predicting Mental Health from Stress Levels among Hospitalised Males

Model

Sum of

Squares

Mean

Square

p-value

Regression

3196.283

336.29

0.00*

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XXVI October 2025 | Special Issue on Education

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Residual

931.427

9.504

Total

4127.710

*Significant at 0.01 Level

Table 1 presents the results of an ANOVA test conducted to evaluate whether stress levels significantly predict

mental health among hospitalised COVID-19 infected males. The analysis revealed that the regression model

was highly statistically significant, F (1, 98) = 336.29, p < 0.01, indicating that stress is a significant predictor

of mental health in this population.

Table 2:Model Summary for Regression Predicting Mental Health from Stress Levels among Hospitalised

Males

Model

R Square

Adjusted R Square

Std. Error of the Estimate

0.880

0.774

0.772

3.082

Table 2 exhibits the model summary for the simple linear regression analysis conducted to predict mental health

based on stress levels among hospitalised males. The analysis yielded a strong positive correlation (R = 0.880),

and the R Square value of 0.774 indicates that 77.4% of the variance in mental health scores can be explained

by stress levels. The adjusted R² = 0.772 accounts for the number of predictors in the model, showing minimal

shrinkage, which supports the model’s reliability. The standard error of the estimate (3.082) suggests a

reasonably good fit, indicating that the predicted values are close to the actual observed values.

Table 3: Regression Coefficients for Predicting Mental Health from Stress Levels among Hospitalised Males

Model

Unstandardized

Coefficients

Standardized

Coefficients

p-value

Std. Error

Beta

(Constant)

133.821

3.318

40.327

0.00*

Stress

-0.321

0.018

-0.880

-18.338

0.00*

*Significant at 0.01 Level

Table 3 reveals the regression coefficients for predicting mental health from stress levels among hospitalised

males. The unstandardized coefficient for stress (B = -0.321, SE = 0.018) indicates that for every one-unit

increase in stress, mental health decreases by approximately 0.321 units, assuming all other factors remain

constant. The t-value = -18.338 with p < 0.01 signifies that this effect is statistically significant.

Furthermore, the standardized coefficient (Beta = -0.880) suggests a strong negative relationship between stress

and mental health. This implies that higher levels of stress are strongly associated with poorer mental health

among the hospitalised male population.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study clearly demonstrate that stress levels significantly and negatively impacted the

mental health of hospitalised COVID-19 infected males in Himachal Pradesh. The regression analysis revealed

that stress is a strong predictor of mental health, explaining 77.4% of the variance in mental health scores. The

strong negative correlation (R = 0.880) and statistically significant regression coefficients (p < 0.01) indicate

that as stress increases, mental health deteriorates considerably which further effects psychological well-being.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)

ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XXVI October 2025 | Special Issue on Education

Page 8133

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Consequently, the null hypothesis i.e. “There would be no significant predictive relationship between stress

levels and mental health among Covid-19 infected hospitalised males in Himachal Pradesh” stands rejected.

RECOMMENDATIONS

These results underscore the urgent necessity of integrating stress management strategies into the care pathways

for COVID‑19 patients to support better emotional and recovery outcomes.

1. Implementation of validated tools such as PSS‑10 can be to identify at‑risk patients early and enable timely

psychological support. Early detection enables timely intervention and support.

2. Offering of cognitive-behavioural techniques, guided breathing, relaxation, and educational sessions. Such

interventions can reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms effectively in clinical trials. Teaching of post-

Covid-19 adaptive coping strategies and support psychological resilience through workshops or short

interventions to mitigate stress-induced psychological symptoms.

3. Establish telehealth or telephone follow-up for mental health check-ins and psychoeducation to prevent

relapses or delayed emotional distress. Further, allowing virtual visits or family support during isolation and

objective support strongly buffers anxiety, depression, and insomnia in hospitalised patients.

4. Train nurses and doctors with skills in supportive communication, empathy, and early distress recognition

to help alleviate patient’s emotional burden during hospital stays.

5. Encouragement of peer-group sessions or debriefs for patients and staff to share experiences, build social

connection, and reduce feelings of isolation. Mindfulness-based interventions and group support can prove

effective.

REFERENCES

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in China and associated psychological problems. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 51, 102092.

2. Appley, M. H., & Trumbull, R. (1967). Psychological stress: Issues in research. Appleton-Century-Crofts.

3. Glass, D. C., & Singer, J. E. (1972). Urban stress: Experiments on noise and social stressors. Academic

Press.

4. Lazarus, R. S. (1966). Psychological stress and the coping process. McGraw-Hill.

5. Lazarus, R. S. (1975). Stress and emotion: A new synthesis. Springer.

6. Lu, H., Stratton, C. W., & Tang, Y. W. (2020). Outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan,

China: The mystery and the miracle. Journal of Medical Virology, 92(4), 401-402.

7. Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. McGraw-Hill.

8. Xiang, Y. T., Yang, Y., Li, W., Zhang, L., Zhang, Q., Cheung, T., & Ng, C. H. (2020). Timely mental

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