Abstract

Adult women experiences more health related changes and complications than men and are at greater risk of developing mental problems specially stress, because of different biological, mental, social, psychological alternations, which negatively affect their quality of life. Stress is not only ubiquitous in contemporary life but also an anticipated part of everyday living (1). Persistent Stress often leads to mental, physical and social health problem in individuals (2). ‘American Psychological Association’ from their work on ‘Gender and Stress 2010’ found that women are more stressed than men as they had to face more responsibilities, more physical, mental and psychological problems as compared to men and they are more likely to report physical and emotional symptoms of stress. (3). ‘Hans Selye’ first introduced the term ‘Stress’ (4). He defined Stress as ‘the generalized, non-specific response of the body to any factor that overwhelms, or threatens to overwhelm, the body’s compensatory abilities to maintain homeostasis’ (5). Perceived Stress PS is individual’s thoughts or feelings, stress he/she undergoes at a given point in time/ given period of time. It tells about the uncontrollability unpredictability of a person’s life, the confidence to deal with the irritating disputes or hassles, problems or difficulties and changes occurring in a life (6). In our study Cohen’s et al 1983 Perceived Stress Scale PSS 14 questionaries’ was used to assess the perceived stress in females. PSS measures the Perceived Stress and the degree to which any situation in a person’s life is considered as stressful. The questions in the PSS ask about feelings and thoughts a person experiences during the last month. High score indicates more PS present in daily life & vice versa (7).

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