Abstract Background The intensity of the perceived stress during the pandemic is a very basic variable for the risk analysis and proper disaster response. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between perceived stress and social support during covid-19 in diabetic patients in order to design a suitable plan for a possible pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 on 212 diabetics in Hormozgan province / southern Iran. Data were collected online using Whatsapp using social support and perceived stress questionnaires specific to COVID-19. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software using Pearson correlation coefficient tests. Results The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the stress score was 18.46 ± 4.41. Mean ± SD of social support dimensions were emotional support 30.76 ± 5.96, information support 21.63 ± 4.56, instrumental support 32.48 ± 6.68, and evaluative support 23.53 ± 4.83. There was a significant correlation between emotional support ( r =-0.377, P < 0.001) and instrumental support ( r =-0.280, P < 0.001) with perceived stress. Conclusion The inverse relationship between emotional and instrumental support and perceived stress in diabetic patients during the Covid-19 pandemic suggests that health promotion interventions focus on increasing these two forms of social support in order to reduce stress during disasters. Especially when there are warnings about the release of microbial agents from melting polar ice and the possibility of the next epidemic. Peer Review reports Background Living conditions are full of stressful factors that make a person suffer from mental and physical diseases [ 1 ]. Because mild stress is a necessary component of one’s health and serves as a driving force for adjusting to unfamiliar circumstances, stress is not necessarily a bad thing [ 2 ]. However, stress can negatively impact people’s health if it [...]
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