Stress and its social determinants – a qualitative study reflecting the perceptions of a select small group of the public in Sri Lanka
Background: Exposure to stress, especially for prolonged periods, can result in physical and mental disorders. To attribute causality to its associated disease profile, social determinants need to be identified at the population level. The objective of this study was to explore perceptions regarding...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijpm.info/article.asp?issn=0253-7176;year=2020;volume=42;issue=1;spage=69;epage=79;aulast=Senanayake |
| _version_ | 1818715968399998976 |
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| author | Buddhika Senanayake Sumudu Indika Wickramasinghe Sisira Edirippulige Carukshi Arambepola |
| author_facet | Buddhika Senanayake Sumudu Indika Wickramasinghe Sisira Edirippulige Carukshi Arambepola |
| author_sort | Buddhika Senanayake |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Exposure to stress, especially for prolonged periods, can result in physical and mental disorders. To attribute causality to its associated disease profile, social determinants need to be identified at the population level. The objective of this study was to explore perceptions regarding stress and its probable social determinants, among a purposeful cohort of the public from Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Methods: A qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted among adults. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 8--10 participants into homogenous groups. Data were collected until information saturation. A semistructured FGD guide was used to facilitate the discussions. Content analysis methods were used to analyze data. Results: Six FGDs consisting of 59 participants were conducted. Participants included primary healthcare workers, community members, village leaders, private and public sector employees, unemployed individuals, homemakers, self-employed persons, slum dwellers, and persons from affluent communities. Three main themes emerged: social, economic, and cultural factors. Social factors consisted of four sub-themes: social role or status, generation gap, disability, and unsafe environment. Economic factors included three related subthemes: poverty, unemployment, and job insecurity. Cultural factors included three subthemes: superstitious beliefs, religion and caste, marriage and dowry. Conclusion: Elements regarding stress and its social determinants among the public in Sri Lanka seem to be an amalgam of interconnected sociocultural and economic factors. However, addressing these social determinants in isolation (at an individual level) may not be feasible, as most causes appear to be outside the scope of the individual. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T19:11:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2b6e06f735e64be9b7fb9e9fc11744f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0253-7176 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T19:11:47Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-2b6e06f735e64be9b7fb9e9fc11744f52022-12-21T21:35:50ZengSAGE PublishingIndian Journal of Psychological Medicine0253-71762020-01-01421697910.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_482_18Stress and its social determinants – a qualitative study reflecting the perceptions of a select small group of the public in Sri LankaBuddhika SenanayakeSumudu Indika WickramasingheSisira EdirippuligeCarukshi ArambepolaBackground: Exposure to stress, especially for prolonged periods, can result in physical and mental disorders. To attribute causality to its associated disease profile, social determinants need to be identified at the population level. The objective of this study was to explore perceptions regarding stress and its probable social determinants, among a purposeful cohort of the public from Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Methods: A qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted among adults. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 8--10 participants into homogenous groups. Data were collected until information saturation. A semistructured FGD guide was used to facilitate the discussions. Content analysis methods were used to analyze data. Results: Six FGDs consisting of 59 participants were conducted. Participants included primary healthcare workers, community members, village leaders, private and public sector employees, unemployed individuals, homemakers, self-employed persons, slum dwellers, and persons from affluent communities. Three main themes emerged: social, economic, and cultural factors. Social factors consisted of four sub-themes: social role or status, generation gap, disability, and unsafe environment. Economic factors included three related subthemes: poverty, unemployment, and job insecurity. Cultural factors included three subthemes: superstitious beliefs, religion and caste, marriage and dowry. Conclusion: Elements regarding stress and its social determinants among the public in Sri Lanka seem to be an amalgam of interconnected sociocultural and economic factors. However, addressing these social determinants in isolation (at an individual level) may not be feasible, as most causes appear to be outside the scope of the individual.http://www.ijpm.info/article.asp?issn=0253-7176;year=2020;volume=42;issue=1;spage=69;epage=79;aulast=Senanayakehealth perceptionsocial determinantsstress disorders key messages: social determinants were interconnectedoften across sociocultural and economic domains. most of these factors were outside the scope of the individual's personal purview and thereforeholistic national policy initiatives will be required to assist those affected at the population level. |
| spellingShingle | Buddhika Senanayake Sumudu Indika Wickramasinghe Sisira Edirippulige Carukshi Arambepola Stress and its social determinants – a qualitative study reflecting the perceptions of a select small group of the public in Sri Lanka Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine health perception social determinants stress disorders key messages: social determinants were interconnected often across sociocultural and economic domains. most of these factors were outside the scope of the individual's personal purview and therefore holistic national policy initiatives will be required to assist those affected at the population level. |
| title | Stress and its social determinants – a qualitative study reflecting the perceptions of a select small group of the public in Sri Lanka |
| title_full | Stress and its social determinants – a qualitative study reflecting the perceptions of a select small group of the public in Sri Lanka |
| title_fullStr | Stress and its social determinants – a qualitative study reflecting the perceptions of a select small group of the public in Sri Lanka |
| title_full_unstemmed | Stress and its social determinants – a qualitative study reflecting the perceptions of a select small group of the public in Sri Lanka |
| title_short | Stress and its social determinants – a qualitative study reflecting the perceptions of a select small group of the public in Sri Lanka |
| title_sort | stress and its social determinants a qualitative study reflecting the perceptions of a select small group of the public in sri lanka |
| topic | health perception social determinants stress disorders key messages: social determinants were interconnected often across sociocultural and economic domains. most of these factors were outside the scope of the individual's personal purview and therefore holistic national policy initiatives will be required to assist those affected at the population level. |
| url | http://www.ijpm.info/article.asp?issn=0253-7176;year=2020;volume=42;issue=1;spage=69;epage=79;aulast=Senanayake |
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