Description:DESCRIPTION:
Field of the invention:
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of psychological treatment in major public health events and in specific, relates to a measuring scale that measures an individual’s stress levels and identifies their mental health condition.
Background of the invention:
[0002] COVID-19 sparked widespread panic throughout the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic, which reportedly began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has rapidly spread to other nations, with multiple cases documented globally. Consequently, the number of instances increased dramatically. According to a news statement issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on May 8, 2020, a total of 14, 37,788 suspected samples were delivered to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, and a corresponding testing facility for analysis.

[0003] The preventive measures taken by the people are essential. In specific, the information received regarding risk and its perception of the epidemic will influence how it is faced, based on the principle of health communication. Regarding the pandemic, it is important to bear in mind the so-called optimism bias by which individuals estimate the probability of getting infected with the virus and infecting others if they do get infected. This bias causes people to perceive themselves to be at lower risk of infection than someone similar to them. This bias is also known as the overconfidence effect.

[0004] Most of the individuals were significantly affected by nervousness and anxiety. Recent research indicates that individuals who are isolated and quarantined exhibit elevated levels of anxiety, anger, disorientation, and distress. The affected individuals display multiple signs of mental trauma, including depression, distress, temperamental moods, irritation, sleeplessness, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to all studies that have looked at the psychological disorders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[0005] Additionally, verdicts indicate that frequent media exposure results in stress. In spite of this, it is currently difficult to precisely estimate the psychological and emotional effects of COVID-19. Studies commenced in developed countries, the first nation to be hit by the recent spread of this virus, indicates that people's dread of unknown viruses’ origin might lead to mental disorders. As individuals are constantly exposed to anxiety-provoking themes connected to this rising health concern, health practitioners, researchers, and policymakers must understand the clinical symptoms of abnormal cognitive processes associated with COVID-19.

[0006] A modest degree of attention and reflection on COVID-19 knowledge might help individuals remain safe, but excessive thinking can be draining and destructive. Decision-makers, health authorities and healthcare professionals need to grasp the type and degree of detrimental psychological responses to the COVID-19 problem. However, multiple assessments of COVID-19 fears and anxiety have been developed, which are often one-dimensional (i.e., focused on general anxiety characteristics of COVID-19) and predicated on minimal psychometric assessment.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for creating an experimentally valid assessment of stress and anxiety symptoms associated with COVID-19. There is also a need for a measuring scale system to identify individuals who needs mental health services by evaluating COVID-19-related distress and based on demographic information. Further, there is also a need for a measuring scale system to evaluate COVID-19-related distress by considering factors include health anxiety, traumatic stress symptoms, phobia and somatic complaints.
Objectives of the invention:
[0008] The primary objective of the invention is to provide a measuring scale that measures individual’s stress levels and identifies their mental health condition

[0009] Another objective of the invention is to provide a scale that focuses on general anxiety characteristics of COVID-19 and predicates minimal psychometric assessment.

[0010] The other objective of the invention is to provide a scale for creating an experimentally valid assessment of stress and anxiety symptoms associated with COVID-19.

[0011] The other objective of the invention is to provide a measuring scale that was specifically developed to be easily adaptable for subsequent pandemics.

[0012] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a scale that is employed to reliably recognize likely instances of dysfunctional anxiety and symptom severity related to the coronavirus.

[0013] Further objective of the invention is to provide a scale to assess phobia, anxiety, depression, fear, and stress-related characteristics and to better comprehend and evaluate COVID-19-related distress.
Summary of the invention:
[0014] The present disclosure proposes a measuring scale for determining COVID-19-related distress and anxiety symptoms and method thereof. The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0015] In order to overcome the above deficiencies of the prior art, the present disclosure is to solve the technical problem to provide a measuring scale that measures an individual’s stress levels and identifies their mental health condition.

[0016] According to an aspect, the invention provides a method for operating a measuring scale system to evaluate COVID-19-related distress. The computing device having a controller, a memory, a confirmatory factor analysis module, a Cronbach’s alpha factor analysis module and a statistical analysis module. The computing device includes a smartphone, a computer, a laptop, a tablet and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

[0017] Initially, the computing device collects data from respondents individually who are participated in a survey. Next, a questionnaire includes a plurality of questions is prepared for the respondents based on the collected data by considering multiple parameters using the computing device. In specific, the multiple parameters include virus phobia, health anxiety, depression, fear and stress. Next, the computing device receives answers from the respondents for the questionnaire.

[0018] The respondents answer each question by providing grades based on their agreement and disagreement. In specific, the respondents answer each question in the questionnaire by providing grades on a five-point Likert scale. Next, the computing device separates the plurality of questions based on at least four factors using a Confirmatory Factor analysis module with Varimax Rotation and Bartlett’s method. The measuring scale performs a Cronbach’s alpha analysis module on the answers provided by the respondents. In specific, the computing device is configured to separate the plurality of questions based on the at least four factors by considering a threshold value of 0.36 on a single factor item.

[0019] The at least four factors include COVID Health Anxiety, COVID traumatic stress symptoms, COVID phobia and COVID Somatic Complaints. Finally, the computing device analysis the separated questions and evaluate a psychological stage of each respondent. The measuring scale system is configured to identify the respondents who are at risk due to the COVID-19-related distress during and after a pandemic and individuals who needs mental health services based on a demographic information includes a gender, age, education, place of residence, chronic illness and infected by the corona virus.

[0020] Further, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the following portion of the specification, the claims, and the attached drawings.
Detailed description of drawings:
[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a measuring scale system for determining COVID-19-related distress and anxiety symptoms of individuals, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for evaluating COVID-19-related distress of individuals using the measuring scale system, in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Detailed invention disclosure:
[0024] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps.

[0025] The present disclosure has been made with a view towards solving the problem with the prior art described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring scale that measures individuals’ stress levels and identifies their mental health condition.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 refers to a block diagram of a measuring scale system 100 for determining COVID-19-related distress and anxiety symptoms of individuals. In one embodiment herein, the measuring scale system 100 is configured to identify individuals who needs mental health services by evaluating COVID-19-related distress and based on demographic information. The measuring scale system 100 evaluates COVID-19-related distress by considering factors include health anxiety, traumatic stress symptoms, phobia and somatic complaints of the individuals. In one embodiment herein, the system 100 comprises a computing device 102 having a controller 104 and a memory 106 in communication with the controller 104. The memory 106 is configured for storing one or more instructions executable by the controller 104. The computing device 102 is in communication with a server via a network 118.

[0027] In one embodiment herein, the computing device 102 comprises a confirmatory factor analysis module 108, a Cronbach’s alpha factor analysis module 110 and a statistical analysis module 112. In one embodiment herein, the statistical analysis module 112 comprises a varimax rotation 114 and a Bartlett’s method 116. The system 100 is configured to receive data from multiple users or individuals through one or more user devices, for example, a smartphone or a computer via the network 118. The system 100 uses the data to evaluate the COVID-19-related distress of the individuals by considering multiple parameters.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 refers to a flowchart 200 of a method for evaluating the COVID-19-related distress of the individuals using the measuring scale system 100. At step 202, the computing device 102 collects the data from respondents individually who are participated in a survey. At step 204, the computing device 102 prepares a questionnaire that includes a plurality of questions for the respondents based on the collected data by considering multiple parameters. In specific, the multiple parameters include virus phobia, health anxiety, depression, fear and stress. At step 206, the computing device 102 receives answers from the respondents for the questionnaire. In specific, the respondents answer each question by providing grades based on their agreement and disagreement. In one example herein, the respondents answer each question in the questionnaire by providing grades on a five-point Likert scale.

[0029] At step 208, the computing device 102 separates the plurality of questions based on at least four factors using a Confirmatory Factor analysis module 108 with Varimax Rotation 114 and Bartlett’s method 116. The measuring scale system 100 performs a factor analysis on the answers provided by the respondents using a Cronbach’s alpha factor analysis module 110. In specific, the computing device 102 is configured to separate the plurality of questions based on the four factors by considering a threshold value of 0.36 on a single factor item. The four factors include, but not limited to, COVID Health Anxiety, COVID traumatic stress symptoms, COVID phobia and COVID Somatic Complaints.

[0030] At step 210, the computing device 102 analyses the separated questions and evaluates a psychological stage of the each respondent. The measuring scale system 100 is configured to identify the respondents who are at risk due to the COVID-19-related distress during and after a pandemic and individuals who needs mental health services based on a demographic information includes a gender, age, education, place of residence, chronic illness and infected by the corona virus.

[0031] The measuring scale system 100 includes a statistical analysis module 114, which is performed using R language version 4.1.2 with R package-Cmdr. The statistical analysis module 114 comprises a varimax rotation 114 and Bartlett’s method 116. In the plurality of questions in the questionnaire, multiple questions are eliminated during separation due to low factor loading. The computing device 102 includes a computer, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

[0032] In one example embodiment herein, initially, a cross-sectional study is carried out and data is collected using a paper-based questionnaire. Next, the respondents is sampled using the sampling technique. For example, there are 503 respondents, who were post-graduates and are employed. In specific, the 503 respondents include 206 men and 297 women. The proportion of men to women was essentially similar. The inclusive criteria were young adults, who were around 17 – 30 years old.

[0033] In one example embodiment herein, initially, the data is collected from the individually at the beginning of the survey. Later, the questionnaire of 30 questions is prepared from the collected data. In specific, the questionnaire is prepared based on multiple parameters such as virus phobia, health anxiety, depression, fear and stress. Later, the respondents who were participated in the survey asked to rate each question in the questionnaire on the five-point Likert scale with a score of 1 representing strong agreement and a score of 5 suggesting strong disagreement, with undecided serving as an intermediate value. There are no negative statements. The responses were assessed such that a low score suggests that Covid-19 caused more distress.

[0034] In one embodiment herein, the respondents are also known as the participants. At first, the respondents were asked to provide their age, gender, level of education, marital status, occupation and socioeconomic status, whether they have a chronic condition, whether they have been infected with the coronavirus and whether they are close to someone who was infected by the virus.

[0035] Table 1:
Variables Number Percentage %
Gender
Male
Female
206
297
40.95
59.05
Age
17 – 30 (Young Adults)
31 – 45 (Middle Adults)
Above 45 (Old Adults)
411
84
8
81.71
16.70
1.59
Education
Graduation
Post-Graduation
Ph.D.
37
444
22
7.36
88.27
4.37
Income
Below 20000
20001 - 40000
40001 - 60000
Above 60000
258
113
94
38
51.29
22.47
18.69
7.55
Place of Living
Urban
Rural
291
212
57.85
42.15
Chronic Illness
Yes
No
20
483
3.98
96.02
Infected by the corona Virus
Yes
No
98
405
19.48
80.52
Know someone infected
Yes
No
341
162
67.79
32.21

[0036] Table 1 depicts the personal details of the respondents who participated in the survey. In one embodiment herein, statistical analysis module 112 is performed using openly accessible tools, R language version 4.1.2 with R package-Cmdr. Cronbach alpha factor analysis module 110 is used to determine the test's internal consistency before evaluating the factor analysis. The questionnaire's internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha=0.89) for the total score and 0.79, 0.81, 0.81, 0.78, and 0.77 for subscales 1 through 4, respectively.

[0037] In one embodiment herein, the data is subjected to Confirmatory Factor Analysis module 108 with Varimax Rotation 114 and Bartlett's method 116. The outcomes of this analysis are presented in table format. Subsequent to the factor analysis, 26 elements are placed into four factors, while the remaining four items are eliminated. Included were all items that loaded greater than 0.36 on a single factor item.

[0038] Table 2:
Questions Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4
Q1 0.237 0.192 0.690
Q2 0.162 0.154 0.719
Q3 0.186 0.244 0.620
Q4 0.193 0.190 0.666
Q5 0.165 0.281 0.519 0.472
Q6 0.238 0.293 0.458 0.496
Q7 0.426 0.156 0.429
Q8 0.214 0.323 0.409 0.226
Q9 0.292 0.160
Q10
Q11 0.138 0.386 0.321 0.156
Q12 0.156 0.252 0.272
Q13 0.223
Q14 0.146 0.411 0.124
Q15 0.535 0.119 0.157
Q16 0.146 0.697 0.144
Q17 0.198 0.714 0.260
Q18 0.133 0.750 0.180
Q19 0.581 0.146
Q20 0.456 0.334 0.107
Q21 0.710 0.122 0.119
Q22 0.707 0.208
Q23 0.762 0.107 0.172
Q24 0.594 0.284 0.167
Q25 0.355 0.435 0.126
Q26 0.371 0.165 0.182 0.261
Q27 0.353 0.310 0.162 0.441
Q28 0.366 0.143 0.192
Q29 0.585 0.104 0.222 0.113
Q30 0.598 0.174 0.256 0.171

[0039] Table 2 depicts the factor loading of four factors. In 30 questions, 26 questions are placed into four factors, while the remaining four questions are eliminated. The 26 questions include a loaded factor greater than 0.36 on a single question.

[0040] In one embodiment herein, the factor 1 comprises nine questions, among these are anxieties about visiting the doctor, eating and drinking in a crowd, travelling to the hospital, feeling unrealistic about the surroundings, and being anxious about social distance. Fear of public gatherings has the highest factor loading, at 0.76, while basic hygiene maintenance has the lowest factor loading, at 0.36. The term "Health Anxiety" was designated based on the definitions of variables (Q20, Q21, Q22, Q23, Q24, Q26, Q28, Q29 and Q30).

[0041] In one embodiment herein, the factor 2 comprises eight questions. These include being terrified of dying in agony, being disturbed by trivial things, having no desire to eat, being irritated, edgy, feeling a bit down, sad, having sleeping difficulties and having thoughts that are upsetting to the mind. Fear of dying in anguish has the greatest factor loading of 0.75 and the lowest factor loading of 0.38. The term "Traumatic Stress" was designed based on the definitions of variables (Q11, Q14, Q15, Q16, Q17, Q18, Q19 and Q25).

[0042] In one embodiment herein, the factor 3 comprises seven questions. These include dread of corona, corona-related thoughts, fear of dying as a result of the corona, fear of social media posts, difficulty sleeping, fear when not wearing a mask and fear of dying. The maximum factor loading of 0.72 is for uncomfortable corona thoughts, while the lowest factor loading of 0.40 is for death phobia. The term “Corona Virus Phobia” was designed based on the definitions of variables (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q7 and Q8).

[0043] In one embodiment herein, the factor 4 comprises two questions. The highest factor loading is 0.49 for a quick spike in heart rate at any time suspecting that he/me may have corona. The lowest factor loading for nightmares regarding corona is 0.44. The term is classified as a Somatic complaint based on the definitions of variables (Q6 and Q27). Due to low factor loading, variables Q9, Q10, Q12, and Q13 were eliminated from the questionnaire.

[0044] Table 3:
Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4
SS loadings 3.989 3.734 3.302 1.029
Proportion variance 0.133 0.124 0.110 0.034
Cumulative Variance 0.133 0.257 0.368 0.402

[0045] Table -3 depicts the sum of square loadings of four components, namely 3.98, 3.73, 3.30, and 1.02. Factor 1 loading is the highest, followed by factor 2, factor 3, and factor 4. In addition, the percentage variance and cumulative variance of the four components suggest that factor 1 has the largest proportion variance at 0.133 and factor 4 has the lowest proportion variance at 0.03. The p-value for the factor analysis of four components of the chi-square statistic with 321 degrees of freedom is 2.25.

[0046] In one embodiment herein, a stable four-factor solution is identified, which corresponds to five scales measuring COVID-19 stress and anxiety symptoms. In specific, the anxiety symptoms include COVID health anxiety, COVID traumatic stress symptoms, COVID phobia and COVID somatic complaints. The scales performed admirably on a variety of reliability and validity measures. The scales were interrelated and loaded on a single higher-order component, indicating the presence of COVID-19 Distress Syndrome (CDS).

[0047] The scales represent potential as instruments for better understanding the stress and anxiety associated with COVID-19 and identifying individuals in need of mental health treatment. The CDS can also be used to identify which individuals are more likely to engage in safety-related actions. For example, the CDS could be utilized to determine which individuals are most likely to engage in cleanliness practices, social distance, and vaccination uptake, when accessible.

[0048] In one example embodiment herein, if the pandemic has passed once, it is envisaged that the populace will have severe mental health concerns. Based on previous pandemics, where anxiety, depression, and traumatic reactions were found, these predictions are made. Consequently, the creation of a pandemic-specific measure, such as the CDS, can assist in the identification of those at risk for negative emotional reactions both during and after a pandemic. The measuring scale is used to assist public health officials with resource allocation for mental health interventions.

[0049] It is assumed that individuals with current anxiety-related disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder) will score higher on the CDS than nonclinical controls. This subject needs additional investigation. A further limitation was the geographical constraint to a particular region, which may not have been representative of the entire population in several aspects. Despite these limitations, the development of a reliable device to evaluate COVID-19-related stress reactions is of critical importance. It is anticipated that the CDS will lead to significant new empirical results regarding the nature of COVID-19-related reactions and future pandemics in a broad sense.

[0050] Numerous advantages of the present disclosure may be apparent from the discussion above. In accordance with the present disclosure, a measuring scale for determining COVID-19-related distress and anxiety symptoms is disclosed. The proposed measuring scale for determining COVID-19 measures individuals’ stress levels and identifies their mental health condition. The proposed measuring scale focuses on general anxiety characteristics of COVID-19 and predicates on minimal psychometric assessment.

[0051] The proposed measuring scale creates an experimentally valid assessment of stress and anxiety symptoms associated with COVID-19. The proposed measuring scale was specifically developed for easily adaptable for subsequent pandemics. The proposed scale was employed to reliably recognize likely instances of dysfunctional anxiety and symptom severity related to the coronavirus. The proposed measuring scale assess phobia, anxiety, depression, fear, and stress-related characteristics to better comprehend and evaluate COVID-19-related distress.

[0052] It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations can be made to the processes described in the foregoing examples without departing from the principles underlying the invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.
, Claims:CLAIMS:
I / We Claim:
1. A method for evaluating COVID-19-related distress of individuals using the measuring scale system (100), comprising:
collecting data, by a computing device (102), from respondents individually who are participated in a survey;
preparing a questionnaire includes a plurality of questions for the respondents based on the collected data by considering multiple parameters using the computing device (102);
receiving, by the computing device (102), answers from the respondents for the questionnaire, wherein the respondents answer each question by providing grades based on their agreement and disagreement;
separating, by the computing device (102), the plurality of questions based on at least four factors using a Confirmatory Factor analysis module (108) with Varimax Rotation (114) and Bartlett’s method (116); and
analysing, by the computing device (102), the separated questions and evaluating a psychological stage of each respondent.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multiple parameters include virus phobia, health anxiety, depression, fear and stress.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the respondents answer each question in the questionnaire by providing grades on a five-point Likert scale.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computing device (102) is configured to separate the plurality of questions based on the at least four factors by considering a threshold value of 0.36 on a single factor item.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least four factors include COVID Health Anxiety, COVID traumatic stress symptoms, COVID phobia and COVID Somatic Complaints.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring scale system (100) is configured to identify the respondents who are at risk due to the COVID-19-related distress during and after a pandemic and individuals who needs mental health services based on demographic information includes a gender, age, education, place of residence, chronic illness and infected by the corona virus.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring scale system (100) is configured to perform a factor analysis on the answers provided by the respondents using a Cronbach’s alpha factor analysis module (110).
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computing device (102) having a controller (104), a memory (106), a Cronbach’s alpha factor analysis module (110), a confirmatory factor analysis module (108) and a statistical analysis module (112).
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computing device (102) includes a smartphone, a computer, a laptop, a tablet and a personal digital assistant (PDA).