Pandemic Stress Index (PSI)

Download the Pandemic Stress Index
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  1. What are you doing/did you do during COVID-19 (coronavirus)? (check all that apply)

__ no changes to my life or behavior

__ practicing social distancing (i.e., reducing your physical contact with other people in social, work, or school settings by avoiding large groups and staying 3-6 feet away from other people)

(if yes – how long have you been doing/did you do this for? [days])

Of these X days, how many did you end up needing to be physically near people (i.e., you were not able to practice social distancing on those days)?

(if yes – did you choose to do this yourself or did someone else require you to?)

(if yes – did you do this to protect someone else in your household?)

__ isolating or quarantining yourself (i.e., while you are sick or if you have been exposed, separating yourself from other people to prevent others from getting it)

(if yes – how long have you been doing/did you do this for? [days])

Of these X days, how many did you end up breaking the isolation or quarantine (i.e., you were not isolated or quarantined on those days)?

 (if yes – did you choose to do this yourself or did someone else require you to?)

(if yes – did you do this to protect someone else in your household?)

            __ caring for someone at home

                        (if yes –

                                    __ a child or children

                                    __ an elderly person

__ working from home

(if yes – did you have to balance this with taking care of others [e.g., parents, kids, partners?])

__ not working

            (if yes – did you lose your source of income because of COVID-19/coronavirus?)

            (if yes – why? (check all that apply)

                        __ because I am/was sick or under quarantine

                        __ because someone in my household was sick/under quarantine

                        __ because my place of work was closed and didn’t offer a remote work option

                        __ because I was laid off or lost my employment

__ a change in use of healthcare services (e.g., calling your healthcare provider, going to urgent care, etc.)

            (if yes – was this an increase or decrease?)

__ following media coverage related to COVID-19 (e.g., watching or reader the news, following social media coverage, etc.)

            (if yes: on average, how many hours per day did you spend on this?)

__ changing travel plans

            (if yes – did you travel more or less?)

  1. How much is/did COVID-19 (coronavirus) impact your day-to-day life? 
    1. Not at all
    2. A little
    3. Much
    4. Very Much
    5. Extremely
    6. Decline to answer

  2. Which of the following are you experiencing (or did you experience) during COVID-19 (coronavirus)? (check all that apply)

__ being diagnosed with COVID-19

__ fear of getting COVID-19

__ fear of giving COVID-19 to someone else

__ worrying about friends, family, partners, etc.

            if yes:

                        __ locally

                        __ in other parts of the US

                        __ outside the US

__ stigma or discrimination from other people (e.g., people treating you differently because of your identity, having symptoms, or other factors related to COVID-19)

__ personal financial loss (e.g., lost wages, job loss, investment/retirement loss, travel-related cancelations)

__ frustration or boredom

__ not having enough basic supplies (e.g., food, water, medications, a place to stay)

__ more anxiety

__ more depression

__ more sleep, less sleep, or other changes to your normal sleep pattern

__ increased alcohol or other substance use

__ a change in sexual activity

            (if yes – was this an increase or decrease?)

__ loneliness

__ confusion about what COVID-19 is, how to prevent it, or why social distancing/isolation/quarantines are needed

__ feeling that I was contributing to the greater good by preventing myself or others from getting COVID-19

__ getting emotional or social support from family, friends, partners, a counselor, or someone else

__ getting financial support from family, friends, partners, an organization, or someone else

__ other difficulties or challenges (We want to hear from you! Please tell us more__________)

 

Please use the following citation:

Harkness, A. (2020). The Pandemic Stress Index. University of Miami

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