Perceived stress, depression, and associated factors among people in Northeastern Bangladesh

This study explores the socioeconomic correlates of depressive symptoms and perceived stress using 622 items of cross-sectional data collected by survey interviews from adults living in Sylhet City, Bangladesh using random sampling. The study uses the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale to assess the intensity of depression and Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure the level of perceived stress. The study applies both simple linear and multivariate analysis. The CES-D scale of 21.6 and the PSS score of 18.79 confirm that the people in the study area are generally depressed while their stress level is moderate. Both the univariate and multivariate analyses indicate that having a profession as a day laborer, having a loan burden, occupying a lower position on the community ladder, and making household decisions are highly associated with both depressive symptoms and perceived stress. In contrast, having more family expenditure and regular jobs like public service are linked with lower levels of stress and depression. The findings of the study may contribute to the formation of stress and depression mitigation policies in the country, eventually increasing the working efficiency of the people.