THE IMPACT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS ON GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH: A FOCUS ON GASTRITIS

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological stress and symptoms of gastritis among university students in Peshawar. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 300 undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18–30 years. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and a gastrointestinal symptom questionnaire were used to gather data via online surveys. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation, were performed using SPSS v20. Results: The findings revealed that 61.07% of participants experienced high psychological stress. GI symptoms such as stomach complaints exacerbated by stress (18.85%) and frequent upset stomach (13.52%) were prevalent. Pearson's r indicated moderate correlations between stress indicators especially feelings of nervousness and loss of control and gastric symptoms. Conclusion: Psychological stress significantly correlates with gastritis symptoms among students. Interventions targeting stress management may reduce the incidence of gastritis and improve gastrointestinal and mental well-being.