An online descriptive study to assess the level of stress and coping strategies of people from different cities of Gujarat state during COVID-19 induced lockdown with a view to develop an information booklet

Background: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, on 24th march, the prime minister ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, affecting the entire 1.3 billion population of India. On 14th April, the prime minister extended the ongoing nationwide lockdown till 3rd may. On 1st may, lockdown across the country was further extended by two more weeks till 17th may. Aim: the purpose of the study was to assess the stress and best coping strategies people residing in Gujarat during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown situation. Method: a descriptive research design and quantitative approach has been used in the study with the use of perceived stress scale. Sample: the study consisted of 226 people residing in Gujarat during COVID-19 pandemic national lockdown. Design: for the present study, non-experimental descriptive design was adopted, as it was a virtue of a situation that naturally happens. Result & conclusion: the study showed that the majority of respondents are suffering from a moderate level of stress. Majority of male respondents shows that mobile chat, social media activation and watching television at home is the best way to get relaxed while least shown interest towards dancing during covid-19 national lockdown. Similarly, majority of female respondents data revealed that mobile chat, social media activation and watching television at home is the best activity to reduce their stress during lockdown. Surprisingly, least female respondents show interest towards cooking as a stress buster.