The mental health of ASU students has been negatively affected by the pandemic. Our research looks to prove that COVID-19 has caused an increase in stress levels while uncovering other relationships to stress. We obtained our data by conducting a survey through Google Forms that was exclusively accessible to ASU students. Stress levels were measured with the use of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). We find that the stress of ASU students from before the pandemic to during rises from 15 to 22 points, a 50% increase (n = 228). We discovered that women are more stressed than men before and during the pandemic. We also discovered that there is no difference between stresses among different races. We notice that there is a parabolic relationship between enrollment time and stress levels with the peak occurring during semesters 2-6. We also conclude that students who attended more than 5 events during the pandemic had lower stress scores, and those who had their videos on for at least 3 events had lower stress scores. Furthermore, students who utilized campus resources to manage their stress had higher stress levels than those who did not.

The mental health of ASU students has been negatively affected by the pandemic. Our research looks to prove that COVID-19 has caused an increase in stress levels while uncovering other relationships to stress. We obtained our data by conducting a survey through Google Forms that was exclusively accessible to ASU students. Stress levels were measured with the use of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). We find that the stress of ASU students from before the pandemic to during rises from 15 to 22 points, a 50% increase (n = 228). We discovered that women are more stressed than men before and during the pandemic. We also discovered that there is no difference between stresses among different races. We notice that there is a parabolic relationship between enrollment time and stress levels with the peak occurring during semesters 2-6. We also conclude that students who attended more than 5 events during the pandemic had lower stress scores, and those who had their videos on for at least 3 events had lower stress scores. Furthermore, students who utilized campus resources to manage their stress had higher stress levels than those who did not.

The mental health of ASU students has been negatively affected by the pandemic. Our research looks to prove that COVID-19 has caused an increase in stress levels while uncovering other relationships to stress. We obtained our data by conducting a survey through Google Forms that was exclusively accessible to ASU students. Stress levels were measured with the use of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). We find that the stress of ASU students from before the pandemic to during rises from 15 to 22 points, a 50% increase (n = 228). We discovered that women are more stressed than men before and during the pandemic. We also discovered that there is no difference between stresses among different races. We notice that there is a parabolic relationship between enrollment time and stress levels with the peak occurring during semesters 2-6. We also conclude that students who attended more than 5 events during the pandemic had lower stress scores, and those who had their videos on for at least 3 events had lower stress scores. Furthermore, students who utilized campus resources to manage their stress had higher stress levels than those who did not.

Forensic pathology is a critical science that bridges medicine and law. A forensic pathologist conducts autopsies to determine the cause and manner of an individual’s death, which is helpful in solving forensic cases and criminal cases and discovering hereditary diseases. They are also responsible for contacting family members or next of kin of the deceased and for presenting their findings or conclusions in court. Although forensic pathology is a vital field in science and law, there is a national deficiency of active forensic pathologists. This may be due to the lack of awareness given to the health and wellness of the workforce, which is at risk in a high stress-inducing work environment. Forensic pathologists are consistently subjected to stress due to overwhelming caseloads and a lack of adequate staffing. While there have been studies conducted in the United States to examine occupational stress and potential coping mechanisms, these reports focus on forensic scientists and not forensic pathologists specifically who may be more likely to develop stress due to their direct work with death. In order to identify what work-related factors cause forensic pathologists the most stress and how have they chosen to cope with their stress, I conducted a survey collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. After completing the study, I identified workload, inadequate staff, dissatisfaction with administration, court processes, and lack of time to complete duties as the most recurring themes of stress, which are supported by the quantitative analysis as well. The coping mechanisms most often mentioned by the participants include exercise, time with family and friends, communicating their stress, complete separation from work, and media use. After identifying these stressor and coping strategies, the participants of the study listed potential practices or programs that could be instated in order to mitigate workplace stress. From this study, suggestions can be made to medical examiner offices that are seeking to improve employee wellness and potentially adopt stress reduction programs in the workplace.