Exploring the link between eustress and adolescent health in India: An empirical study

BACKGROUND: Modern psychological research challenges the conventional view of stress as solely detrimental by introducing the concept of eustress versus distress, emphasizing the potentially positive aspects of stress. In the context of India, limited studies have investigated the distinct effects of eustress and distress on adolescents, a group prone to stress-related health issues. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the correlation between eustress and both mental and physical well-being among adolescents attending government schools in two districts of Haryana, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A non-experimental quantitative research approach was adopted to achieve this objective. The study involved a sample of 400 adolescent students, equally split between genders, aged 15 to 18 years, enrolled in grades 10 to 12. Participants were selected through systematic random sampling from two districts in Haryana. The assessment tools employed in the study included the Post Graduate Institute Health Questionnaire and the Eustress Scale, which were utilized to evaluate the participants' mental, physical, and eustress levels. RESULTS: In our study involving Indian adolescents, we discovered a substantial positive correlation (r = 0.563, P < 0.01) between eustress and mental health, underlining the valuable role of positive stress in enhancing psychological well-being. Notably, male participants exhibited significantly higher eustress scores (mean = 26.63) than their female counterparts (mean = 22.82, P < 0.01), indicating gender-specific variations in stress responses. Furthermore, our findings emphasized the influence of cultural nuances inherent to the Indian context on how adolescents perceived and experienced eustress. These outcomes emphasize the urgency of culturally sensitive interventions to promote adolescents' well-being. CONCLUSION: This investigation contributes valuable insights into the nexus between eustress and adolescent health in the Indian context. The study accentuates the potential advantages of leveraging eustress to foster positive development by underlining the differential influence of eustress and distress on adolescent health. Future research endeavors and policy formulation could delve into the mechanisms underpinning eustress and distress, thus guiding strategies to enhance adolescents' health and overall well-being.