Entrevista PAT Moises

Introduction to the Research on Mental Health in Peru

Purpose of the Interview

• The interview aims to address the significant increase in depression and anxiety levels among the Peruvian population.

• Rosa introduces herself and emphasizes that there are no right or wrong answers, highlighting the value of participant experiences.

Confidentiality Assurance

• Participants are assured that their responses will remain confidential and anonymous, shared only with the internal team.

Participant Background: Moisés

Personal Information

• Moisés introduces himself as a 26-year-old from Lima, currently on vacation from studies while working at a wholesale market selling consumer products like pineapple and avocado.

Work Environment

• He describes his work environment as involving interactions with customers who can be either in good or bad moods, which affects his own mood and productivity.

Stress Factors in Daily Life

Academic Responsibilities

• Moisés discusses balancing work with studying civil engineering, noting that academic responsibilities contribute significantly to his stress levels due to complex assignments and strict deadlines.

Daily Routine Challenges

• His typical day starts at 2:30 AM, leading to fatigue; he manages time between work and study but struggles with maintaining a healthy diet due to late hours.

Study Schedule Insights

Class Timing Preferences

• Moisés prefers evening classes after working during the day; however, this leads to exhaustion affecting his performance in both work and studies. He notes that studying at night allows for more flexibility but also comes with challenges such as potential sleep deprivation.

Impact of Class Scheduling on Stress Levels

• He acknowledges that attending classes immediately after work can lead to poor understanding of material due to fatigue, which may result in lower exam scores contributing further to stress and anxiety.

Situations Triggering Stress or Anxiety

Contextual Triggers for Stress

• The interviewer prompts Moisés about specific moments when he feels heightened stress or anxiety, indicating an exploration into personal triggers related to work, university life, or personal relationships. This section sets up for deeper insights into how these factors interplay within his daily life experiences.

Stress and Anxiety in Daily Life

Personal Experiences with Stress

• The speaker experiences increased stress during the academic year, particularly when balancing work and university classes. This leads to feelings of exhaustion and a lack of time to fulfill obligations.

• Academic pressures contribute significantly to stress, as assignments require high efficiency and exams can be unpredictable, leading to poor results despite preparation.

Characteristics of Stress

• The speaker describes physical symptoms of stress, such as shoulder tension and mental fatigue, which hinder daily activities.

• There is an acknowledgment that striving for success in both studies and work can lead to normal feelings of tension and fatigue.

Coping Strategies for Managing Stress

• To manage stress, the speaker utilizes organization techniques like creating a digital agenda or notebook for planning academic tasks.

• Engaging in sports activities like running or playing football helps alleviate mental burdens associated with academic responsibilities.

Effectiveness of Coping Mechanisms

• The speaker finds that exercising is beneficial for releasing stress and fatigue. Organizing tasks also aids in managing workload effectively.

• Planning helps maintain control over responsibilities, reducing the feeling of being overwhelmed by tasks.

Impact of Stress on Work and Relationships

• Stress negatively affects workplace interactions; it can lead to poor communication with clients, resulting in decreased productivity.

• The pressure from both work and studies creates a challenging environment where maintaining a positive attitude becomes difficult due to accumulated stress.

• Balancing multiple commitments often results in insufficient sleep as individuals try to meet their obligations within tight schedules.

The Impact of Stress on Personal and Academic Life

Challenges in Group Work

• Discusses the difficulties faced when collaborating with classmates due to conflicting schedules, leading to stress and frustration.

• Highlights the need for flexibility and time management when balancing academic responsibilities with personal commitments.

Effects of Stress on Relationships

• Explores how stress can negatively affect personal relationships, including family and romantic partnerships.

• Notes that stress can lead to fatigue, irritability, and poor communication, which may escalate conflicts.

Coping with Overwhelming Stress

• Shares a personal experience where work and study responsibilities clashed, resulting in significant stress.

• Emphasizes the tendency to postpone academic tasks due to prioritizing work obligations for financial independence.

Strategies for Managing Stress

• Suggests seeking help from peers to alleviate workload pressures during busy periods of study.

• Recommends planning as a crucial strategy for managing responsibilities effectively and reducing anxiety.

Importance of Discipline in Stress Management

• Identifies discipline as a key factor in maintaining consistency in activities like exercise that contribute to stress relief.

• Stresses the role of motivation from friends or family in fostering emotional resilience during challenging times.

Seeking Professional Help

• Describes an experience seeking professional psychological support, highlighting its potential benefits despite economic constraints.

• Points out that while sports can be a cost-effective way to manage stress, professional help often requires financial investment.

Economic Barriers to Mental Health Support

• Discusses the high costs associated with therapy sessions (approximately 400 soles), which can limit access for students balancing work and studies.

• Reflects on how financial limitations impact decisions regarding mental health care options.

Emotional Well-Being and Professional Help in Exercise

The Importance of Professional Guidance

• The speaker emphasizes that exercising requires personal decision-making and discipline, highlighting the need for professional help when necessary.

• Trust is crucial when seeking professional assistance; individuals should feel comfortable discussing their issues with a specialist.

• Sharing personal struggles with a trained professional can provide valuable guidance to improve emotional challenges.

Utilizing Digital Resources for Emotional Wellness

• The speaker mentions using ChatGPT for clarifying doubts and receiving academic support, emphasizing its versatility based on user needs.

• YouTube is identified as a resourceful platform where users can find professional videos that offer guidance on various topics related to emotional well-being.

Frustrations with Current Stress Solutions

• A key frustration expressed is that many existing solutions seem generic and do not consider individual circumstances such as work-study balance and constant pressure.

• Empathy is highlighted as essential; solutions should be tailored to accommodate diverse lifestyles, habits, and cultural backgrounds.

Features of an Ideal Emotional Support App

• The speaker envisions an app that provides continuous emotional support by interacting with users during stressful moments.

• An ideal app would include features like emotion detection sensors to identify stress levels and offer timely recommendations for improvement.

Essential Functions for Effective Use of the App

• Daily emotional tracking is deemed vital, along with personalized short exercises to guide users through physical activities effectively.

• Proper exercise execution guidance is emphasized; it's important not just to perform exercises but also to do them correctly for maximum benefit.

• Access to professional orientation within the app could help users understand stress manifestations linked to family pressures or financial concerns.

App Pricing and Accessibility Discussion

Opinions on Monthly App Pricing

• The speaker discusses the potential of a monthly app fee of 9.90, suggesting it is an accessible payment option that could lead to clearer and more efficient recommendations.

• However, they acknowledge that not everyone can afford this fee, which may limit access for some users.

Preference for Free Access

• The speaker expresses a strong preference for the app to be free, emphasizing that this would allow broader usage without financial barriers.

• They argue that if the app were to charge a fee, it must provide significant value to justify the cost.

Stress Management Insights

• The discussion shifts towards stress management, highlighting its prevalence among university students and in workplaces.

• The speaker suggests that effective decision-making is crucial in managing stress levels effectively.

Professional Support for Stress Management

• There is a call for professional support within the app to help users manage their stress-related queries.

• The speaker reiterates their preference for free access to such professional guidance within the application, as paid services could restrict accessibility.