Self-perception of Stress During COVID-19 Pandemic in Romanian Research, Development and Innovation Institutes: An Observational Study

An observational study has been conducted to evaluate the stress level at the level of public and private research, development and innovation institutes (RDII) in Romania during COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire has been developed and the RDIIs in Romania were invited to fill as per 15 November to 15 December 2021. The RDII respondents boast well-established infrastructures equipped with major scientific resources, primarily funded through non-reimbursable public funds, a significant portion of which originates from the EU. Stress is a prevalent concern among respondents, with a significant portion perceiving it as a bodily pressure and reporting feeling affected by it. Many respondents indicated a high volume of tasks, an inadequate working atmosphere, routine responsibilities, underestimated task durations, and the need for multitasking as stress factors.