STRESS AND COPING SKILLS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to assess the stress and coping skills among undergraduate medical students.
Methods: A quantitative cross sectional study conducted from September to November 2022, in University College of medicine and dentistry, UOL. The participants were MBBS students of 1st year until final year. The data was collected by using three questionnaires: demographic form, suanprung stress test and COPE inventory and was analyzed by using SPSS25. Associated factors of stress were analyzed by Kruskal-wallis and chi square test.
Results: Data was collected from 675/780 undergraduate medical students with a response rate of 86.5%. Female students responded (53%) in majority as compared to males (47%). According to the association between general demographic characteristics and coping strategies, gender, scores, religion, and illness have been found to have significant correlation with adaptive coping strategies. These demographic characteristics may influence how an individual responds to stress and may affect their ability to use adaptive coping strategies.
Conclusion: Usually medical students have flexible coping skills. Adaptive coping mechanisms were significantly correlated with gender, education and health problem.
Keywords: undergraduate; medical; stress; coping skills
