Original Articles
Perceived Stress among Undergraduate Medical and Dental students – A Cross Sectional Study | |
Dr. S Prasanna Latha, Dr. Mamatha Bellamkonda, Dr. S.Priyalatha | |
Background: Medical and dental education is inherently stressful, often leading to psychological distress among students. This study aimed to assess perceived stress levels among undergraduate medical and dental students and compare their stress patterns. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 undergraduate students (129 medical and 121 dental). Stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Demographic variables, including age, gender, place of residence, socio-economic status, and history of psychological illness, were recorded. Statistical analyses, including the Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test, were performed to compare stress levels between disciplines. Results: The study revealed that 40.8% of students experienced high stress, 32% moderate stress, and 27.2% low stress. The prevalence of high stress was comparable between medical (41.1%) and dental (40.5%) students (p = 0.592). The mean PSS-10 rank scores for medical and dental students were 122.88 and 128.29, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.555). The results also indicated that stress levels were independent of gender, residence, and socio-economic status. Coping strategies varied among students, with a mix of problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance-based methods. Conclusion: A significant proportion of undergraduate medical and dental students experience moderate to high stress, with no substantial difference between the two disciplines. These findings highlight the need for effective stress management programs and institutional interventions to promote student well-being and academic performance. |
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