Influence of Perceived Academic related Stress on Academic Performance of Medical Students - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Stress among medical students across the globe is a common phenomenon, they have been found to be at serious risk of mental stress and disorders with diminished life satisfaction. The present study was carried out with the objective to assess the academic stress in medical school along with it’s correlation and impact on academic performance. Methods: This study was carried out among the male and female students of College of Medicine and preparatory year, Majmaah University. The participants were selected by simple random sampling. The participants were asked to fill Perceived Mean Stress Score (PMSS) questionnaire and the data was analyzed by using SPSS version 25. The Mean and standard deviation for each response for PMSS was calculated. Appropriate statistical tests like ANOVA & multi variable logistic regression were applied to assess the impact of academic stress on their performance. Results: 242 students participated in the study out of which there were 153 males and 89 females. Male and female students were tested for difference in Perceived Mean Stress Score for all 13 domains It was noted that the Overall a higher average PMSS scores were noticed with advancing courses and also the students developed more anxiety and depression in higher grades which was reflected on their Grade Point Average (GPA) scores. Conclusions: High mean scores for stress and anxiety necessitate early identification especially in initial years of medical school and integration of preventive mental health services in routine clinical services for medical students.

References

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