Perceived Academic Stress Among Undergraduate Medical Students and Their Coping Strategies

Abstract

Objective: To identify the factors causing academic stress among undergraduate medical students of government and private sector medical colleges. To identify the methods adopted by these students to overcome academic stress.
Method: It is a quantitative study done on medical students of one public and one private sector medical college. Nawaz Sharif Medical College, Gujrat and Islam Medical and Dental College, Sialkot was included. It was done over 6monthsi.e. 1.1.2021 to 30.6.2021.Ethical approval wastaken fromboth colleges. 50 students each from fourth and final year were taken from both medical colleges. Total sample size was of 200 students. Simple randomsampling was done.The data was collected using PASS scale.The questionnaire was distributedamong 50 students of each class of 4th and final year and asked to fill on voluntary basis. Data is analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results: Academic stress level in public sector medical college was low in 25%, moderate in 40% and severe in 35%. As compared to this, the private sector students were having low stress level in 10%, moderate in 30% and severe in 60%. The major coping strategies adopted by the students to relieve stress were Venting off emotions, use of social support, and religious coping.
Conclusion: This study guides the authorities to modify the curriculum and teaching environment of medical colleges of Pakistan to decrease the academic stress and ultimately improve the academic performance of our students. This also indicates the student`s personal awareness of stress and need for psychological support.

How to cite: Waheed SS. Perceived Academic Stress Among Undergraduate Medical Students and Their Coping
Stategies. Esculapio - JSIMS 2022;18(04):248-252