Analysis of the factors that induce stress in medical students
Keywords:
ESTRÉS PSICOLÓGICO; ESTUDIANTES DE MEDICINA; RENDIMIENTO ACADÉMICO; SALUD MENTAL.; STRESS, PSYCHOLOGICAL; STUDENTS, MEDICAL; ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE; MENTAL HEALTH. ; ESTRESSE PSICOLÓGICO; ESTUDANTES DE MEDICINA; DESEMPENHO ACADÊMICO; SAÚDE MENTAL.Abstract
Introduction: academic stress is a frequent phenomenon among university students, especially in Medicine, where academic workload and personal demands affect physical and psychological health.
Objective: to analyze the factors that induce stress in Medicine students at the Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, Ambato.
Methods: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 87 fifth-semester Medicine students enrolled at the Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. A structured test with 96 items grouped into six domains (lifestyle, environment, symptoms, occupation, relationships, and personality) was applied. Results were classified into five stress zones. Informed consent, anonymity, and confidentiality were guaranteed.
Results: Zone 3 concentrated 39 % of the students, followed by Zone 4 with 32 % and Zone 5 with 27 %, considered high risk. The main stressors were personality (2097 points), interpersonal relationships (2060), and work/occupation (1883). Sociodemographic factors such as marital status and number of children were identified as increasing the final score in some cases.
Conclusions: the study showed that personality is the main stressor among Medicine students, followed by relationships and academic occupation. Although most students were located in intermediate zones, a significant number presented critical levels of stress, highlighting the need to implement psychological support strategies and coping programs to prevent negative consequences on their well-being and academic performance.
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