Assessment of pharmacy students’ anxiety towards graduation research during their undergraduate degree in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: The benefits of undergraduate research are far-reaching; however, acquiring research experience can be challenging. Recently, students’ mental health has garnered attention as it can impact academic outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess anxiety levels related to research among undergraduate pharmacy students and identify contributing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was administered to pharmacy students from various Saudi universities between January 9, and February 28, 2023. The eligible participants were sixth- or fifth-year students who had completed at least 50% of their research project. Results: Of the 273 respondents, most had a B grade point average (51.6%) and lacked prior research experience (86.8%). The study revealed that 68.1% of students experienced anxiety about their research. Among the 20 factors examined, five were identified as significantly and strongly associated with students’ anxiety: data collection methods, challenges in writing research reports, time constraints for completing research, academic workload, and the availability of supportive individuals for discussing problems. However, anxious students also reported higher positive views towards their supervisor’s feedback on the research report. Conclusion: The findings highlight a considerable prevalence of anxiety among undergraduate pharmacy students during their research endeavours. Addressing these challenges is crucial for fostering a supportive academic environment conducive to students’ research and educational success.