Stress and coping styles in postgraduate medical students: A medical college-based study

Abstract

Background: Medical education is inherently stressful. Postgraduate medical students, in particular are vulnerable to experience stress. Considering the paucity of research on stress in postgraduate medical students, this study was conducted to assess their perceived stress and coping strategies. The study intends to provide inputs for future interventions to manage their stress. Objective: To study perceived stress, coping styles and psychological morbidity in postgraduate medical students Material & methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted on all postgraduate students willing to participate in the study, studying at this medical college and hospital. They were asked to fill a structured proforma to assess socio-demographic details and domains of stress. Stress was assessed by Perceived stress scale (PSS-10), coping strategies using BRIEF COPE and psychological morbidity screened by Self reporting questionnaire (SRQ). Descriptive analysis &Pearson correlation was done between stress levels, psychological morbidity and various coping strategies. Results: Postgraduate medical students had mean PSS-10 score of 17.96. Pearson correlation revealed positive correlation between stress levels measured by PSS-10 and psychological morbidity measured by SRQ (Correlation coefficient 0.639). There was also positive correlation independently between higher stress score and psychological morbidity with higher use of dysfunctional coping strategies (Correlation coefficient 0.44 & 0.421 respectively). Conclusion: Postgraduate students using dysfunctional coping strategies had higher stress and psychological morbidity, whereas those using healthy emotion focused coping strategies had lower stress levels and lower psychological morbidity.