The correlation between well-being and stress in a cohort of dental students: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Aim: Mindfulness is the act of “focused at the moment” process encompassing a paradox of terms including and not limited to well-being. The aim of this study was to find a correlation, be it positive or negative, between well-being and stress. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study included a questionnaire-type format recruiting a convenient multicenter study sample of 744 participants across the different dental schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study design included an operator-designed questionnaire and well-being tool kit having six domains of which some are inherent to the cultural aspects of the region. The domains were religious and meditation wellness, academics wellness, social and cultural wellness, mental wellness, environmental wellness, and physical wellness. Spearman’s correlation, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and multivariate analysis were conducted by Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: There was a positive inverse relationship between each of the domains relative to the perceived stress scale (P < 0.005). Conclusion: This study is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, and the six-domain tool kit with a favorable alpha coefficient can be used in future studies of well-being in such a vulnerable population, university students. “Burn out syndrome” is a reality that must be addressed, better yet to provide prophylaxis against via a custom designed well-being tool kit that can identify those vulnerable to the effects of a world laced with artificial intelligence, technology, and work-related stress.