Perceived stress, coping behaviour, and health outcomes among South African undergraduate medical students.
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Date
2003
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Abstract
This empirical study assessed the perceived stressors in medical school environment and
psychological outcomes in undergraduate medical students in a non - western sample. The
sample consisted of African and Indian students in the Clinical group (N = 149) and a
matched Control group, the Pre-clinical group (N = 158) bringing the total number of
participants to 307. The research dealt with perceived stressors, coping mechanisms and
outcomes in a medical school environment. Outcome was assessed using self-report
instruments which examined stress symptoms and psychological distress. Both bivariate
and multivariate correlational analyses were performed to investigate correlations and the
predictive value of risk factors for psychological distress. The findings indicate that there
are no significant differences in the perception of stressors in the medical school
environment between the Pre-clinical and Clinical groups. Maladaptive coping strategies,
perceived stressors and female gender have important roles to play in predicting
psychological distress. High self-esteem and good social support for both groups, as well
as optimism in the Clinical group protects against psychological distress. Strengths and
limitations of this study as well as implications for intervention strategies among
undergraduate medical students are also discussed.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2003.
Keywords
Medical students--Psychological aspects., Stress management., Stress (Psychology)--Health aspects., Theses--Behavioural medicine., Stress (Psychology)