Sources and Severity of Stress in Various Domains among First Year Medical Students and its Relationship with their Academic Performance: A Cross Sectional Study

Authors

  • Samiksha Goyal1 , Farah Khaliq2

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v8i4.1712

Keywords:

Stress, Medical students, Academic performance, MSSQ, Academic related stressors.

Abstract

Background: First year medical students are the most vulnerable group to experience stress in their new
environment in the field of medicine. The present study evaluated perceived stress among them along with
its correlation with academic performance.
Method: An Indian adaptation of the Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ) was used to determine
the effect of stress on the academic performance of students. Responses were correlated with their respective
1st professional exam marks.
Results: Stress due to examinations was reported by 24.5% students and due to excess syllabus by 33%.
Some students (11.8%) experienced severe stress due to relationship issues, due to unjustified grading
process (10.4%) and health issues. Females had more academic and group activity related stress as compared
to males. The students who participated in sports or cultural societies had higher Drive and Desire related
stress levels in contrast to the non-participants. The interpersonal & intrapersonal relatedstress (IRS score)
of students was negatively correlated with their academic performance. The increased stress among female
participants was related to an improved academic performance in them.
Conclusions: Too much stress negatively interfered with student’s preparation, concentration and
performance while positive stress helped student achieve peak performance.

Author Biography

  • Samiksha Goyal1 , Farah Khaliq2

    MBBS Student, UCMS & GTB Hospital, Delhi University, Delhi, 2MD, PhD. Professor,
    Department of Physiology, UCMS & GTB, Hospital, Delhi University, Delhi

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Published

2020-10-10

How to Cite

Sources and Severity of Stress in Various Domains among First Year Medical Students and its Relationship with their Academic Performance: A Cross Sectional Study. (2020). International Journal of Physiology, 8(4), 64-71. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v8i4.1712