Abstract
Background: This research investigated perceived stress (PS) in osteopathic medical students and whether selected coping skills (CS) increase or decrease PS. Additionally, the research explored which demographic groups experience higher levels amounts of PS, and the CS most often utilized by those groups. Researchers were interested in determining how these factors might affect the medical school experience.
Methods: Participants from a college of osteopathic medicine completed a survey consisting of the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Coping Orientation to Problem Experience Inventory. Perceived Stress and CS were analyzed separately using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, ANOVAs, and Kruskal-Wallis Tests. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine a potential relationship between PS and CS.
Results: Medical students experienced moderate PS, M=15.91, (SD=7.60). In terms of CS, venting and mental disengagement demonstrated increases in PS while emotional support and planning demonstrated decreases in PS. Females demonstrated greater levels in the following CS in comparison to males: PS (M=18.50, SD=7.28), males (M=13.81, SD=7.29), t(65)=2.62, p=0.01, venting, females (Mdn=10.00) males (Mdn=7), U(Nfem=30, Nmales=37)=258.00, z= -3.77, p<0.00. and emotional support, females (Mdn = 13.50) males (Mdn = 11.00), U(Nfem=30, Nmales=37)=390.50, z= -2.09, p<0.05. Males demonstrated greater coping with restraint in comparison to females, males (M=11.16, SD=2.85), females (M=9.87, SD=2.21), t(65)= -2.04, p < 0.05. Significance in CS for school years was observed with humor, X2(3)=8.20, p=0.04. Third-year students demonstrated greater use of humor as a CS than second-years, MD= -3.65, p=0.04. Multiple regression revealed increases in PS with coping skills: mental disengagement and venting, (β =0.35, t(50)=3.90, p<0.00); (β = 0.56, t(50)=5.27, p<0.00), and decreases in PS with CS emotional support (β = -0.26, t(50)= -2.28, p=0.03), and planning (β= -0.34, t(50)= -2.70, p <0.01).
Conclusion: The level of PS may be associated with greater levels of depression which may negatively impact performance in medical school and as a future professional. Maladaptive emotion-focused CS, such as venting and mental disengagement, demonstrate a relationship to increased PS, while action-oriented CS like planning demonstrate a relationship with decreased PS.
Methods: Participants from a college of osteopathic medicine completed a survey consisting of the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Coping Orientation to Problem Experience Inventory. Perceived Stress and CS were analyzed separately using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, ANOVAs, and Kruskal-Wallis Tests. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine a potential relationship between PS and CS.
Results: Medical students experienced moderate PS, M=15.91, (SD=7.60). In terms of CS, venting and mental disengagement demonstrated increases in PS while emotional support and planning demonstrated decreases in PS. Females demonstrated greater levels in the following CS in comparison to males: PS (M=18.50, SD=7.28), males (M=13.81, SD=7.29), t(65)=2.62, p=0.01, venting, females (Mdn=10.00) males (Mdn=7), U(Nfem=30, Nmales=37)=258.00, z= -3.77, p<0.00. and emotional support, females (Mdn = 13.50) males (Mdn = 11.00), U(Nfem=30, Nmales=37)=390.50, z= -2.09, p<0.05. Males demonstrated greater coping with restraint in comparison to females, males (M=11.16, SD=2.85), females (M=9.87, SD=2.21), t(65)= -2.04, p < 0.05. Significance in CS for school years was observed with humor, X2(3)=8.20, p=0.04. Third-year students demonstrated greater use of humor as a CS than second-years, MD= -3.65, p=0.04. Multiple regression revealed increases in PS with coping skills: mental disengagement and venting, (β =0.35, t(50)=3.90, p<0.00); (β = 0.56, t(50)=5.27, p<0.00), and decreases in PS with CS emotional support (β = -0.26, t(50)= -2.28, p=0.03), and planning (β= -0.34, t(50)= -2.70, p <0.01).
Conclusion: The level of PS may be associated with greater levels of depression which may negatively impact performance in medical school and as a future professional. Maladaptive emotion-focused CS, such as venting and mental disengagement, demonstrate a relationship to increased PS, while action-oriented CS like planning demonstrate a relationship with decreased PS.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Oklahoma State Medical Proceedings |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 12 Dec 2024 |
Keywords
- coping mechanisms
- emotion-focused coping
- osteopathic medical school
- perceived stress
- problem-focused coping