Stress and Coping Strategies among Undergraduate Nursing and Medical Students at American International Medical University, St Lucia

Abstract

Medical education can be highly stressful and could affect student performance and well-being. The present study was conducted to study stress and coping strategies among undergraduate medical and nursing students at a university in Saint Lucia. The study was conducted during July 2018 using the medical student stressor questionnaire (MSSQ) and the brief cope. The study was conducted using an online questionnaire. Gender, course of study, semester, nationality and age were noted. The stressors were grouped into six categories. Mean scores of individual statements and of the six categories were calculated. Fourteen dimensions of coping strategies were noted. These were grouped into problem focused, active emotional and avoidant coping. Mean scores were calculated. Scores were compared among different subgroups of respondents. Eighty-two students of the 161 students (50.93%) participated. Majority was medical students and Indian nationals. Most stressors caused only mild to moderate stress. Academic related stressors had the highest score (2.39) while drive and desire related stressors had the score of 0.94. Differences were noted among certain subgroups. Commonly used coping strategies were active coping, positive reframing, planning and acceptance. The use of some coping strategies varied among different respondents. The mean scores for problem focused, active emotional, and avoidant coping were 21.42, 24.08 and 18.90, respectively. Information was obtained about stress and coping strategies. There were similarities and differences compared to the study conducted in Aruba. Longitudinal studies and studies in other offshore Caribbean medical schools are required.

An Exploratory Study of Quality of Life and Its Relationship with Academic Performance among Students in Medical and other Health Professions

“…The low GPA mean score can be attributed to stressors as documented by Naidu et al in Trinidad which showed that “fear of failing course or year” and “examinations and fear of failing” were the highest-ranked stressors for dentistry students [ 26 ]. A study from St. Lucia [ 30 ] in the Caribbean region on stress and coping strategies among undergraduate medical and nursing students found that the commonly used coping strategies were active coping, positive reframing, planning and acceptance. Since medical education is very stressful, which could affect their health and well-being, there is a great need to study the stress and coping strategies among the medical and other health sciences.…”

Relationship Between Resilience And Coping Strategies Towards Stress Among Postgraduate Counsellor Trainees In Pandemic Covid-19 Era

“…Besides that, a study on stress and coping strategies among undergraduate nursing and medical students by P Ravi Shankar et al (2018) also reported that the highest mean score is active emotional coping (M = 24.08), followed by problem-focused (M= 21.42) and avoidant coping (M = 18.90). This shows that emotion-focused coping is mostly chosen when dealing with stress.…”

Determinants of Depression among Malay Single Mothers Living in Community in Perak, Malaysia

“…The greater the use of active coping, the less the likelihood of having depression, as it can protect against the adverse effects of stress. Similar coping strategies were adopted by university and nursing students to avoid depression ( 37 – 38 ). It is noteworthy that the mean age for our study cohort was 63 years old and the mean duration of being a single mother was around 10 years.…”