A comparative study of perceived stress among female medical and non-medical university students in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate any differences between female undergraduate medical and non-medical students for : 1) prevalence and causes of perceived academic stress, and 2) changes in physical, mental, psychological and emotional health as well as life-style since starting college studies.

Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dammam University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in January 2008.

All 319 pre-clinical female medical students were included in the study and 297 non-medical students from the College of Applied Studies and Community Services (CASCS) were selected by stratified random sampling.

The study instrument was a questionnaire on the “Influence of Studying on Students’ Health”.

Results : More medical students (48.6 %) reported being frequently stressed due to studies than CASCS students (38.7 %, P < 0.01).

Unsuitable teaching methods, an unsatisfactory study environment, and fear of failure in examinations were more frequently mentioned by medical than non-medical students (P < 0.05).

While underlying social problems were significantly more common in medical students, economic problems were more prevalent among CASCS students (P < 0.05, P < 0.05).

More medical than non-medical students reported a worse status of physical and mental health, anxiety and depression and negative life-style changes since initiation of the college programme.

Conclusion : Medical students were at higher risk of physical and mental health problems than non-medical students due to academic stress.

Since a substantial proportion of CASCS students also experienced academic stress, we recommend that a student support committee be established for both colleges to provide counselling and guidance in healthy ways to cope with stress.