Causes of Stress and Coping Strategies Adopted by Undergraduate Health Professions Students in a University in the United Arab Emirates
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2013, Vol 13, Issue 3
Abstract
Objectives: Tis study aimed to compare causes of stress and coping strategies adopted by a sample of undergraduate health-profession students at the Gulf Medical University, United Arab Emirates. Methods: An anonymous voluntary questionnaire-based survey was conducted, from January to July 2011, among frst- and second-year medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and physiotherapy students (N = 212) to identify causes of stress. Coping strategies were studied using the Brief COPE Inventory. Results: Worries regarding the future (54.2%) and parental expectations (40.1%) were the major stressors. Poor diet (36.8%) and a lack of exercise (36.3%) were also reported to cause stress. Students used multiple strategies, mainly religion/praying (74.5%), planning (70.5%) and taking action (70.5%) to cope with stress. Tere were no signifcant differences observed in the stressors or coping strategies between genders or programmes. First-year students (62.5%) relied on emotional support signifcantly more (P <0.05) than second-year students (48.5%). Conclusion: Te main causes of stress were worries regarding future and parental expectations. Te majority of the students used positive coping strategies, with religion/ praying found to be the most frequently used strategy.
Authors and Affiliations
Kadayam G. Gomathi| Department of Biochemistry, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, Soofa Ahmed| Department of Biochemistry, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, Jayadevan Sreedharan| Department of Biochemistry, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP14377
- DOI -
- Views 311
- Downloads 9
Caesarean sections at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital: A three year review
Objective: To review the caesarean sections (C/S) performed at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, over a period of three years. Method: The records of 727 patients who underwent C/S at SQUH during t...
4th Symposium on Patient Safety One Aim with Shared Responsibilities Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultanate of Oman 2nd - 4th February 2009
Taurine Levels in Human Aqueous Humour
Objective - To determine whether taurine is present in normal human aqueous humour and whether these levels are altered in patients with retinoblastoma. Method - Taun'ne levels were estimated in aqueous humour of 3 child...
Heavy Vehicle Crash Characteristics in Oman 2009–2011
In recent years, Oman has seen a shift in the burden of diseases towards road accidents. Te main objective of this paper, therefore, is to describe key characteristics of heavy vehicle crashes in Oman and identify the...
Nodular Melanoma Mimicking Keratoacanthoma Lessons to learn
A 67-year-old man of Chinese descent presented with a painless nodular lesion that had been present on his right forearm for the previous 3 months. A single, well-defned, dome-shaped, frm nodule with a central keratin...