PREVALENCE OF STRESS AND COPING MECHANISMS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A PRIVATE MEDICAL COLLEGE , KOCHI,KERALA

Dr Sreejith S Nair; Mrs Nimitha Paul; Dr Amritesh; Dr Teena Mary Joy; Dr K Leelamoni

Volume : V, Issue : X, October - 2016

PREVALENCE OF STRESS AND COPING MECHANISMS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A PRIVATE MEDICAL COLLEGE , KOCHI,KERALA

Dr Sreejith S Nair, Mrs Nimitha Paul, Dr Amritesh, Dr Teena Mary Joy, Dr K Leelamoni

Abstract :

Introduction: Stress is the body�s reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response. It is defined as a state of psychological and physiological imbalance resulting from the dispar Persistent and excessive stress can impair students academic achievement and personal or professional development. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 173 medical students in a tertiary medical college in India. Levels of stress were assessed by using the standardized questionnaire proposed by John D and Catherine T Macarthur and coping mechanisms were assessed by using �Brief Cope� questionnaire. SPSS 20.0 version was used to analyze data. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Prevalence of mild, moderate and severe stress were 88.4%, 8.7% and 2.9% respectively. The most commonly used coping mechanisms among medical students were acceptance and religion and the least used mechanisms were substance abuse, denial, disengagement and humor.