Stressors and coping strategies among medical students in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Medical education is known to be stressful and demanding. Medical students face a various stressors, which include academic pressure, fear of not reaching goals, and difficulty integrating into systems. This study aims to assess levels of stress and coping strategies among medical students at Jazan University in Saudia Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted that comprised of 240 students at Jazan Faculty of Medicine using a self-administrated questionnaire to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristics, perceived stress, stressors, and coping strategies. RESULTS: Respondents mean age was 22.08 ± 1.82 years and 52.7% were female. Of these, 51.9% were in preclinical years of study, 29.5% were in the second academic year, and 39.8% had a GPA greater than 4. Students stress level ranges from moderate to high. The most common causes were academic problems and frequency of examinations and work overload (92.1%), worrying about the future (61.8%), and lack of entertainment and time for recreation (58.9%). The most common coping strategy was recreational activity such as going to movies, watching TV, reading, sleeping, or shopping (36.5%). Mean perceived stress scale (PSS) and Brief-COPE scores were 24.1 ± 4.85 and 66.16 ± 10.71, respectively. Participant age and PSS score have significant positive correlation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Stress level is moderate to high especially among students in preclinical years and among females. It is recommended to improve teaching and learning environment plus proper counseling and academic support. Also, active involvement of students in the educational process may help reduce academic stressors. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMERY: Medical students face a range of stressors due to the demands of study. This research found medical Students suffer stress level ranging from moderate to high. Most common causes of stress are academic problems, frequency of examinations, and work overload. Most common coping strategy performed by students was recreational activities like going to movies, watching TV, reading, sleeping, or shopping. It is recommended to improve teaching and learning environment plus proper counseling and academic support. Also, active involvement of students in the educational process may help reduce academic stressors.