The relationship between gender and coping mechanisms with burnout events in first-year medical students

PURPOSE: First-year students are susceptible to experiencing burnout if the coping mechanism being used is inadequate; therefore, employing effective coping mechanisms could help students to minimize burnout. Coping mechanisms are divided into five groups: problem-focused, emotion-focused, dysfunctional coping, adaptive, and maladaptive coping. The burnout dimension includes emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and decreased academic performance that may be influenced by gender. This study aims to elaborate on the relationship between gender and coping mechanisms with burnout events in first-year medical students. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using a total sample of first-year students from a medical school. RESULTS: A total of 167 respondents (response rate 98.9%) completed a Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between gender and burnout (p>0.05). On the contrary, maladaptive/dysfunctional coping had a significant positive correlation with emotional exhaustion (r=0.403, p<0.001) and cynicism (r=0.372, p<0.001). Adaptive coping had a significant negative correlation with cynicism (r=-0.165, p=0.033) and a significant positive correlation with perception of personal accomplishment (r=0.417, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there was no significant relationship between gender and burnout. However, maladaptive/dysfunctional coping had a positive correlation with emotional exhaustion and cynicism. On the other hand, adaptive coping had a negative correlation with cynicism and a positive correlation with perception of personal accomplishment.