Volume 30, Issue 3, 2021
DOI: 10.24205/03276716.2021.5013
Stress profile as a predictor of anxiety in Mexican medicine students
Abstract
Background: College students are a group at risk for anxiety and stress due to psychological, social and academic demands occurring in the context of education. The purpose of this study was to construct a multiple regression model that determines dimensions of the stress profile as a predictor of stress in Mexican medicine students. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was made of 873 Mexican medicine students during the 2018 school year. The survey included demographic data, the Nowack’s Stress Profile, and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory STAI. The regression method statistically validated the stress profile dimensions p.
Results: The study variables meeting the prediction criteria with a significant value were for the anxiety trait dimensions; ARC item cluster, positive valuation, type A behavior and stressful situations (R2 = 64.80%; F = 7.39; p < 0.01); and for the anxiety state they were: negative valuation, social support network and cognitive strength (R2 = 56.50%; F = 67.54; p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The study determined that anxiety and stress are present in medicine students in Mexico; therefore, we would recommend establishing programs aimed at handling and controlling the variables of situations posing a risk of stress that may cause anxiety, for prevention purposes and to prevent the consequences on the health, academic performance and wellbeing of medicine students in Mexico.
Keywords
anxiety; stress profile; medical students; type A behavior; positive valuation