Table 1. Main stressors reported by medical students.
Statement | Mean (SD) |
---|---|
Extensive content | 6.01 (1.258) |
Lack of time to study | 5.88 (1.375) |
Sleep deprivation | 5.74 (1.561) |
Excessive self-pressure for good grades | 5.61 (1.594) |
Lack of leisure time | 5.60 (1.451) |
Exams/evaluations | 5.52 (1.550) |
Lack of time with friends and family | 5.37 (1.573) |
Extensive homework | 5.33 (1.577) |
Faculty pressure | 5.13 (1.828) |
Fear of failing any course | 5.10 (1.851) |
Fear of failing medical school | 5.06 (1.914) |
Competitive environment | 5.05 (1.911) |
Lack of time for exercise | 5.02 (1.664) |
Grades | 4.98 (1.749) |
Difficulty understanding the content | 4.93 (1.715) |
Lack of motivation to learn | 4.92 (1.651) |
Uncertainties | 4.88 (1.777) |
Family pressure | 4.87 (2.021) |
Knowing that I will be observed during exams | 4.66 (1.976) |
Ignorance of the criteria used to correct exams | 4.64 (1.831) |
Inability to answer patients’ questions | 4.60 (1.836) |
Insufficient time to answer all exam questions | 4.55 (1.889) |
Concern about my diet | 4.46 (1.731) |
Mental health | 4.27 (1.996) |
Physical health | 4.15 (1.864) |
Lower grades than peers | 4.06 (1.978) |
Poor grades in previous exams from a certain course | 4.00 (2.167) |
Health of family members | 3.97 (1.906) |
Multiple-choice questions | 3.93 (1.832) |
Financial issues | 3.68 (1.904) |
Romantic relationships | 3.02 (1.860) |
Peer relationships | 3.01 (1.649) |
Interactions with patients | 2.84 (1.618) |
Family relationships | 2.59 (1.665) |
Complex exam questions | 2.58 (1.666) |
Faculty relationships | 2.42 (1.412) |
Sexual issues | 2.38 (1.680) |
Employment issues (unrelated to medical school) | 2.19 (1.705) |
Substance use | 1.70 (1.420) |
SD = standard deviation.