Skip to main content
. 2020 Jul 17;43(1):35–42. doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2019-0824

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.