List of Publications by Department for the Academic Year Stress and Coping Strategies Among Undergraduate Health Professions Students: A Cross-Sectional Study form a University in Lebanon
Abstract
Introduction: Stress, whether real or perceived, is prevalent among young adults (18-24 years), with
prevalence increasing. Previous research has identified and defined many coping mechanisms in response
to stress among health professions students.
Aims: This study aims at measuring perceived stress and exploring both sources of stress and coping
strategies in undergraduate health professions students.
Materials and Methods: A total of 427 (88.9% response rate) surveys were collected from the various
faculties from across health professions faculties at Beirut Arab University (BAU). Surveys consisted of the
Brief COPE Inventory (BCI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and were distributed via the systematic
sampling method.
Results: There was no significant difference between perceived stress scores across faculties, with stress
levels falling within a moderate stress range. Females (M=22, SD=6) demonstrated higher stress means
than males (M=18, SD=6) across faculties. Junior students, except for pharmacy students, were more likely
to use both approach-based and avoidance-based stratagems in comparison to their seniors. However,
the differences were insignificant. Stress did not seem to decrease with seniority with any significance
across all faculties. Coping stratagems were consistent across all years, leaning towards approach-based
mechanisms.
Conclusion: Moderate stress levels were observed across all health professions faculties at BAU, and
stress levels did not seem to attenuate with passing academic years. It is imperative to optimize student
support systems on campus, and encourage students to seek help whenever needed.
Journal/Conference Information
BAU Journal- Health and Wellbeing,DOI: https://digitalcommons.bau.edu.lb/hwbjournal/vol3/
iss1/2, ISSN: ISSN: 2617-1635, Volume: 3, Issue: 1, Pages Range: 1-13,