Level of Stresses and Coping Strategies in Management of Stress in Healthcare Undergraduates; Sri Lankan University Perspectives

Abstract

University is the best platform which provides opportunities for undergraduates to develop their successful career. However, it is noticed that university life has become stressful for undergraduates due to different reasons. Stress is known as a serious issue which affects the performance of undergraduates of healthcare system. Coping strategies are in demand for managing stress in the context of delivering prudent healthcare professionals to the nation. This study aimed to identify the types of stressors and coping strategies practiced by healthcare undergraduates of University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. The study was based on a cross sectional survey. Data were collected from 343 healthcare undergraduates from Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, having used stratified random sampling method and a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0 software. The study revealed that majority of undergraduates (98.8%) were affected by stress. The level of stress reported regarding examinations was very high (52.7%) compare to the other stressors. Results showed that the commonly practiced coping strategies were sleeping (93.6%) and talking to a friend/ meeting loved ones (89.8%). Results suggested that facilities rendered by two faculties including student counselling services (79.9%), mentoring programme (75.8%) and career guidance services (69.4%) were used by considerable number of undergraduates as coping strategies. There were statistical significant differences among coping strategies with regard to gender, year of study, faculty and degree programme. Our findings suggested that the majority of healthcare undergraduates in University of Ruhuna were affected by stress. The present study revealed that most of students used positive stress management strategies while some students used maladaptive coping strategies. The results provided valuable information for academics in healthcare undergraduate programmes and university administrators in supporting students with stress.