Stress and Coping Strategies among Medical Students in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Studies conducted worldwide have found that medical students have higher levels of stress than students in other fields. Chronic stress can result in increased rates of fatigue, depression, and impairment in function. Although this phenomenon has been studied globally, there has been limited attention in our region. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess stress levels in medical students in Dubai and evaluate their coping strategies to highlight the importance of shedding light on the psychological well-being of this population. A cross-sectional design was utilized for this study. The target population consisted of all medical students enrolled at a local university for the 2020-2021 academic year. The participants completed a survey that collected information on stress and coping strategies. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Brief COPE inventory were utilized to gather the data. The total of 97 individuals completed the study questionnaire. The rates of high stress levels according to the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were higher among medical students in the first to the third year (43.6%), when compared to medical students in the fourth and fifth years (7.7%). Results of the Brief COPE inventory indicated that the average score for a Problem Focused coping style among medical students fell in the medium to high range (22 out of 32). Levels of stress are elevated among medical students. Coping responses reflect the individual’s psychological adjustment and well-being. Our study sample revealed a medium to high rate of engagement in healthy coping strategies. Future research that evaluates the psychological impact of stress in-depth and explores effective strategies to enhance coping is highly warranted.