Estimation of stress resistance of medical students in Lviv, Ukraine

Abstract

High demands for speed and amount of students’ trainings in health care education are among the stress causes. Presence of stress can negatively affect the state of progress and level of physical health of medical students. We have tested 275 students of II-IV years of the medical faculty (145 women, 130 men) using methods of Friedman and Rosenman modifications «tendency to stress» and «self-rating of stress resistance». Test results revealed: 34% of women and 29% of men showed below average level self-rating of stress resistance, including the group tendency to stressful situations. Average level was characterized for 39% of women and 27% of men. This indicates the sufficient resistance to stress and rejection as failure stress. Higher average level of stress resistance was observed for 15% of women and 26% of men. These students, despite the negative influence of different factors, fight stress and try to prevent it. High aptitude was recorded for 11% of women and 7% of men. Relatively high frequency of getting into stress was inherent for 25% of women and 21% of men. Presence of stress and attempts to avoid it were found for 29% of women and 40% of men. For 22% of women and 26% of men was found the ability to resist stress due to communicability and harmonic lifestyles. High level of self-regulation, the ability to achieve goals as the result of low aptitude to stress was inherent for 10% of women and 7% of men. Reducing adaptation to stress among medical students was registered. Formation of skills for stress resistance by implementation of health-saving technologies in student lifestyle is necessary.