Stress Levels and Stressors of Veterinary Students in Indonesia

Abstract

Despite the growing collection of scientific publications on student stress levels, stress experienced by veterinary students in Indonesia has been less investigated. This study assessed the stress levels of veterinary students and investigated the stressors faced by veterinary students in Indonesia, both in undergraduate and professional programs. The study participants were 165 veterinary students from all universities offering veterinary medicine in Indonesia. The Perceived Stress Scale was used to evaluate stress levels, and the modified Veterinary Medical Stressor Inventory was used to indicate several stressors in this study, including academic performance, clinical graduation, negative evaluation, and online classes experienced by veterinary students. The findings show that most veterinary students in Indonesia experienced moderate stress levels. Results also found that female students experienced higher levels of stress than their male counterparts. The multiple regression result shows that stressors belonging to the academic group were the most significant, primarily in undergraduate students. Aside from academics, the rigorous veterinary medicine curriculum, loneliness, and peer competition are the major potential stressors.