Assessment of stress and coping mechanisms in the 1st year MBBS students from English and Vernacular medium – An experience from a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences

Background: The stress levels among the 1st year MBBS students are high due to multiple factors. In this setting, an objective assessment of stress and coping strategies among medical students may provide a foundation to adopting specific measures to help them. 

Aims and Objectives: The specific objectives of the study were to compare stress levels and coping strategies among medical students from different backgrounds and mediums of instructions and to ategorize the stress level of students depending on Class X, XII marks, number of attempts, and annual family income.

Materials and Methods: Forty-eight 1st year MBBS students were recruited for the study. Participants were divided into two groups, that is, Group 1 – English medium schools and Group 2 – Hindi medium schools and informed consent was taken. In a preferable time slot, the participants were given two questionnaires (Zung’s SDS and Way of Coping Revised scale) and a table of personal information to fill. 

Results: There were significantly higher stress scores among English medium students as compared to vernacular medium. There was no correlation between Class 10th and 12th marks with the stress. Proportion of students having high stress had AFI <1 lakh and proportion having low stress had AFI more than 5 lakh. Students having more than 3 attempts in medical qualifying examination had the least stress scores. 

Conclusion: Stress among medical students was found to more in students from English medium schools due to the urban background of these students. High family income acts a psychological security for the students, hence the low stress among them. Students with more than 3 attempts in qualifying examination were more mature, hence the low stress score among them.