Analysis of medical students mental stress state of self-perception and influencing factors

Objective The research concerning stress status of medical students and its influencing factors provides a data support for pressure relief and for the promotion in physical and mental health of medical students as well as medical school management. Methods A self-designed questionnaire was used for the research, involving a total of 498 graduate and undergraduate students of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and its affiliated teaching hospital, the content of which includes basic demographic information, pressure feelings and their influencing factors both subjectively (ability and habit) and objectively. Besides, 10 graduate students and 20 undergraduates were interviewed by means of focus group interview. Results Demographic basic information and stress perception have no statistical significance. The stress perception is related to the individual ability of subjective factors and to all the objective factors. The backward regression method was used to analyze the stress sensitivity and the stress. The highest β coefficient absolute value is learning adaptability (0.383), followed by time management ability (0.137), course setup (0.107), course duration schedule (0.100) and length of sleep (0.097). The interview results show that the stress comes along with study and scientific research as well as interpersonal relationships. A number of senior students advocate the cultivation of humanistic quality. Conclusion The promotion of mental health among medical students and the quality of education by medical school should be a joint effort of 3 aspects:effective help and instructions provided by school, nurturing atmosphere created by family members, good habits and abilities developed by students themselves.