Stress and Burnout in Postgraduate Physiotherapy Students: A Mixed Methods Observational Cohort Study

Abstract Background and Purpose: The impact of stress and burnout in students is an emerging topic. When students perceive that they are unable to cope with stressors, there is increased potential for burnout. To maximise students’ higher educational institution (HEI) outcomes, students must be able to effectively cope with stressful demands. Research suggests physiotherapy students, in particular, suffer from a high risk of stress and burnout, however limited research exists on postgraduate, pre-registration, physiotherapy students. The purpose of this study was to determine perceived stress, burnout and associated coping strategies across three time points in the first year of a post-graduate, pre-registration physiotherapy program. Subjects: All first year Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPHTY) students at Bond University 2019 were invited to participate. Methods: A mixed methods observational cohort design was implemented in one Australian HEI to determine stress, burnout and coping strategies across 3 time points. The 51-item self-administered questionnaire consisted of demographics, the Coping Self Efficacy (CSE) Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey for Students (MBI-GS (S)), and open-ended questions.Results: A response rate of 62% (n=38) was achieved. There were no differences in stress and burnout scores between sexes, nor differences in stress and burnout over time. Highest median CSE scores were seen at T1, with highest median MBI-GS (S) cynicism (CYN) scores at T2, exhaustion (EX) at T1 and T2, and professional efficacy (PE) at T1 and T2. The greatest mean CSE changes were seen from T1-T2 and T1-T3, and PE greatest changes from T2-T3 and T1-T3. No strong correlation was found between stress and burnout. Curriculum coursework was a frequently reported stressor, along with clinical placement and transition periods. Coping strategies utilized by students were both positive and maladaptive. Positive strategies included sporting activities, baking, listening to music, and social connections, whereas maladaptive strategies included alcohol consumption, excessive eating and gaming. Conclusion: Student consistently identified periods of stress and burnout, with curriculum coursework in particular being a trigger. Findings acknowledge the need for further investigation on sources of perceived stress, burnout and coping mechanisms to optimise student welfare and enhance HEI outcomes.

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Stress and burnout: exploring postgraduate physiotherapy students’ experiences and coping strategies

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-020-02360-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tess Brooke ◽

Makaela Brown ◽

Robin Orr ◽

Suzanne Gough

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Education Institution ◽

First Year ◽

Higher Education Institution ◽

T1 And T2 ◽

And Coping ◽

Physiotherapy Students

Abstract Background and purpose The impact of stress and burnout in students is an emerging topic. When students perceive that they are unable to cope with stressors, there is increased potential for burnout. To maximise students’ higher educational institution outcomes, students must be able to effectively cope with stressful demands. Research suggests physiotherapy students, in particular, suffer from a high risk of stress and burnout, however limited research exists on postgraduate, pre-registration, physiotherapy students. The purpose of this study was to determine perceived stress, burnout and associated coping strategies across three timepoints in the first year of a postgraduate, pre-registration physiotherapy program. Methods A qualitative and quantitative survey design was utilised at one Australian Higher Education Institution. The 51-item self-administered questionnaire consisted of demographics, the Coping Self Efficacy (CSE) Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey for Students (MBI-GS (S)), and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was administered at three timepoints (T) in the program: T1 at the start of semester 1, T2 before the first placement in semester 2 and T3 after 10-weeks of placement. Data were analysed using descriptive, statistical and thematical analysis. Subjects All first year Doctor of Physiotherapy students. Results A response rate of 62% (n = 38) was achieved. There were no differences in stress and burnout scores between sexes, nor differences in stress and burnout over time. Highest median CSE scores were seen at T1, with highest median MBI-GS (S) cynicism scores at T2, exhaustion (EX) at T1 and T2, and professional efficacy at T1 and T2. The greatest mean CSE changes were seen from T1-T2 and T1–3, and PE greatest changes from T2-T3 and T1-T3. No strong correlation was found between stress and burnout. Curriculum coursework was a frequently reported stressor, along with clinical placement and transition periods. Coping strategies utilized by students were both positive and maladaptive. Positive strategies included sporting activities, baking, listening to music, and social connections, whereas maladaptive strategies included alcohol consumption, excessive eating, and gaming. Conclusion Student consistently identified periods of stress and burnout, with curriculum coursework in particular being a trigger. Findings acknowledge the need for further investigation on sources of perceived stress, burnout, and coping mechanisms to optimise student welfare and enhance Higher Education Institution outcomes.

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Stress and burnout: Exploring postgraduate physiotherapy students’ experiences and coping strategies.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-45685/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tess Brooke ◽

Makaela Brown ◽

Robin Orr ◽

Suzanne Gough

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Education Institution ◽

First Year ◽

Higher Education Institution ◽

T1 And T2 ◽

And Coping ◽

Physiotherapy Students

Abstract Background and Purpose: The impact of stress and burnout in students is an emerging topic. When students perceive that they are unable to cope with stressors, there is increased potential for burnout. To maximise students’ higher educational institution outcomes, students must be able to effectively cope with stressful demands. Research suggests physiotherapy students, in particular, suffer from a high risk of stress and burnout, however limited research exists on postgraduate, pre-registration, physiotherapy students. The purpose of this study was to determine perceived stress, burnout and associated coping strategies across three timepoints in the first year of a postgraduate, pre-registration physiotherapy program. Methods: A qualitative and quantitative survey design was utilised at one Australian Higher Education Institution. The 51-item self-administered questionnaire consisted of demographics, the Coping Self Efficacy (CSE) Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey for Students (MBI-GS (S)), and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was administered at three timepoints (T) in the program: T1 at the start of semester 1, T2 before the first placement in semester 2 and T3 after 10-weeks of placement. Data were analysed using descriptive, statistical and thematical analysis. Subjects: All first year Doctor of Physiotherapy students.Results: A response rate of 62% (n=38) was achieved. There were no differences in stress and burnout scores between sexes, nor differences in stress and burnout over time. Highest median CSE scores were seen at T1, with highest median MBI-GS (S) cynicism scores at T2, exhaustion (EX) at T1 and T2, and professional efficacy at T1 and T2. The greatest mean CSE changes were seen from T1-T2 and T1-3, and PE greatest changes from T2-T3 and T1-T3. No strong correlation was found between stress and burnout. Curriculum coursework was a frequently reported stressor, along with clinical placement and transition periods. Coping strategies utilized by students were both positive and maladaptive. Positive strategies included sporting activities, baking, listening to music, and social connections, whereas maladaptive strategies included alcohol consumption, excessive eating, and gaming. Conclusion: Student consistently identified periods of stress and burnout, with curriculum coursework in particular being a trigger. Findings acknowledge the need for further investigation on sources of perceived stress, burnout, and coping mechanisms to optimise student welfare and enhance Higher Education Institution outcomes.

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Stress, Burnout, and Coping among First-Year Medical Undergraduates

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1727576 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Naresh Nebhinani ◽

Pooja Patnaik Kuppili ◽

Keyword(s):

Perceived Stress ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Active Coping ◽

First Year ◽

Stress Coping ◽

Moderate Degree ◽

Student Survey ◽

Brief Cope ◽

Medical Undergraduates ◽

And Coping

Abstract Background and Objectives Stress, burnout, and coping have been found to be interlinked with each other. Several adverse psychological outcomes have been associated with stress and burnout. Improving coping can decrease the stress and burnout. There is limited literature on perceived stress, coping, and burnout among first-year medical undergraduates from India. With this background, the study aimed to assess perceived stress, coping, and burnout among first-year medical undergraduates. Methods It was a cross-sectional study assessing 100 undergraduates studying in the first year of medical school. Medical Students Stressor Questionnaire, Brief COPE questionnaire, and Maslach burnout inventory–student survey were applied for assessment of perceived stress, burnout, and coping, respectively. Socio-demographic profile was assessed by a semi-structured proforma. Results Majority of students reported facing moderate level of stress in most of the domains, with stress being the highest for the academic aspects and least for social-related and drive- and desire-related areas. The stress was significantly greater in female students. Burnout was identified in 62% students by two-dimensional criteria and 30% by three-dimensional criteria. Among the coping strategies, active coping was most commonly used and substance use was less commonly used. No differences were found in coping between males and females except for active coping, which was significantly better in females. Conclusion The stress was of moderate degree in majority of students and academic stress was the most common stress. Burnout was present in at least one-third of the students. However, majority of the students practiced active coping.

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A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS DURING PRE AND POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN.

10.36106/ijsr/2903859 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 31-32

Author(s):

Neha Farheen Mushtaq ◽

Shiva Kumar B K. ◽

Vinay HR. ◽

Bramaramba D Honnugudi

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

T Test ◽

P Value ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Perceived Stress Scale ◽

Stress Scale ◽

The Mean ◽

And Coping

Background: Medical students are facing huge challenge due to COVID-19 pandemic which has impacted their learning and has become vital stressor and affecting their psychological well-being. The objective of this study was to assess the perception of the stress among the undergraduate medical students and their coping strategies pre and post lockdown. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 321 undergraduate medical students at Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India. This study was initiated after getting approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee. After obtaining consent the extent of the students stress was assessed using Perceived Stress Scale and Brief COPE was used to assess their coping strategies. Scores were analysed using paired t test in Microsoft excel/ SPSS software. Results: On paired 't' t test the mean difference in total score was 0.68 and the p value was 0.166 for scores of perceived stress scale, similarly the mean difference in scores of sub groups under coping strategies was 0.90 and 0.49 with 'p' value 0.173 and 0.498 respectively. Conclusion: Overall, there was not much of difference in scores of perceived stress scale and coping strategies before and after lockdown. Except for minor difference across age group and scores of specic coping strategies which was again not statistically signicant.

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The impact of confinement in the psychosocial behaviour due COVID-19 among members of a Brazilian university

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764020971318 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 002076402097131

Author(s):

Heloísa Monteiro Amaral-Prado ◽

Filipy Borghi ◽

Tânia Maron Vichi Freire Mello ◽

Dora Maria Grassi-Kassisse

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Graduate Students ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

University Environment ◽

Final Exams ◽

And Coping ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

Background: The current situation due COVID-19 may cause an eminent impact on mental health because the confinement restrictions. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare perceived stress, resilience, depression symptoms and coping strategies on the members of University of Campinas, in Brazil, before and during the outbreak of the COVID-19. Methods: Volunteers over 18 years of both sexes, members of the University of Campinas (Unicamp) in Brazil answered instruments related to perceived stress, depression, resilience and coping strategies during final exams at the end of semester during 2018 to 2020. Results: We obtained 1,135 responses (893 before COVID-19 and 242 during COVID-19). The volunteers did not show significant differences for perceived stress, depressive signs and resilience before and during the pandemic. In both periods, men exhibited lower scores for perceived stress and depression and higher scores for resilience when compared to women. Undergraduate and graduate students exhibited higher perceived stress scores, more pronounced depressive signs and lower resilience, and employees and professors presented lower scores for perceived stress, depressive signs and greater resilience. Conclusions: These first months of confinement did not directly affect the scores of perceived stress, depression and resilience, however, each subgroup adapted to the new routine by changing the coping strategy used. This study suggests the importance of monitoring the mental health of member in the university, especially in times of epidemic, in the search for policies that aim to improve the resilience of the population and seek positive and effective coping strategies within the university environment.

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