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Exploring the Gender Difference and Predictors of Perceived Stress among Students Enrolled in Different Medical Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

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  • Carmenrita Infortuna

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Policlinico Universitario, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
    These authors contributed equally.)

  • Francesco Gratteri

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Policlinico Universitario, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
    These authors contributed equally.)

  • Andrew Benotakeia

    (Department of Medical Sciences and Neurology, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA)

  • Sapan Patel

    (Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY 10035, USA)

  • Alex Fleischman

    (Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY 10035, USA)

  • Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Policlinico Universitario, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy)

  • Antonio Bruno

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Policlinico Universitario, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy)

  • Rocco Antonio Zoccali

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Policlinico Universitario, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy)

  • Eileen Chusid

    (Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY 10035, USA)

  • Zhiyong Han

    (Department of Medical Sciences and Neurology, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA)

  • Fortunato Battaglia

    (Department of Medical Sciences and Neurology, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA)

Abstract

Female medical students seem to experience higher level of perceived stress. Moreover, there is a lack of research examining perceived stress in students enrolled in different medical programs. We analyzed the association between temperament traits, optimism, self-esteem, and perceived stress of students pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and students pursuing a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. A cross-sectional study was conducted of two cohorts: allopathic medical students (N = 154) and the podiatric medical students (N = 150). Students anonymously completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Auto Questionnaire (TEMPS-A), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Life Orientation Test—Revised (LOT-R). We analyzed differences in the two cohort of students and predictors of perceived stress. There were no differences in the overall perception of stress between both cohorts (allopathic medical students: 18.83 ± 0.56; podiatric medical students: 19.3 ± 0.72; p = 0.4419). Women reported higher perceived stress in both programs (allopathic medical students: p = 0.0.038; podiatric medical students: p = 0.0.038). In both allopathic and podiatric medical students, the cyclothymic temperaments and anxious traits were positive predictors while hyperthymic temperaments and optimism traits were negative predictors of perceived stress. The level of perceived stress experienced by students pursuing different doctoral degrees in healthcare is similar. Regardless of the curriculum differences, female students experience higher perceived stress and there is evidence for similarities in predictors amongst allopathic and podiatric medical students.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmenrita Infortuna & Francesco Gratteri & Andrew Benotakeia & Sapan Patel & Alex Fleischman & Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello & Antonio Bruno & Rocco Antonio Zoccali & Eileen Chusid & Zhiyong Han & Fo, 2020. "Exploring the Gender Difference and Predictors of Perceived Stress among Students Enrolled in Different Medical Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-8, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6647-:d:412499
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Travis Tian-Ci Quek & Wilson Wai-San Tam & Bach X. Tran & Min Zhang & Zhisong Zhang & Cyrus Su-Hui Ho & Roger Chun-Man Ho, 2019. "The Global Prevalence of Anxiety Among Medical Students: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Carmenrita Infortuna & Steven Silvestro & Keith Crenshaw & Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello & Antonio Bruno & Rocco Antonio Zoccali & Eileen Chusid & Jordan Intrator & Zhiyong Han & Fortunato Battaglia, 2020. "Affective Temperament Traits and Age-Predicted Recreational Cannabis Use in Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-7, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Carmenrita Infortuna & Fortunato Battaglia & David Freedberg & Carmela Mento & Fiammetta Iannuzzo & Rosa De Stefano & Clara Lombardo & Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello & Antonio Bruno, 2022. "Emotional Temperament and Character Dimensions and State Anger as Predictors of Preference for Rap Music in Italian Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-7, October.
    2. Barnabás Oláh & Bence Márk Rádi & Karolina Kósa, 2022. "Barriers to Seeking Mental Help and Interventions to Remove Them in Medical School during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Antimo Natale & Carmen Concerto & Alessandro Rodolico & Andrea Birgillito & Marina Bonelli & Miriam Martinez & Maria Salvina Signorelli & Antonino Petralia & Carmenrita Infortuna & Fortunato Battaglia, 2022. "Risk Perception among Psychiatric Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Carmen Concerto & Alessandro Rodolico & Alessia Ciancio & Christian Messina & Antimo Natale & Ludovico Mineo & Fortunato Battaglia & Eugenio Aguglia, 2021. "Vitamin D and Depressive Symptoms in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-21, December.
    5. Agnė Brazienė & Jonė Venclovienė & Vidmantas Vaičiulis & Dalia Lukšienė & Abdonas Tamošiūnas & Irena Milvidaitė & Ričardas Radišauskas & Martin Bobak, 2022. "Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Weather Conditions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    6. Carmen Concerto & Alessandro Rodolico & Valentina Lucia La Rosa & Barbara Aiello & Miriam Martinez & Sebastiano Stuto & Carmenrita Infortuna & Laura Fusar-Poli & Maria Salvina Signorelli & Elena Commo, 2022. "Flourishing or Languishing? Predictors of Positive Mental Health in Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-11, November.

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