Stress and associated socioeconomic factors in dental students

Abstract

Upon entering the higher education environment, a new concept of living emerges and students begin to experience responsibilities and commitments that they did not previously have. This change in routine can generate feelings of anxiety and stress, which exert an influence on one’s academic performance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of stress and associated socioeconomic factors among dental students. An observational, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted with dental students at a private higher education institution (n = 135), who answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics and Lipp’s Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and associations were investigated using the chi-squared test. Students in the tenth semester predominated in the sample (29.63%) and mean age was 23.03 ± 3.50 years. The majority was female (68.15%), single (88.89%), without children (90.37%), and exhibited stress (62.22%). Most of those with stress were in the resistance phase (86.90%). Moreover, 48.81% had psychological symptoms. Stress was significantly greater among women (50.37%; χ² = 16.79; p = 0.000) and students who were paying the cost of their studies through the financing modality (34.81%; χ² = 8.22; p = 0.042). In conclusion, stress, especially the resistance phase, was found among the dental students analyzed. The female sex and the financing modality of covering the cost of studies were the socioeconomic variables associated with this condition.