Abstract
Objective: This study aims to determine if there is a difference in the perceived stress levels of medical and law students in Mansoura University, Egypt.
Method: This is a comparative study between medical and law students, conducted during October and December 2007 G. The sample consisted of 283 medical and 277 law students, selected through the cluster sampling method. The self-reported questionnaire covered four categories including 15 items of sources of stress. Perceived stress scale and Hospital anxiety and depression scale were used to measure stress, anxiety and depression.
Results: Law students were more likely to cite personal, environmental and relationship categories as stressors. The top five items of stressors in medical students identified in this study were troubles with the instructors, excessive workload, problems with coursemates, close contact with serious illness and personal injury or illness. The high level of perceived stress was reported by 20.1% and 41.2% of medical and law students, respectively. The other independent predictors of stress among students were anxiety, depression and number of stressors.
Conclusions: Stressors and stress are frequent among medical and law students. Counseling and preventive mental health services should be an integral part of the routine clinical facilities caring for university students.