[Evaluation of stress level and related factors among students of mashhad dental school [Iran] in academic year of 2008-2009]

ABSTRACT

Dental students are exposed to clinical environmental stresses in addition to educational environmental stresses. If psychological stressors become chronic and/or remain untreated, they result in psychological and physical symptoms. There are few studies about stress and dental students in our country. The aim of this study was to assess stress level and related factors sorted according to the academic year and gender, among dental students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during 2008-2009.This study was a description-analytical and cross-sectional study. In this research two questionnaires were used concurrently and the information obtained was analyzed by the SPSS software. 52% of students showed abnormal levels of stress. Students of fourth academic year showed the highest level of stress. Stress levels in two genders were not significantly different. It was also characterized that university stressors played a more significant role in stress level than non-university stressors. Based on the results of this study, and the findings of, high levels of stress among dental students as well as the harmfulness of high levels of stress, greater attentions must be given to this issue by the uthorities. Furthermore, the forth year students who have recently entered the clinic, are in the greatest need of help