Ivana Rodríguez; Gabriel M. Fonseca & Guillermo Aramburú
Summary
Stress is a state of instability and emotional anguish that complicates the ability to focus and function effectively on a routine basis. In educational science, it is called academic stress encompassing three dimensions: stressors, general health reactions, and stress regulators. Several studies have indicated that health career students may be exposed to higher stress levels than the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the selfperceived academic stress in freshmen students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (Cordoba, Argentina). A descriptive study was carried out, where the sample consisted of 291 students. The information was collected through the self-administered questionnaire Sisco Inventory of Academic Stress (Barraza Macias, 2007). Data analysis was carried out using specific scales, and for the association between variables, Pearson and Anova tests were used, setting the level of a statistical significance at p<0.05. A significant majority of the students (98.3 %) presented academic stress, with 88.81 % of participants leaning towards the highest intensity categories of stress. A very significant correlation was identified between the Stressors and Reactions dimensions (p<0.001) and between Stressors and Strategies (p=0.034). The identification of academic stress, its characterization and prevention of potential habits or use of medication often considered unhealthy, will promote the development of strategies for students, in order to better face situations encountered in the new environment.
KEY WORDS: self-perceived stress, dental students, stressor, coping mechanisms.
How to cite this article
RODRÍGUEZ, I.; FONSECA, G. M. & ARAMBURÚ, G. Academic stress of freshmen students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Argentina). Int. J. Odontostomat. 14(4):639-647, 2020.