Abstract

MISRACHI-LAUNERT, Clara et al. Perceived sources of stress and academic performance of Chilean dental students. FEM (Ed. impresa) [online]. 2015, vol.18, n.2, pp.109-116. ISSN 2014-9840.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S2014-98322015000200006.

Aim. To assess the influence of perceived sources of stress amongst University of Chile dental students on their academic performance. Subjects and methods. In this research was used a modified Dental Environment Stress Questionnaire (DESQ) consisting of 25 questions was applied to 60% of students of each year. Tests were applied to compare perceived sources of stress between courses. The Pearson r test was used to determine the influence of stress sources on academic performance. Results. A sample of 302 students answered the questionnaire. In results, the main sources of stress in all courses were grades and examinations, fear of failing a course or a year and lack of time to relax. An important stressor for higher courses was the negative atmosphere created by clinical supervisors. Workload showed a negative correlation with academic performance, and preclinical and clinical training showed a positive correlation. Conclusions. The fourth year seems being the most stressful. Earlier contact with patients and an improvement in curriculum planning and administration should be put in practice to avoid the increased stress of the clinical training.

Keywords : Academic performance; Academic stress; Dental students.

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