RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Emotional responses and coping strategies of medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 61
OP 66
DO 10.15537/smj.2022.43.1.20210698
VO 43
IS 1
A1 Sayyada Ifrah Naaz
A1 Rana M. Hussein
A1 Hiba B. Khan
A1 Mohamed M. Hussein
A1 Shoukat A. Arain
YR 2022
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/43/1/61.abstract
AB Objectives: To assess the emotional responses and coping strategies of medical students during the lockdown and social distancing measures implemented during the coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods: This cross‑sectional study is based on data collected from undergraduate medical students at the College of Medicine, Alfaisal University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the fall semester of academic year 2020-2021. All the participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire consisting of 3 parts: demographic information, emotional response scale, and 14-item, adapted brief coping orientation to problems experienced inventory to determine the use of avoidant or approach coping strategies. Coping and emotional response scores were compared using t-test. Linear regression analysis was also performed.Results: A total of 261 students from all years were included. Overall scores were higher for avoidant coping strategies. The use of avoidant coping strategies was significantly higher in females (p=0.03) and in preclinical students (p<0.001). Preclinical students had a higher mean score for anger (p=0.002). Conversely, students in the clinical phase had higher scores for anxiety (p=0.005) and sadness (p=0.027). The regression analysis of emotional responses and coping strategies suggests that avoidant coping is a predictor of anger (p=0.003) and sadness (p=0.005).Conclusion: Interventions to train medical students in the use of more productive and effective coping strategies may reduce negative emotional responses linked to the present COVID-19 pandemic and in the future.