Dimensions of Stress in Junior Medical Students

Correlations of responses to a 31-item stress scale were factor analysed to determine areas of stress for 169 junior medical students. Factors describe Overwork, Learning, Future Concerns, Pressure from Self, Pressure from Others, Outside Pressures, and Interpersonal stresses rated in that order of magnitude. Most of the stresses diminished significantly after three months, except for Overwork which increased. Since this type of pressure is representative of demands which will be encountered in future practice, the junior year seems an appropriate time to help students learn to cope more effectively with pressures related to time constraints.