Evaluation of Academic-Related Stress and Its Determinants among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire

Dr. Ramesh Kumar Kannojiya, Dr. Dwividendra Kumar Nim, Dr. Abhinandan Kumar

Abstract: Background: Medical education is inherently demanding and is associated with multiple academic and psychosocial stressors. Excessive stress might adversely affect learning ability, academic performance, and psychological well-being of medical students. Objectives: To identify the major stressors and assess intensity of stress perceived by medical students using the Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ). Materials and Methods: Medical students in their second and 3rd years participated in this analytical cross-sectional study. Stress. levels were assessed using the validated 20-item MSSQ, covering six stressor domains. A five-point Likert scale, that range from no stress to severe stress, has been used to evaluate responses. Descriptive statistics have been used to analyze the data. Results: Academic-related stressors (ARS) have been most prominent contributors to stress. High stress was reported by 30.3% of students, while 8.9% experienced severe stress due to academic factors. Heavy workload and large volume of content to be learned emerged as leading causes of severe stress. Interpersonal-related stressors predominantly cause mild stress. Conclusion: ARS contribute significantly to high and severe stress between medical students, highlighting the need for early identification and implementation of stress-reducing strategies within the medical curriculum.

Keywords: Academic stress, Medical students, MSSQ, Stressors, Medical education

How to Cite?: Dr. Ramesh Kumar Kannojiya, Dr. Dwividendra Kumar Nim, Dr. Abhinandan Kumar, "Evaluation of Academic-Related Stress and Its Determinants among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1247-1251, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26120123129, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26120123129