Stress profile and university performance of pharmacy students

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine the stress profile and university performance of pharmacy students. The study was necessary since high academic expectations among pharmacy students can expose them to stressful conditions. In return, stress can affect their level of performance. A quantitative approach was used to meet the objective of the study. A survey questionnaire was electronically administered to the study participants (n=591) to collect socio-demographic data, the student’s overall academic cumulative GPA, and stress indicators. The collected data was analysed quantitatively through the use of SPSS, more so using descriptive statistics and correlation tests. The study first examined the relationship between academic performance and stress and found no correlation between these two variables. The relationship between age and academic stress was also examined, and no correlation was evident. In addition, the year of study was compared to academic stress, and a significant relationship was found to exist between the two variables. Additionally, the year of study was also found to affect cognitive as well as social and interpersonal scores. The findings of the study, therefore, demonstrated the existence of no correlation between academic performance, stress, and age. These findings were unexpected, considering the general assumption that many pharmacy students experience elevated levels of stress compared to their counterparts pursuing less intensive courses. In sum, only the year of study was found to contribute to perceived stress among pharmacy students. Since academic factors are directly under the control of learning institutions, it is key that the management puts in place measures to minimize the resulting stress.