The Correlation between Stress Levels among Undergraduate Medical Students and Their Motivation for Studying Medicine

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between undergraduate medical students’ motivations to study medicine and their stress levels in Saudi Arabia. This relationship has not previously been investigated in depth but is urgently required to help improve the academic performance of such students and protect them from academic burnout. Method. A questionnaire was created and shared on the official social media platforms of the Faculty of Medicine, Umm Alqura University, Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. A total of 572 students currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in medicine were recruited. Cross tabulation to determine the distribution of students’ stress levels in relation to their personal data and motivation to study medicine was conducted, using a Pearson chi-square test to assess significance. Results. A significant ( $P=0.049$ ) relationship between two types of motivation among undergraduate medical students and their levels of stress was found. Students driven by intrinsic motivation had lower levels of stress than their colleagues and counterparts, whereas extrinsic motivation resulted in increased levels of stress. Furthermore, older female students and those in the advanced stages of their studies (years 4 and 5) were more likely to be stressed. Conclusion. Stress levels among undergraduate medical students were found to correlate with their motivation to study medicine. Intrinsic motivation needs to be promoted, which would help students view their accomplishments more positively and help protect them from burnout.