Life Satisfaction and Perceived Stress versus Health Promoting Behavior among Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate health-promoting behaviors as a factor supporting life satisfaction and a protective factor against stress in a group of Polish medical students during the third wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Material: The study was conducted in October–December 2021. There were 306 people, including 203 students in the 1st year of medicine, aged 20.42 ± 1.92 years, and 103 students in the 5th year of medicine, aged 24.88 ± 1.7 years. Methods: The following were used: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Health Behavior Inventory (IZZ), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The survey was conducted online. Results: In the study group, the average result of 23.66 ± 5.97 was obtained in the life satisfaction questionnaire. In the overall assessment of health behaviors (IZZ), an average score of 80.06 ± 13.81 points was obtained. In the PSS-10 questionnaire, the respondents obtained an average of 21.10 ± 5.89 points. There were significant, negative correlations between the results obtained in the health behavior inventory with the results obtained in the stress scale and positive correlations with the results obtained in the life satisfaction scale. Moreover, in the assessment of the influence of prohealth behavior parameters on perceived stress and life satisfaction, a positive effect of PMA on life satisfaction was demonstrated, as well as a protective effect of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) and Prohealth Activities (PhA) in relation to stress. Conclusions: Life in the period of the third wave of the pandemic was assessed by medical students as moderately satisfactory. Significant intensity of stress negatively correlated with life satisfaction. Health-promoting behaviors, and especially positive mental attitudes, seem to play a protective role in stressful situations and improve life satisfaction.