Journal of Psychology & Behavioral Science

Associations between Lifestyle Behaviors and Stress Related Symptoms in Senior Medical Students of the University of Osijek, Eastern Croatia
Majnarić Trtica Ljiljana, MD, GP, PhD; Zvonimir Bosnić, MD, PhD Candidate; Grdić Ivana MD, GP; Volarić Mile, MD, MS, PhD Candidate

Abstract
The study aimed to determine behavioral responses (symptoms) to chronic stress of senior medical students induced by academic demands and to identify learning and lifestyle behaviors associated with these symptoms. The study included 116 students of the two last university years (5thand 6th) of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Osijek, eastern Croatia. A newly formed 31-item questionnaire was used for this purpose. A large majority of students (95.7%) had at least one symptom and 62% had 3 or more, out of the maximum 6 symptoms examined. Symptoms showed a tendency for grouping in a graded manner. Participant students were divided into two groups according to the lower or higher levels of the symptom complexity expression (<3 vs ≥3 symptoms) and differences in their learning and lifestyle behaviors were assessed accordingly. Lifestyle behaviors which showed significant differences indicate low physical activity, lack of extracurricural activities, disrupted sleep schedule and variations in body weight in the exam period. Study results are expected to inform future studies and prevention of mental and global health decline in senior medical students.

Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jpbs.v6n1a8