Mindfulness, Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies during COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkish Dentistry Students

Year 2022, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 732 - 742, 29.09.2022

Sinem Yıldırım Emine Kaya

https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1065806

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between perceived stress, mindfulness and coping strategies of undergraduate dental students during the COVID-19.
Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 128 undergraduate dental students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. Students completed surveys including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory (COPE). Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U-test, Analysis of Variance, Student’s t-test, Kruskal Wallis test and Spearman correlation.
Results: A negative association was found between the MAAS and PSS according to the Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rs =-0.823, p<0.001). There were positive relationships between MAAS and COPE inventory subscales of positive reinterpretation and growth (rs = 0.385, p < 0.001); use of instrumental social support (rs = 0.233, p = 0.008); active coping (rs = 0.384, p < 0.001); use of emotional social support (rs = 0.208, p = 0.018); planning (rs = 0.244, p = 0.005). There were negative relationships between MAAS and COPE inventory subscales of behavioral disengagement (rs =-0.245, p = 0.005); alcohol-drug use (rs =-0.233, p = 0.008).
Conclusions: Dental students with a high level of mindfulness had a low level of perceived stress. The findings may guide the mindfulness-based stress reduction programs or stress awareness lectures development and implementation within the academic curriculum.

Keywords

COVID-19, dental undergraduate students, mindfulness, perceived stress, coping strategies

References

• 1. Piazza-Waggoner CA, Cohen LL, Kohli K, Taylor BK. Stress management for dental students performing their first pediatric restorative procedure. J Dent Educ. 2003;67(5):542-8.
• 2. Alzahem AM, van der Molen HT, Alaujan AH, Schmidt HG, Zamakhshary MH. Stress amongst dental students: a systematic review. Eur J Dent Educ. 2011;15(1):8-18.
• 3. Elani HW, Allison PJ, Kumar RA, Mancini L, Lambrou A, Bedos C. A systematic review of stress in dental students. J Dent Educ. 2014;78(2):226-42.
• 4. Rosli TI, Abdul Rahman R, Abdul Rahman SR, Ramli R. A survey of perceived stress among undergraduate dental students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Singapore Dent J. 2005;27(1):17-22.
• 5. Loch C, Kuan IBJ, Elsalem L, Schwass D, Brunton PA, Jum'ah A. COVID-19 and dental clinical practice: Students and clinical staff perceptions of health risks and educational impact. J Dent Educ. 2021;85(1):44-52.
• 6. Hakami Z, Khanagar SB, Vishwanathaiah S, Hakami A, Bokhari AM, Jabali AH, et al. Psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental students: A nationwide study. J Dent Educ. 2020.
• 7. Agius AM, Gatt G, Vento Zahra E, Busuttil A, Gainza-Cirauqui ML, Cortes ARG, et al. Self-reported dental student stressors and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Dent Educ. 2021;85(2):208-15.
• 8. Al-Saleh SA, Al-Madi EM, Al-Angari NS, Al-Shehri HA, Shukri MM. Survey of perceived stress-inducing problems among dental students, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Dent J. 2010;22(2):83-8.
• 9. Gorter R, Freeman R, Hammen S, Murtomaa H, Blinkhorn A, Humphris G. Psychological stress and health in undergraduate dental students: fifth year outcomes compared with first year baseline results from five European dental schools. Eur J Dent Educ. 2008;12(2):61-8.
• 10. Silverstein ST, Kritz-Silverstein D. A longitudinal study of stress in first-year dental students. J Dent Educ. 2010;74(8):836-48.