Examing stress and coping among students in health profession programs: An HBCU experience

Issues: High levels of unmanaged stress compromise the academic achievement and professional integrity of students in health profession programs (HPs). Few studies have examined the stress experience of health profession students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Description: HP students (MD, MPH, MS, PhD) attending a small private HBCU in a large southeastern city were recruited by email or in person to participate. Students (N=68) completed an online or on paper survey assessing perceived and actual stress levels, coping strategies, ethnic identity, and knowledge and use of coping resources provided by the school. Responses were analyzed to identify relationships and differences between stress and coping strategies by program, year, and sociodemographics. Lessons Learned: High stress levels were reported among, MPH (53%) students, first year students (70%) and almost half of all respondents (49%). No significant differences in stress were observed between sex or program. Most students reported that the institution did not provide enough stress management resources (65%) and suggested improvements and additional services. Ethnic identity was not identified as buffer to stress. Lack of time and knowledge about resources were reported as barriers to use of school resources. Self blame, self distraction, and emotional support coping strategies were found to predict perceived and observed stress levels. Recommendations: Health profession students attending an HBCU experience high levels of stress and request additional support from the academic institution. Attention should be made to provide resources that fit student needs. More research on HP student stress is necessary using mixed methods.