Perceived Stress, Salivary Cortisol, and Temperament Traits among Students of Dental Medicine: A Prospective and Interventional Study

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Bruno Špiljak
• Author: Luka Šimunović
• Author: Maja Vilibić
• Author: Milena Hanžek
• Author: Danijel Crnković
• Author: Liborija Lugović-Mihić; MBZ: 215056
• Author's institution: (Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Dental Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Dental Medicine

Abstract (english)

Academic stress affects students’ psychological and physiological well-being. Dental undergraduate programs are known for their demanding curriculum, leading to significant stress symptoms. The objective was to determine if salivary cortisol levels were higher in students exposed to academic stress, assess the relationship between stress severity/temperament and cortisol values, and explore relaxation technique effects. Salivary cortisol was measured at two time points for all participants: Before exams and during a relaxation period after summer break. A third measurement was conducted for students with high pre-test cortisol levels who received instructions on progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) before subsequent exams. Additionally, participants completed two questionnaires: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Fisher’s Temperament Questionnaire. The group analysis based on the PSS indicated that 39 participants reported high stress. Women demonstrated significantly higher stress than men (p = 0.042054). A significant difference in stress levels was observed between director and builder temperament types (p = 0.029276). Cortisol levels showed a significant decrease from the first measurement to the second measurement, and the third measurement after implementing PMR. The grade in the “Dermatovenereology” course correlated with stress level according to the PSS (k = 0.578467). Pre-test cortisol levels correlated with the frequency of using PMR guidelines during winter test periods (k = 0.416138). Stress negatively affects the immune system and poses health risks. Implementing stress reduction techniques in dental/medical education could benefit students and the healthcare system.

• Keywords (english): academic stress; cortisol; PSS; temperament; PMR
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Behavioral Sciences
• Numbering: vol. 14, no. 4, 289
• e-ISSN: 2076-328X
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14040289
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:127:694155
• Publication: 2024-03-31
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/4/289
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-05-23 08:29:36