Stress in Undergraduate Physiotherapy Students

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the socio-demographic profile and analyze the prevalence of stress-inducing situations in undergraduate physiotherapy students of the Federal University of Paraíba. Material and Methods: This was a correlation study with cross-sectional and descriptive design. As measurement instruments, it was used socio-demographic questionnaires adapted from Aguiar (2009), and the Questionnaire of Sources of Stress by Loureiro et al. (2009).The sample consisted of 58 students from seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth semesters in 2010. Data were analyzed statistically, with a significance level of p less than 0.05. Results: The results show that 91.4% of the students consider their activities in the university as sources of stress, however no statistically significant difference was found between the semesters. The following variables are described in decreasing order of intensity of extreme stress: lack of time for leisure activities (50%), uncertainty about the professional future (50%), high workload of the course (46.6%), high amount of materials to study (43.1%), insufficient number of hours of sleep (36.2%), difficulty in managing time (34.5%), teaching / learning (32.8%). Conclusion: We suggest the adoption of preventive measures and psychological support that detect stress-inducing situations and adjustments in the educational structure. DESCRIPTORS Burnout, Professional. Indicators. Physical Therapy Specialty.