Assessment of Clinical Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms in Dental Undergraduate Students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Undergraduate students cope with different aspects of dental learning creating stressful situations automatically. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate clinical anxiety and coping mechanisms in students. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved ۲۱۸ dental students from the fourth to sixth year at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. Questionnaires, including the MMMS and CSIS, were utilized to identify anxiety-inducing situations and various coping strategies. Participants assessed their anxiety levels regarding specific situations on a ۴-point scale, categorizing them as “not anxious,” “fairly anxious,” or “severely anxious.” Using the CSIS, participants indicated their coping strategies, which were scored on a ۳-point scale. The subgroup with the highest scores was designated as the primary coping strategy. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square, Fisher Exact Test, Independent t-test, and One-way ANOVA, were conducted using SPSS ۲۲ at a significance level of ۰.۰۵. Results: Response rate was ۹۲%. The mean clinical anxiety score was ۲.۰۹±۰.۳۳. The majority was fairly anxious. Levels of clinical anxiety showed a significant relation with age (P<۰.۰۰۱), and academic year (P=۰.۰۰۲). Mean score of clinical anxiety was significantly differed due to age (P<۰.۰۰۱), and academic year (P<۰.۰۰۱). No significant relationship was found between clinical anxiety and gender; neither qualitatively nor quantitatively. Seeking Social Support was the most prevalent coping. Coping had no relation with age, gender, academic year and level of clinical anxiety. Conclusion: Younger students and those new to clinical training experience higher anxiety, underscoring targeted interventions. Dental schools should implement mental health support to enhance the student well-being preventing psychological challenges.

کلیدواژه ها:

Clinical Anxiety ، Coping ، Dental students