Perceived Stress and its Relationship with Coping Strategies among Doctors at a Tertiary Hospital in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Medical doctors are prone to stress and utilize a variety of coping strategies. This study aims to measure the level of perceived stress and its relationship with coping strategies among doctors working in a tertiary hospital in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional, descriptive study using a self-administered questionnaire containing Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Brief COPE Scale to assess perceived stress and coping strategies among different cadres of doctors. Out of the 217 questionnaires distributed, 185 completed copies were analysed.

Most of the respondents were less than 35 years (mean = 33.6 ±6.21) and the rate of perceived stress was 43.2%. The mean scores of Perceived Stress Scale and Brief COPE were 23.08 (±6.58) and 59.46 (±12.05). Socio-demographic factors significantly associated with perceived stress were age less than 35 years, being single, working in the hospital and years of practice less than 5 years and being house-officer or registrar (p< .001). Respondent that were not stressed reported significant higher mean scores in active coping and positive reframing but lower mean scores in humor (p< .05). Also, they reported significant lower mean scores in maladaptive coping and its subscales (p<.003). Perceived stress had a significant negative correlation with active coping (p=.017) and positive correlation with maladaptive coping and all its subscales (p< .006). Only age of respondents significantly predicted perceived stress among respondents (p = .003).

There is high level of stress among a sample of Nigerian doctors. Hence, there is a need for stress management program among them.