How Stressed Are They?: Levels and Sources of Stress in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students

Stress has detrimental effects on psychological well-being, cognitive function, and physiological health. While students in many healthcare programs experience high levels of stress, it is unknown whether this is true for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. The purpose of this study was to explore the levels and sources of stress experienced by first- and second-year DPT students.

Study participants included first- and second-year DPT students from eight physical therapist education programs in the Midwestern United States. In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, participants completed a survey during the didactic portion of their curriculum that included demographic information, the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Undergraduate Sources of Stress (USOS) Scale.

The response rate was 84% with a total of 545 returned surveys. The mean PSS score was 15.7 out of a possible 40, with a range from 0 to 34. There were significant differences in levels of stress between universities and based on sex, with females reporting greater levels of stress than males. Respondents identifying higher levels of exercise, sleep, and social support reported lower levels of stress.

Participants in this study reported lower mean PSS scores compared to age-matched norms and students in other healthcare programs.