Educational sources of stress in midwifery students

This article presents the findings of a study that investigated educational sources of stress among student midwives working in England. The study set out to address the question, what are the clinical and educational experiences that can give rise to stress? Students were invited to complete a 45-item questionnaire which asked them to identify the extent to which a particular statement, in their experience, led to feelings of stress. There were four categories of response: 'not at all', 'a little', 'much' and 'very much'. Responses from 199 students (127 preregistration and 72 preregistration (shortened)) were obtained. Factor analysis was used to determine the structure of the data set, and two factors emerged. Factor 1, accounting for 29.6% of variance, was labelled 'organizational and learning experience' sources of stress, while factor 2, accounting for 6.6% of variance, was labelled 'home and family' sources of stress. Further analysis on those items that were reported as having proportionately large numbers of students responding 'very much' was performed. Results from three items, 'insufficient time to carry out assignments', "dealing with study vs. home/personal demands', and while on placements being exposed to "life and death situations', were found to be significantly different between preregistration and preregistration (shortened) students. These findings suggest that a wide variety of events cause students stress. While clinical sources of stress may be expected to exist, it must also be recognized that relationships with tutorial staff and aspects of the learning environment within colleges can also lead to stress.