title: Extracurricular activities associated with stress and burnout in preclinical medical students.
abstract: This study aims to assess the prevalence of stress and burnout among preclinical medical students in a private university in Beirut, Lebanon, and evaluate the association between extracurricular involvement and stress and burnout relief in preclinical medical students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sample of 165 preclinical medical students. Distress level was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) while that of burnout was measured through the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS). The MBI-SS assesses three interrelated dimensions: emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and academic efficacy. Extracurricular activities were divided into four categories: physical exercise, music, reading, and social activities. All selected participants responded. A substantial proportion of preclinical medical students suffered from stress (62%) and burnout (75%). Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses revealed that being a female or a 1st year medical student correlated with higher stress and burnout. Music-related activities were correlated with lower burnout. Social activities or living with parents were associated with lower academic efficacy. The high stress and burnout levels call for action. Addressing the studying conditions and attending to the psychological wellbeing of preclinical medical students are recommendations made in the study.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: jyf04@mail.aub.edu.
authors.forename: Jawad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fares
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Zein
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Saadeddin
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Hayat
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al Tabosh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Hussam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aridi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: El Mouhayyar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mohamad Karim
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Koleilat
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chaaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: El Asmar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Burnout; Extracurricular activities; Medical education; Preclinical medical students; Stress