title: [Stress in Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Relevance of Attachment Style and Structural Integration].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  From year one of studying medicine an increase of psychological stress is found. The relationship between the occurrence of this stress and attachment patterns or structural personality functions remains unclear. The present study aimed at investigating whether a relationship between the enduring personality variables, attachment style and level of structural integration of the personality, and acute stress experience at the beginning of medical students' studies exists.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, all students in the first semester of medicine were invited to participate in a study to identify stress factors via questionnaire (MBI-SS, PSQ, PHQ-9, GAD-7) in the WS 2013/2014. Simultaneously, the predominant attachment style (RQ-2) and structural abilities (OPD-SFK) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 293 students (return: 91.3%). Securely attached students experienced significantly less stress than insecurely attached students (p=0.019). Students with a high level of structural integration showed significantly less stress burden (p<0.001) and lower exhaustion- (p<0.001) and cynicism values (p<0.001), while showing a higher experience of self-efficacy (p<0.001). The influence of attachment behavior on stress experience is mediated by the level of the structural integration of the personality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant correlations exist between attachment style and the level of structural integration of the personality, and burnout risk as well as stress burden. The level of structural integration of the personality mediates the relationship between the attachment-related "model of self" and stress experience, i. e. a positive "model of self" can have a stress-protective effect when good structural abilities are present. Practical implication: An insecure attachment style and a low level of structural integration may be associated with higher stress experience when transitioning to study. The results suggest that the enduring personality variable attachment style, mediated by the level of structural integration of the personality, leads to higher stress and burnout experience. Affected students could be supported by early preventive measures enabling the sustainable preparation for this transitional period. Longitudinal prospective studies are needed to explore if the assumption is applicable that pre-existing vulnerabilities in school are exacerbated at this transitional stage.
authors: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Till Johannes
authors: TJ
authors: Bugaj
authors: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Müksch
authors: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Johannes C
authors: JC
authors: Ehrenthal
authors: Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Nadja
authors: N
authors: Köhl-Hackert
authors: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Henning
authors: H
authors: Schauenburg
authors: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Huber
authors: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Carolin
authors: C
authors: Schmid
authors: Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Erschens
authors: Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Florian
authors: F
authors: Junne
authors: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Herzog
authors: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Nikendei
mesh_terms: D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010551:Personality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult