Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research
Stressors and coping strategies among physiotherapy students: Towards an integrated support structure
Submitted: 29 January 2018 | Published: 16 August 2018
About the author(s)
Elizabeth C. Janse van Vuuren, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Free State, South AfricaKaren Bodenstein, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Free State, South Africa
Mariette Nel, Department of Biostatistics, University of the Free State, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Stress is a major problem among university and, specifically, health care students, as it may influence academic performance and psychological well-being negatively. Aims: To develop and implement a student support system based on the perceived stress, stressors and coping strategies of physiotherapy students.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was undertaken, using a literature-based, selfcompiled questionnaire and the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Over a period of three years, 207 third- and fourth-year physiotherapy students at a South African university were included.
Results: Psychological distress was experienced by 61.8%–71.2% of participants. During the 3 months prior to the study, 6% of participants received psychological or psychiatric help and 9% of participants used some form of psychiatric medication. The main stressors identified during clinical training were the suffering and death of patients, academic pressure and tension during interaction with personnel. Participants indicated that they mainly coped with these stressors by talking to someone such as a family member or a friend.
Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, a framework to identify and support students in pre-clinical and clinical training years was developed and implemented over five years. This proposed framework might positively contribute to the psychological well-being of health care students.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 5027Total article views: 5673
Crossref Citations
1. Estresse: A percepção de discentes de graduação em fisioterapia da universidade estadual do oeste do paraná
Keila Okuda Tavares, Vilmar Malacarne
Cuadernos de Educación y Desarrollo vol: 15 issue: 1 first page: 714 year: 2023
doi: 10.55905/cuadv15n1-038
2. Burnout in occupational therapy and physiotherapy students: a systematic review of the risk and protective factors
Mineka Vedamuttu, Michelle Hood, Lindsay Eastgate, Andrea Bialocerkowski
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice vol: 41 issue: 9 first page: 1986 year: 2025
doi: 10.1080/09593985.2025.2478091
3. Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns on the education and mental health of physiotherapy students in France: a descriptive cross-sectional study with national online survey
Arnaud Delafontaine, Gabriel Saiydoun, Maxime Vallée , Laurent Fabeck, François-Régis Sarhan , Thomas Rulleau, Sylvain Gautier , Nicolas Pinsault
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine vol: 56 first page: jrm18463 year: 2024
doi: 10.2340/jrm.v56.18463
4. Life skills programmes for university-based wellness support services for students in health sciences professions: a scoping review
Annah Lesunyane, Enos Ramano, Karin van Niekerk, Kobie Boshoff, Janine Dizon
BMC Medical Education vol: 24 issue: 1 year: 2024
doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-06162-y
5. Stress factors among physiotherapy students at a university in Gauteng, South Africa
Zander I. Collins, Chané Siepker, Kelebogile J. Ralehlaka, Boitshoko C. Molefe, Tiisetso C. Phala, Simphiwe A. Vilankulu, Makwena M. Sibuyi, Thembelihle S. Ntuli
Health SA Gesondheid vol: 30 year: 2025
doi: 10.4102/hsag.v30i0.2803
6. Prevalence of Generalised Anxiety Disorders Among Clinical Training Students at the University of Sharjah
Michael E Otim, Amina M Al Marzouqi, Muhammad A Subu, Naamat Damaj, Sara Al-Harbawi
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare vol: Volume 14 first page: 1863 year: 2021
doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S317828
7. Psychological well-being, stressors, coping strategies and support of undergraduate healthcare students amid COVID-19
Annali E. Fichardt, Corlia Janse Van Vuuren, Lynette van der Merwe
Health SA Gesondheid vol: 28 year: 2023
doi: 10.4102/hsag.v28i0.2340
8. Development and Implementation of a Self-Care Plan for an Undergraduate Physiotherapy Curriculum in Switzerland: A Survey Study
Simone Zingg, Jorina Janssens, Irene Koenig, Patricia Wassmer, Angela Blasimann, Slavko Rogan
Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development vol: 12 year: 2025
doi: 10.1177/23821205251374552
9. Resilience, professionalism, and reflective thinking: The three-legged stool of health professional and teacher education students’ fieldwork practice / Resilienz, Professionalität und reflektierendes Denken: die drei Säulen für das Praktikum von Studierenden der Gesundheitsberufe und der Lehrerbildung
Clifford J. Connell, Ted Brown, Alana Hewitt, Averill Grieve, Richard O’Donovan, Daniel T. Malone, Bella Ross, Robert Cousland, Louise Oliaro, Mong-Lin Yu
International Journal of Health Professions vol: 8 issue: 1 first page: 98 year: 2021
doi: 10.2478/ijhp-2021-0009
10. Prevalence of Stage 1 Hypertension among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Physiotherapy Students
Dr. Sanat Kulkarni, Tenzin Youdon
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology first page: 691 year: 2025
doi: 10.48175/IJARSCT-29983
11. Prevalence of anxiety and depression among physiotherapy students of private institutes in Faisalabad
Shabbir Umer, Tanveer Wassam, Warraich Rameeza, Iftikhar Saad, Afzal M Umer, Azan M
Archives of Depression and Anxiety vol: 8 issue: 1 first page: 001 year: 2022
doi: 10.17352/2455-5460.000067
12. Prevalence of psychological symptoms and their correlates among physiotherapy clinical students: A cross-sectional study
Abdulsalam M. Yakasai, Gordana Dermody, Sonill S. Maharaj, Auwal B. Hassan, Auwal Abdullahi, Jibrin S. Usman, Musa S. Danazumi
South African Journal of Physiotherapy vol: 78 issue: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.4102/sajp.v78i1.1795