Dr Susan Ka Yee Chow
Tung Wah College, Hong Kong
Title: Is there any relationship between perceived stress and physical activities of undergraduate nursing students?
Biography
Biography: Dr Susan Ka Yee Chow
Abstract
Aim: To examine the relationship between perceived level of stress and physical activity among junior and senior year nursing students in undergraduate programme.
Methods: Cross-sectional survey was used. The study included six universities and colleges that offer undergraduate nursing programme in Hong Kong. Convenient sampling was adopted to recruit second and final year nursing students. There were 308 students participated in the study. The self- administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics, perceived stress scale (PSS) and Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ). Higher scores of PSS represented higher level of perceived stress. The GSLTPAQ classifies level of activity into active, moderately active and insufficiently active. The study was approved by the human subjects reseach ethics committee of the College. All of the participants signed informed consent forms.
Results: The mean score of PSS was 27.31/56 (SD 5.41) and 26.70/56 (SD 4.91) for year 2 and year 5 students, respectively. For weekly physical activity level, the mean score was 21.99 (SD 16.30) and 22.23 (SD 14.47) for year 2 and year 5 students, respectively. There were about half, 53% of year 2 and 47% of year 5 students classified as insufficiently active. For relationships between level of perceived stress and physical activity among the two groups of students, the corelation coefficient for year 2 and year 5 students were 0.084 and -0.085, respectively.
Conclusion: Peviousely, it was believed that that senior year nursing students are facing higher level of stress due to study pressure and clincial practices. Both junior and senior nursing students perceived similar level of stress. Junior students are adopting to new life while final year students are worrying about joining the workforce after graduation. Nurse educators and universities should supports the next generation of nurses to reduce the negative impact of stress and avoid living a sedentary lifestyle.