Objective: To determine the occurrence of perceived stress and satisfaction with life as well as the association between the two among under graduate physical therapy students.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2015 at Riphah International University, Isra University and Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and comprised Doctor of Physical Therapy students aged 17-23 years. Perceived Stress Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale were used as tools to measure the outcomes. Data was analysed using S P SS 2 0..
Results: Of the 306 students approached, 279(91%) responded. There were 39(14%) males and 240(86%) females with an overall mean age of 19.18±0.92 years. Mean stress and satisfaction with life scores were 21.35±5.76 and 24.49±5.77. Significant negative co-relation between the two scores was observed (p=0.001). There was no significant association of age with satisfaction with life (p=0.591) and perceived stress (p=0.283). A significant gender-based difference was observed in terms of perceived stress (p=0.037) and satisfaction with life ( (p=0.008), with females scoring higher.
Conclusions: Male students were more satisfied with life compared to female students, and satisfaction with life decreased with an increase in stress.
Keywords: Healthcare students, Medical education, Physical therapy students, Psychological morbidity, Satisfaction with life, Stress..