Objective. To evaluate perceived stress among postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residents and to examine relationships between perceived stress and certain demographic variables. Main stressors during residency training and coping mechanisms used were also determined. Methods. A link to a web-based survey was sent to 1128 pharmacy residency program directors who were asked to forward it to current PGY1 residents in their programs. The 22-item questionnaire included the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), demographic information, number of working/sleeping hours, and major stressors and coping mechanisms. Results. There were 505 responses collected from PGY1 residents of community pharmacy, managed care, and pharmacy practice residency programs across the US. Females reported higher PSS-10 scores than males. Perceived stress scores were similar across age groups. Single residents and married residents exhibited similar PSS-10 scores. Residents with children had higher stress score compared to residents without children. Perceived stress scores were similar across types of PGY1 residency programs. A higher number of working hours was associated with a higher PSS-10 score. Time pressures, work overload, and fear of error were the top stressors reported. Spending time with family and friends, staying optimistic, and engaging in enjoyable activities were the top coping strategies employed by participants. Conclusion. Female gender, having children, working longer working hours, and desire to change residency program were associated with higher PSS-10 scores. Approximately a third of the participants associated perceived stress with activities related to residency training (time pressures, workload, fear of errors) and report the use of positive coping strategies to deal with stress.
Keywords: coping mechanisms; perceived stress; pharmacy residency; stressor.