Academic stress and causal factors in medical students in an educational institution in Mexico

Introduction: Academic stress is a common problem in medical students, affecting their well-being and performance. This study analyzed its level and causal factors.Methods: A quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out on 472 medical students. A questionnaire on stressors and physical, psychological and behavioral reactions was applied. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics in SPSS.Results: Academic overload (68.2%), constant evaluations (61.5%) and competition among peers (55.7%) were the main stress factors. Among the physical manifestations, 72.4% reported fatigue and 64.1% reported sleep disturbances. In the psychological field, 67.3% presented anxiety and 54.9% presented emotional exhaustion.Conclusions: Medical students present high levels of stress with an impact on their health and performance. It is recommended to implement coping strategies such as time management, psychological support and healthy habits.