Stress level among Jouf University students: a comparison between medical and non-medical colleges

Purpose. This study aimed to compare stress levels among Jouf University students from medical and non-medical colleges. Methods. A cross-sectional study design was used to conduct this study on 120 students of both genders from two colleges: the College of Applied Medical Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences. The researcher randomly selected the College of Applied Medical Sciences as an example of a clinical academic study and the College of Arts and Sciences as an example of a theoretical study. The inclusion criteria were male and female students who were free from any psychological or physical disorders, voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, and regularly followed their academic study plan from both colleges at Jouf University, Qurrayat Branch. The selected colleges enabled researchers to achieve the study aim by comparing stress levels between students from two different academic disciplines: clinical and theoretical. Results. Among the 120 participants, the number of male students was higher than that of female students. Most participants were living with their families. The majority of students in the first study group (College of Applied Medical Sciences) exhibited high stress levels compared to about half of the students in the second study group (College of Arts and Sciences). Based on stress level values, it was found that stress was not linked to any sociodemographic factors. However, its level was high among students living with their families and those with a medium financial status. Conclusion. The findings showed a difference in stress levels between students from the College of Applied Medical Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences. There was also a relationship between students’ stress levels and their demographic variables.