Academic stress factors and associated symptoms in nursing students

Introduction: Academic stress is a recurring phenomenon among university students, especially in demanding programs such as Nursing. It can trigger a range of physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms that affect students' academic performance and mental health. Objective: To determine the relationship between academic stress factors and associated symptoms in nursing students at the National University of San Martín during the 2022-I academic semester. Methods: A basic, quantitative, descriptive-correlational study with a non-experimental cross-sectional design was conducted. The population consisted of 355 students, from which a sample of 183 was selected using simple random sampling. Two previously validated questionnaires were administered: the Academic Stressors Scale (ECEA) and the Questionnaire on Reactions to Stressful Stimuli. Results: The main stress factors identified were methodological deficiencies of the teaching staff, exams, and student overload. At the symptom level, average levels predominated for physical symptoms (43.2%) and psychological symptoms (53.5%), while low levels predominated for behavioral symptoms (55.2%). A significant correlation was found between academic stress factors and physical (r = 0.513), psychological (r = 0.584), and behavioral (r = 0.514) symptoms. Conclusions: There is a direct and significant relationship between academic stress factors and associated symptoms, highlighting the need to implement institutional strategies to prevent stress and promote student well-being.