Ethnic differences in academic stress and learning preferences in anatomy between Pasifika and Pākehā students

Learning anatomy is influenced by many factors including sociocultural and education background. We aim to: (a) compare the academic stress, learning styles, and learning strategies of Pasifika (Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands) and Pākehā (New Zealanders with European ethnicity) anatomy students and (b) investigate how learning strategies are associated with academic stress. Using an online survey, we gathered data from 43 Pasifika and 42 Pākehā students in 2022–2023 in New Zealand. Pasifika students reported higher levels of academic stress than Pākehā students. Learning styles and preferences for most assessed learning strategies were similar between both ethnic groups. Preferences of reading online materials and group study were associated with academic stress levels, after controlling for age, ethnicity, and gender. Despite the disparities in academic stress levels, Pākehā and Pasifika anatomy students have similar learning styles and learning strategies. Other factors are likely to contribute to their academic stress.