# Association between psychoeducational factors and perceived academic stress in medical students: a gender-based analysis

## TL;DR

This study explores how factors like sleep, activity, and gender relate to academic stress in medical students, finding that women experience higher stress and different coping strategies.

## Contribution

The study introduces a gender-based analysis of academic stress in medical students, linking it to sleep quality and physical activity.

## Key findings

- Female students reported higher academic overload and exam-related anxiety compared to male students.
- Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with increased stress levels in medical students.
- Gender-sensitive interventions are needed to address stress through sleep, activity, and coping strategies.

## Abstract

Academic stress is a dynamic cognitive appraisal process in which students perceive educational demands as exceeding their coping resources This perception is associated with emotional and behavioral responses that relate to well-being and perceived academic stress.

This study aimed to identify the main academic stressors in medical students and to examine their relationship with sleep quality, physical activity, and gender, specifically focusing on perceived stress rather than academic grades.

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted including sociodemographic questions and validated instruments: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Academic Stress Questionnaire (E-CEA), and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Logistic regression analyses were performed.

Significant gender-related differences were found in stress responses and coping strategies. Female students reported higher levels of academic overload (p = 0.004), emotional demands, and exam-related anxiety (p = 0.005), as well as differences in exam preparation strategies (p = 0.037). Regarding lifestyle factors, poor sleep quality was identified as a significant factor associated with higher stress levels (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.03–1.22).

Academic overload and exam anxiety were identified as significant factors associated with medical students´ well-being. Female students showed a higher probability of reporting stress (OR = 5.56). These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive psychoeducational interventions that promote healthy sleep habits and stress management alongside physical activity recommendations.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-026-08770-2.