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Abstract

Objectives: To assess the emotional responses and coping strategies of medical students during the lockdown and social distancing measures implemented during the coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This cross‑sectional study is based on data collected from undergraduate medical students at the College of Medicine, Alfaisal University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the fall semester of academic year 2020-2021. All the participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire consisting of 3 parts: demographic information, emotional response scale, and 14-item, adapted brief coping orientation to problems experienced inventory to determine the use of avoidant or approach coping strategies. Coping and emotional response scores were compared using t-test. Linear regression analysis was also performed. Results: A total of 261 students from all years were included. Overall scores were higher for avoidant coping strategies. The use of avoidant coping strategies was significantly higher in females ( p =0.03) and in preclinical students ( p <0.001). Preclinical students had a higher mean score for anger ( p =0.002). Conversely, students in the clinical phase had higher scores for anxiety ( p =0.005) and sadness ( p =0.027). The regression analysis of emotional responses and coping strategies suggests that avoidant coping is a predictor of anger ( p =0.003) and sadness ( p =0.005). Conclusion: Interventions to train medical students in the use of more productive and effective coping strategies may reduce negative emotional responses linked to the present COVID-19 pandemic and in the future.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

61

Last Page

66

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