The relationship between spiritual growth and interpersonal relations with stress management in Medical students

Introduction: The relationship between stress levels with spiritual growth and interpersonal relations have shown a different pattern in different societies. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between spiritual growth and interpersonal relations with stress management in students of Ilam University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: The study was cross-sectional and the study population was 400 medical students in Ilam University of Medical Sciences were recruited using the randomized allocation sampling, in 2012. The standard "HPLP II" questionnaire including demographic variables, stress management, spiritual growth and interpersonal relations was administered. Collected data were analyzed using ANOVA and linear regression tests in SPSS software.

Results: Mean and standard deviation of age and stress management score was 20.94 ± 1.9 years and 2.47 ± 0.5, respectively. In general, the poor, middle and good stress management was estimated to be 14%, 68.5% and 17.5%, respectively. There were significant relationships between students’ stress management with spiritual growth and interpersonal relations so that by improving spiritual growth and interpersonal relations score, the students’ stress management score has increased. Interpersonal relations showed that has a more important role in relation with stress management.

Conclusion: Health education in advanced levels considering spiritual growth and in particular interpersonal relations can have an important role in improvement of students’ stress management.