Academic burnout and coping: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study among undergraduate students of a medical college in western Uttar Pradesh

Authors

Keywords:

Burnout, Coping, Medical Undergraduates

Abstract

Background: Academic burnout is a significant concern in undergraduate medical students due to the demanding nature of their coursework, clinical responsibilities, and the pressure to excel in their studies. Medical students, in particular, are believed to be more stressed and burnt out than their non-medical peers. Academic burnout can affect medical students’ academic performance and psychological well-being. Coping strategies are essential for students to manage stress and attempts are being made to control and mitigate the same.

Aim & Objective: 1) To assess the prevalence of academic burnout among undergraduate medical students;

2) To find out coping mechanisms adopted by the students.

 

Settings and Design: A cross-sectional anonymous survey, medical students were recruited from four professional MBBS groups.

 

Methods and Material: Based on prevailing prevalence of burnout, sample size calculation was done, and 220 completed questionnaires were collected and included in analysis. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) and Brief COPE questionnaire were used. Sociodemographic profile was assessed by semi-structured proforma.

Statistical analysis used: Jamovi (2.3.28) software and Microsoft Excel.

Results: High emotional exhaustion was present in nearly 35% of the students while over 65% of them reported low professional efficacy. However, majority of them practiced active coping.

 

Conclusions: A high emotional exhaustion was present in nearly 35% of the students while over 65% of them reported low professional efficacy. However, majority of them practiced active coping.

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Author Biographies

Tanveer Bano

Professor, Department of Community Medicine, LLRM Medical College, Meerut (U.P.)

Sanjeev Kumar

Professor & HOD, Department of Community Medicine, LLRM Medical College, Meerut (U.P.)

Ganesh Singh

Professor (Statistics), Department of Community Medicine, LLRM Medical College, Meerut (U.P.)

Neelam S Gautam

Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, LLRM Medical College, Meerut (U.P.)

Seema Jain

Professor, Department of Community Medicine, LLRM Medical College, Meerut (U.P.)

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Published

2026-03-05

How to Cite

1.
Batra S, Bano T, Kumar S, Singh G, Gautam NS, Jain S. Academic burnout and coping: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study among undergraduate students of a medical college in western Uttar Pradesh . Indian Journal of Community Health [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 5 [cited 2026 Mar. 9];37(6). Available from: http://www.iapsmupuk.org/journal/index.php/IJCH/article/view/3411

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