Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Stress in medical students has been associated with increased levels of depression, use of drugs and alcohol and increased anxiety and attrition. The present study was conducted to assess perceived stress, coping strategies and emotional intelligence among nursing students. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted among 140 nursing students. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Brief COPE and the Schutte self-report emotional intelligence test was used. Results: There were 60 males and 80 females. 90 were in bachelor’s degree and 50 were in master’s degree. 40 were in first year, 35 in second, 45 in third, 20 in 4th year. 90 were unmarried, and 50 were married. The mean PSS score of students was 18.34. Brief COPE: Adaptive score was 44.7, brief COPE: Maladaptive score was 23.9 and EEEIT score was 128.4. Perceived stress was positively correlated with maladaptive coping and negatively associated with adaptive coping. EI was negatively correlated with perceived stress and with maladaptive coping and positively correlated with adaptive coping. Conclusion: Authors found that interventions aimed at increasing emotional intelligence may help to lessen perceived stress for students in the helping disciplines. Key words: Emotional intelligence, Nursing, Perceived stress