Factors causing stress in postgraduate dental students duringCOVID‑19 pandemic: A cross‑sectional survey

Background: COVID‑19 pandemic has impacted the academic and clinical training of postgraduatedental students. This study aimed to assess various factors causing psychological stress in them,and the extent of stress perception during pandemic.Materials and Methods: In this cross‑sectional study, 250 postgraduate students from nine dentalcolleges of Haryana and National Capital Region, India, responded to an online questionnaire sentelectronically to them in September 2020, which included modified dental environment stress (DES)score, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and questions regarding COVID‑associated stress (CAS). Studentsalready diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder or having a history of any major adverse eventduring the last 6 months likely to affect their psychological health were excluded from this study.The data obtained were analyzed using Chi‑square test, Independent t‑test, univariate ANOVA withpost hoc tests, Pearson moment correlation, and multiple hierarchical regression tests. P 0.05 wasconsidered statistically significant.Results: DES score was moderate for 48.8% and high for 34.4% of the participants. PSS wasmoderate for 69.2% and high for 18.8% of the participants. The most stressful factor in dentalenvironment was the pattern of university examination, while the most stressful factor specific toCOVID‑19 was the fear of family members contracting the infection. PSS score was significantlyhigher in female participants. DES and CAS scores were significantly higher in students staying inhostels. Multiple hierarchical regression model depicted gender, mean health, and DES score assignificant predictors of PSS.Conclusion: Postgraduate dental students reported the adverse impact of COVID‑19 pandemicupon their training and prospects as a reason for the increase in stress.