The aim: The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between the strength of motivation of medical students, the symptoms they experience, the thoughts of dropping out and the satisfaction with the academic results obtained during their last exam session. The relationship between depression and physical symptoms was also explored.
Material and methods: A number of 91 students from 4th year of study were included in the survey. Depression and the strength of motivation were measured using Beck Depression Inventory and Strength of Motivation for Medical School. The obtained data have been processed using SPSS 14 statistical software.
Results: A positive correlation between the strength of motivation and physical symptoms was identified, meaning that a higher motivation is associated with a higher number of symptoms experienced by students in stressful moments (r=0.33, p=0.01). Also, women present a higher level of the strength of motivation compared to men [t (89) =0.47; p=0.004, p < 0.05]. A statistically significant difference [t (89) =0.98; p=0.009, p < 0.05] between the average strength of motivation in students who thought about dropping out (M=53.03) and in students who never thought about leaving medical school (M=58.45) was also identified. Perceived depression was also found to predict the number of symptoms felt by students during stressful times.
Conclusions: Students that are mostly motivated in medical school also get stressed the most because they want to have good results.