Gender Difference in the Impact of Examination Stress on Psychological and Physiological Profiles of Dental Students
The stress impactduring preparatory,examination and post examination periodson psychophysiological parameters in 40 normal male and female dental students was studied and the gender difference was explored. The stress level was assessed using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS);psychological changes were assessed by determining short term and long term memory (STM, (LTM) using RAVLT Word List A and B Subsections and physiological changes were determined by recordingsystolic blood pressure (SBP) diastolic blood pressure (DBP) heart rate (HR) and heart rate variation 30:15 ratio) The results revealed that perceived stressdecreased significantly in post exam period inboth the genders (p< 0.0001)than in preparatory period. STM and LTM did not show any significant change in both the genders. SBP was not altered significantly in exam and post exams periods compared to that of preparatory period in males and it increased significantly in exam period(p< 0.015) in females.DBP decreased more significantly in males and less significantly in females after exams (p 0.008, 0.028) HR decreased significantly after exams in both the genders compared to that of preparatory period(p 0.0007, 0.0001) 30:15 ratiodecreasedmore significantly in males and less significantly in females during exams (p 0.0001, 0.008).Thus, theexamination stress affects the psycho physiological variables in both genders and the effect was equal in both the genders with elevated sympathetic activity. Counseling, yoga and meditation may be useful in combating these stress effects and prevent the future complications