GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PSYCHOSOMATIC HEALTH AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Background: medical education is highly stressful, often leading to psychosomatic disorders. While previous research highlights the prevalence of stress-related physical symptoms in medical students, gender-specific differences remain underexplored. This study investigates how male and female medical students experience and manifest psychosomatic symptoms differently.

Methods: a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 medical students (150 male, 150 female) from years 1–6 at a medical university. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-10), psychosomatic symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-15, PHQ-15), and coping mechanisms. Additional physiological markers (salivary cortisol, heart rate variability) were analyzed in a subsample.

Results: Female students reported significantly higher rates of psychosomatic symptoms (p<0.01), particularly headaches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disturbances, compared to males. Stress levels were elevated in both groups, but females exhibited stronger correlations between perceived stress and somatic complaints (r = 0.62 vs. r = 0.41 in males). Cortisol levels were higher in females during exam periods, while males showed greater cardiovascular reactivity. Maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., emotional suppression) were more common in males, whereas females tended toward help-seeking behaviors.

Conclusion: gender plays a significant role in psychosomatic health among medical students, with females experiencing higher symptom burden and stress-related physiological responses. These findings suggest the need for gender-tailored interventions, such as stress management programs and mental health support, to mitigate psychosomatic risks in medical education.

KEYWORDS:

psychosomatics, medical students, gender differences, stress, cortisol, coping mechanisms