Coping Strategies used During Examination Periods among Final-Year Allied Health Undergraduates: A Qualitative Study

The unique combination of academic and clinical coursework often leads to high levels of stress among undergraduates. Due to a demanding curriculum, clinical placements, and multiple evaluations, Allied Health undergraduates are frequently subjected to a higher level of stress than students in other programs, which may induce anxiety and depression. Recognizing the need for improved stress management and academic outcomes, this research sought to deepen the understanding of coping processes that could help students manage stress more effectively. The study aimed to explore the coping strategies used during the examination period among a group of final-year Allied Health undergraduates. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed. Thirty-five in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposively selected final-year Allied Health Science undergraduates. The interviews were analysed thematically to identify patterns and insights. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). Data collection was strengthened by triangulating methods, including interviews and field notes taken during the interviews, and extended engagement with the participants. Data collection continued until data saturation was achieved. The study included thirty-five participants aged 22 to 27 years old. Most of the participants were female, and all were Sinhalese in nationality. Findings revealed four key themes: maladaptive coping strategies, adaptive coping strategies, social support, and avoidant coping strategies. Participants reported a range of coping strategies, such as substance use, venting, giving up, positive reframing, acceptance, planning, self-distraction, and support seeking in dealing with stressors during the examination period. The findings show that many participants used adaptive coping strategies, while some adapted maladaptive or avoidant coping behaviours. The findings provide valuable insights into the coping strategies used by final-year Allied Health undergraduates during examination periods and suggest strengthening student support programmes that promote adaptive coping strategies to achieve better academic outcomes.