APPLICATION OF SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY FOR PREDICTING STRESS IN NON-NATIVE NEW STUDENTS OF ARAK UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2015-2016

If the stress of a person, he is more than capable of coping capacity, can in the long run, cause physical and psychological.The prediction of stressors is essential in order to plan for educational interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of social cognitive theory structures in anticipation of exotic first year students stress Arak University of Medical Sciences.

This cross-sectional study was conducted through census method among 156 students of arak University Medical Sciences during 2015-2016 academic years.Data was collected by demographic questionnaire and, Perceived Stress scale )Cohen(, Coping self-Efficacy Scale (Chesny) and scale of perceived social support (zimet); that have acceptable reliability and validity. Then Data were analyzed by Descriptive and inferential statistical test.

Results showed that 25/6% of students were male and 74/4% of them were female.The participants’ mean age was 18/99±0/51 years.28.8% of students had above-average stress score. Average stress female students was 21/6±8/03 and male 17/1±9/2, indicating higher stress in female students. Factors predictive of students stress was self-efficacy and social support that both structures are important social cognitive theory. Between perceived stress and self-efficacy (r=-0/6, p<0/001) and social support (r=-0/31, p<0/001) there was a significant relationship.

It seems self-efficacy plays a central role in the regulation of students' mental state, as well as support for informal, family understanding, support received by professors and university employees can have a major role in controlling and reducing stress.