Association between time management practices and perceived stress levels in preclinical chiropractic students.

OBJECTIVE

The demands of chiropractic education often result in significant stress for students, highlighting the need for effective stress management strategies, including time management practices. This study examined the relationship between time management practices and perceived stress levels among preclinical chiropractic students at 1 university.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted with 40 preclinical chiropractic students, using the Time Management Behavioral Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale to assess time management practices and perceived stress levels. Data were collected from February to April 2021. Analyses included confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant negative correlation between time management practices and perceived stress levels, indicating that better time management was associated with lower stress levels. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling analyses revealed that setting goals and priorities played a crucial role in managing perceived stress.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights a significant association between time management practices and perceived stress levels among chiropractic students. These findings contribute to understanding how time management relates to students' well-being and academic performance, providing a foundation for future research in this area.