Student Aggression in a Military Medical University and Coping Strategies for Dealing With Stressful Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive-Analytical Study in Iran.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Students in military environments often face unique pressures and stressors. This study aimed to assess the levels of aggression and the coping strategies employed under stressful conditions among students at Aja University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted during the first half of 2023 on 314 students from a military university. A purposeful, criterion-based sampling method was used. Data were collected using three standardized instruments: the Aggression Questionnaire by Eysenck and Glenn Wilson (1975), the Stress Coping Strategies Questionnaire by Endler and Parker (1990), and a demographic information questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (Version 21), with a significance level set at  < 0.05 for all tests.

RESULTS

The study revealed that over 12% of the students exhibited high levels of aggression. The majority of participants (61.5%) employed task-oriented coping strategies. Statistically significant relationships were found between aggression and several variables, including gender, academic semester, concurrent employment, a history of depression, and the use of tobacco and alcohol. No significant associations were observed between aggression and factors such as age, marital status, field of study, place of residence, or history of acute or chronic illness. Regarding coping strategies, students primarily relied on task-oriented coping (61.5%), followed by emotion-oriented coping (24.8%) and avoidance-oriented coping (10.2%). Task-oriented coping was significantly associated with a history of antidepressant use. Emotion-oriented coping correlated significantly with academic semester, a history of depression, chronic physical illness, and the use of alcohol or tobacco. Avoidance-oriented coping was significantly associated with gender, place of residence, a history of depression, and the use of alcohol or tobacco.

CONCLUSION

The average aggression score among students was moderate. Given the demanding military environment of their education, there is a clear need to address aggression through targeted interventions. Structured anger management workshops and training programs are recommended to mitigate aggressive behavior and promote healthier coping mechanisms.