Objective: To evaluate the factorial structure and internal consistency of SISCO inventory of academic stress in medical students..
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the School of Medicine, University of Concepcion, Chile, in 2014, and comprised second and third year students.Exploratory factor analysis was carried out to determine the reliability of each of the dimensions of SISCO inventory. Descriptive and correlational analyses were also conducted.
Results: Of the 155 students, 121(78.1%)were female. The overall mean age was 20.5+/- 1.55 years (range: 18.9-32.2 years). Of the total, 61(39.4%) students were in the nursing programme, 10(6.5%) in speech therapy, 16(10.3%) in kinesiology, 10(6.5%) in medicine, 20(12.9%) in midwifery and 38(24.4%) in medical technology.For stressor, somatisation and coping dimensions, a factor was identified, with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.76, 0.86 and 0.52, respectively. Correlation could only be established between the first two dimensions.
Conclusions: Stressors and somatisation dimensions of the SISCO inventory of academic stress were found to be validity and reliabile.