The mediating role of resilience in the relationship between stress and life satisfaction among Chinese medical students: a cross-sectional study

Background: The psychological distress of medical students has been widely acknowledged. However, few studies focused on positive well-being among medical students. The purpose of this study was to investigate related demographic factors of life satisfaction among Chinese medical students, to examine the relationship between stress and life satisfaction among this group of people, and to explore the mediating role of resilience in this relationship. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out in June 2014. Self-reported questionnaires consisting of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale (RS-14), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), as well as demographic section were distributed to students at four medical colleges and universities in Liaoning province, China. A total of 2925 students (effective response rate: 83.6%) became our subjects. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to explore the mediating role of resilience. Results: Among the demographic factors, life satisfaction was significantly different in gender (P = 0.001) and study programs (P < 0.001). Stress was negatively correlated with life satisfaction (r = -0.35, P < 0.01). After adjusting for the demographic factors, stress accounted for 12% of the variance in life satisfaction (beta = -0.34, P < 0.001) while resilience explained an additional 18% of the variance (beta = 0.46, P < 0.001). Resilience functioned as a partial mediator in the relationship between stress and life satisfaction among Chinese medical students. Conclusions: Both stress and resilience played a big role in life satisfaction among Chinese medical students. Besides reducing perceived stress, the university authorities should adopt evidence-based intervention strategies to enhance their resilience in order to promote life satisfaction among the students.