Relationships between Stress, Quality of Lives, Expenses and Grade Point Average of Optometric Students of Rangsit University

Abstract

This study had an objective to study the relationship between academic achievement and stress, quality of life and monthly expense. The cross-sectional study was conducted on optometric students from Rangsit University at the start of second semester during October to November 2013. All of the students were asked to answer the questionnaire which included the source of their financial support, Suanprung stress test from Mental Health Department, Ministry of Public Health and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment, Thai version (WHOQOL- BRIEF- THAI). Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Continuous variables were analyzed through bivariate linear or logistic regression. The result showed that the total subjects of 134 students had the response rate of 92.5% in which 83.8% of the students used less than 15,000 baht per month for study. Moderate stress scores and quality of life were 60.5% and 59.3%. Fifty four students (47.4%) had GPA more than 3.00. Spearman’s rank correlation showed stress and quality of life were related (p=0.00) by high stress causing poor quality of life. Good quality of life will contribute to good academic achievement (GPA) of 2.1348. The students with high stress will had low GPA of 1.4205 and students of low monthly expense (less than 15,000 Baht) had low GPA as 2.8733 compare to student of higher monthly expense. In conclusion, stress, quality of life and monthly expense related to academic achievement of optometric students at the Rangsit University.