Dental students in Northern Ireland in 1992 and 1995: changing trends in psychological stress

The political violence which took place in Northern Ireland was hypothesised (Fraser, Brit. J. Psychiat. 1971; 118: 257-264; Lyons, Brit, J. Psychiat, 1971; 118: 265-273; Lyons, J. Psychosomat. Res. 1979: 23: 373-393) to increase psychological stress in its population. This assumption led to the validity of work conducted in 1992 to assess Belfast dental students' stress to be questioned by researchers. An identical survey of clinical students was conducted in 1995, during the 1994-96 cease-fire in order to compare this additional cobort with the original cohort of clinical students' (from 1992) psychological stress. One hundred and seventy-nine students, in total, completed the occupational stress indicator. The results showed that there was no effect of year or the interaction of gender by year for sources of stress, type A behaviour, social support, health behaviours or stress outcomes. The main effect of gender explained differences in social support, alcohol consumption and the outcomes of stress (ie physical and mental ill-health). The findings suggest that social support, cohesiveness and group identity may act to contain the psychological stress associated with the political violence in Northern Ireland.