Exam-related changes in salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels of preclinical medical students

Year 2024, Volume: 37 Issue: 3, 282 - 289, 30.10.2024

Sinem Yıldız İnanıcı , Sevil Arabacı Tamer , Faize Elif Bahadır , Sibel Sakarya , Berrak Yegen

https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.1572929

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objective: The relationship between exam conditions with the peripheral oxytocin and cortisol levels and psychological characteristics
by gender were investigated.
Participants and Methods: Thirty-six preclinical medical students gave saliva samples in exam-free and pre-and post-exam conditions
and completed a comprehensive psychometric questionnaire.
Results: Before the theoretical exam, cortisol levels were elevated in females but not in males, whereas, oxytocin levels were similar in
both sexes under exam conditions. Genders were equalized in terms of most psychometric properties. Females did not feel prepared
for the exam and experienced more anxiety before the exam than males. Females had higher cortisol levels before the exam than after
the exam, but no change was observed in the cortisol levels of males by the exam conditions. Oxytocin levels did not differ significantly
for any condition or group.
Conclusion: Females may need to be supported in study planning and time management to increase exam preparedness and stress
management to increase coping with stress. The study’s small sample size casts a shadow on the generalizability of the results. In future
studies, the research process can be spread over a longer period and more people can be reached by not giving up strict selection rules.

Keywords

Test anxiety, Medical education, Oxytocin, Gender, Cort

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