| Objective: The purposes of this study were to determine if there were differences in the perceived stress and the negative affect levels between PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residents, and if there was a relationship existed between perceived stress and the negative affect levels. It also explored the association between stress and self-reported medication errors as well as the impacts of residency-related stressors on pharmacy residents' stress.;Methods: The study used a cross-sectional approach. The study population was 2321 residents enrolled in pharmacy residency programs in the year of 2011. Invitation letters were sent to ask the Pharmacy Residency Directors allow their residents to participate in this study via an online questionnaire survey. The main study outcomes included the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), MAACL-R Anxiety, Depression, Hostility, and Dysphoria scores as well as self-reported medication errors.;Results: 643 residents responded to the study questionnaire and 524 were used for final analysis. Of those, 75.4% were female, 41.2% were under 26 years old, 29.4% were married and 41% working more than 60 hours per week. There were no differences in stress levels with PSS-10 scores = 19.05 (SD 5.96) for PGY1 and 19.09 (SD 5.77) for PGY2 pharmacy residents, and higher than healthy adult population (14.2). PGY2 pharmacy residents had higher Hostility levels (50.83, SD 10.02) than the PGY1 pharmacy residents (48.62, SD 8.96) while there were no differences in Anxiety, Depression, and Dysphoria levels. Stress scores were significantly and positively correlated with Anxiety, Depression, Hostility, and Dysphoria scores. Perceived stress levels and self-reported medication errors were positively correlated. Resident worked more than 60 hours per week significantly had higher perceived stress levels as well as Depression, Hostility, and Dysphoria scores. Residency-related stressors contributed to perceived stress, negative affect levels and self-reported medication errors.;Conclusion: Pharmacy residents exhibited high levels of perceived stress, especially for those worked more than 60 hours per week. Stress levels positively correlated to self-reported medication errors. PSS-10 highly correlated to MAACL-R negative affect levels and could be used as a screening tool. Residency-related stressors had negative impacts on the residents' psychological and physical well-being. |
