Table 5 MSSS scale instructions, recall period, items, and response options

Response options:

0 = Never, 1 = Rarely, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Often, 4 = Always

1.  Since starting medical school,

I notice fluctuations in my appetite.

2. Since starting medical school,

I have difficulty asking for help.

3. Since starting medical school,

I receive less satisfaction from learning new material.

4. Since starting medical school,

I am unable to relax.

5. Since starting medical school,

I feel anxious.

6. Since starting medical school,

I am unable to enjoy activities outside of classes/rotations.

7. Since starting medical school,

I feel hopeless that I’ll ever get my degree.

8. Since starting medical school,

I feel depressed.

9. Since starting medical school,

I have a hard time motivating myself to study

10. Since starting medical school,

I feel emotionally exhausted.

11. Since starting medical school,

I am fearful of failing.

12. Since starting medical school,

I feel unsupported by my peers.

13. Since starting medical school,

I feel competition from my peers.

14. Since starting medical school,

I feel unsupported by faculty.

15. Since starting medical school,

I feel taken advantage of by faculty (i.e. research mentors, professors, and/or school administrators).

16. Since starting medical school,

I feel pressure from others (i.e. parents, professors, mentors, etc.) to get good grades.

17. Since starting medical school,

I am overly self-critical.

18. Since starting medical school,

I feel unsure of my abilities as a student.

19. Since starting medical school,

I hardly have enough time to get things done.

20. Since starting medical school,

I feel overwhelmed by everything there is to do.

21. Since starting medical school,

I struggle maintaining a healthy school-life balance.

22. Since starting medical school,

I think about dropping out of school.