Los estudios superiores representan el punto culminante del estrés académico, proceso multifactorial complejo, con alta carga de trabajo. El inventario SISCO del estrés académico posee buenas propiedades psicométricas para sus subescalas de Estresores, Sintomatología y para la puntuación media total, no así para la subescala de Afrontamiento. El objetivo de este artículo es corroborar lo reportado previamente en base a un análisis psicométrico completo. En 1126 estudiantes universitarios, se obtuvieron buenas propiedades psicométricas para las subescalas de Estresores y Sintomatología, con un buen ajuste en el análisis factorial confirmatorio, en base a una estructura de cuatro factores. La subescala de Sintomatología quedó conformada por las subescalas Reacciones físicas y psicológicas y por Reacciones del comportamiento social. La subescala de Afrontamiento mantiene propiedades psicométricas deficientes. La puntuación para el total de los ítems del instrumento muestra buenas propiedades psicométricas (alfa de Cronbach y omega de 0.820 y 0.860, respectivamente). Se corrobora lo reportado previamente, avalándose la necesidad de más estudios, y la modificación del instrumento, en especial la subescala de Afrontamiento.

Introduction: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for brain physiological processes influencing memory and learning. BDNF levels can be affected by many factors, including stress. Stress increase serum and salivary cortisol levels. Academic stress is of the chronic type. BDNF levels can be measure from serum, plasma or platelets, and there is still no standard methodology, which is relevant to ensure reproducibility and comparability between studies. Hypothesis: (i) BDNF concentrations in serum show greater variability than in plasma. (ii) In college students with academic stress, peripheral BDNF decreases and salivary cortisol increases. General objective: To standardize plasma and serum collection for BDNF levels and to determine whether academic stress affects peripheral BDNF and salivary cortisol levels. Design: Quantitative research, with a non-experimental cross-sectional descriptive design. Participants: Student volunteers. Under convenience sampling, 20 individuals will be included for standardization of plasma and serum collection and between 70 and 80 individuals to determine the effect of academic stress on BDNF and salivary cortisol. Peripheral blood and salivary cortisol sampling, measurements: 12 mL of peripheral blood (with and without anticoagulant) will be drawn per participant, separated from plasma or serum and cryopreserved at -80°C. Additionally, they will be instructed in the collection of 1 mL of saliva samples, which will be centrifuged. Val66Met polymorphism will be performed by allele-specific PCR, while BDNF and salivary cortisol levels will be determined by ELISA. Statistical analysis: (i) descriptive analysis of the variables, through measures of central tendency and dispersion, and the categorical variables through their frequency and percentage. (ii) Then a bivariate analysis will be performed comparing groups using each variable separately. Expected results: We expect to (i) determine the analytical factors that allow a better reproducibility in the measurement of peripheral BDNF, and (ii) the effect of academic stress on BDNF and salivary cortisol levels.

In a competitive and demanding world, academic stress is of increasing concern to students. This systemic, adaptive, and psychological process is composed of stressful stimuli, imbalance symptoms, and coping strategies. The SISCO-II Academic Stress Inventory (SISCO-II-AS) is a psychometric instrument validated in Chile. It evaluates stressors, symptoms, and coping, both individually and globally. For its practical interpretation, a scale is required. Therefore, this study aims to descriptively analyze the SISCO-II-AS and to obtain its corresponding scales. Employing a non-experimental quantitative approach, we administered the SISCO-II-AS to 1,049 second and third-year students from three Chilean universities, with a disproportionate gender representation of 75.21% female to 24.79% male participants. Through descriptive and bivariate analysis, we established norms based on percentiles. For the complete instrument and its subscales, significant differences by sex were identified, with magnitudes varying from small to moderate. For the full instrument and its subscales, bar scale norms by percentile and sex are presented. Each subscale (stressors, physical and psychological reactions, social behavioural reactions, total reaction, and coping) has score ranges defined for low, medium, and high levels. These ranges vary according to the sex of the respondent, with notable differences in stressors and physical, psychological, and social behavioural reactions. This study stands out for its broad and heterogeneous sample, which enriches the representativeness of the data. It offers a comprehensive view of academic stress in college students, identifying distinctive factors and highlighting the importance of gender-sensitive approaches. Its findings contribute to understanding and guide future interventions. By offering a descriptive analysis of the SISCO-II-AS inventory and establishing bar norms, this research aids health professionals and educators in better assessing and addressing academic stress in the student population.

Introduction: Academic stress is a prevalent problem among university students, affecting both their psychological well-being and academic performance. This study aims to investigate the mediating roles of biological and psycho-behavioural variables in the relationship between academic stress and academic performance over the course of a semester. Through a longitudinal approach and using accessible data collection technologies, the results will enable the design of effective interventions to mitigate the impact of academic stress. Hypotheses: (i) Biological variables related to academic performance will mediate the relationship between academic stress and students’ academic performance. (ii) Psycho-behavioural variables will also act as mediators in this relationship, impacting academic performance differently. General objective: To explore the mediating roles of biological and psycho-behavioural variables in the relationship between academic stress and academic performance over the course of a university semester. Design: A longitudinal non-experimental observational design will be applied. Data will be collected in three assessment cycles, each consisting of three consecutive weeks during the academic semester. Participants: A sample of 160 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Concepción will be included. Students will be recruited on a voluntary basis through social networks and student associations. Students under psychological or pharmacological treatment will also be included to more representatively reflect the student reality and to ensure the ecological validity of the study. Biological and psycho-behavioural data collection: Participants will answer electronic questionnaires on academic stress and psycho-behavioural variables three times a week via the REDCap platform. In addition, smart devices will be used to continuously collect biological data such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, and sleep patterns. Students will also collect saliva samples three times a week to measure cortisol levels, and alpha-amylase enzyme activity. Statistical analysis: (i) Descriptive analysis of variables will be performed using measures of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables and frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. (ii) Bivariate and multivariate analyses will be conducted to compare groups. (iii) Random intercept cross-lagged models will be used to assess the direction and reciprocal effects between variables over time. To analyze mediations, structural models (SEM) will be applied, considering biological and psycho-behavioural variables as mediators. Expected results: It is anticipated that (i) biological variables, such as cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase, will play a significant mediating role in the relationship between academic stress and academic performance, particularly towards the end of the semester. (ii) psycho-behavioural variables will also have a mediating effect, with different impacts on academic performance depending on the level of stress experienced. The use of accessible technologies and non-invasive methods such as saliva sample collection will provide a replicable model for future research.

Introduction: Academic stress (AS) is a prevalent challenge faced by university students, potentially affecting molecular indicators such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and global DNA methylation (G-DNA-M). These indicators could illuminate the physiological ramifications of academic stress. Study Design and Methods: This research followed a quantitative, non-experimental, longitudinal panel design spanning two academic semesters, observing phenomena in their natural context. Students from the Medical Technology program at Universidad de Concepción, Chile were involved, with assessments at the beginning and during heightened academic stress periods. Sample: Of the total participants, 63.0% were females, with an average age of 21.14 years at baseline, and 36.92% were males, averaging 21.36 years. By the study’s conclusion, female participants averaged 21.95 years, and males 22.13 years. Results: Significant differences were observed between initial and final assessments for the SISCO-II Inventory of Academic Stress and Beck Depression Inventory-II, notably in stressor scores, and physical, and psychological reactions. Gender differences emerged in the final physical and psychological reactions. No significant changes were detected between the two assessments in plasma BDNF or G-DNA-M values. A refined predictive model showcased that, on average, there was a 3.56% decrease in females’ plasma BDNF at the final assessment and a 17.14% decrease in males. In the sample, the G-DNA-M percentage at the final assessment increased by 15.06% from the baseline for females and 18.96% for males. Conclusions: The study underscores the physiological impact of academic stress on university students, evidenced by changes in markers like BDNF and G-DNA-M. These findings offer an in-depth understanding of the intricate mechanisms regulating academic stress responses and highlight the need for interventions tailored to mitigate its physiological and psychological effects.