Self-Care Practices and Perceived Stress Levels Among Psychology Graduate Students

It is well known that stress among psychology graduate students can negatively impact academic performance, clinical skills, and personal well-being. However, less is known about factors related to stress management among psychology graduate students. The current study examined self-care practices and perceived stress among psychology graduate students Four hundred eighty-eight psychology graduate students from across the United States completed an anonymous survey of self-care practices and stress. Multiple regression analyses indicated that sleep hygiene, social support, emotion regulation, and acceptance within a mindfulness framework were significantly related to perceived stress. Results suggest that educating students about self-care practices can be an integral part of helping students manage stress associated with clinical training.