Basic psychological needs, more than mindfulness and resilience, relate to medical student stress: A case for shifting the focus of wellness curricula

Abstract

Findings of this study suggest that, while mindfulness and resilience are important qualities for medical student well-being, their stress-protective benefits may diminish when students' basic psychological needs are frustrated in medical school. Addressing potentially need-thwarting aspects of the learning environment is therefore recommended, to help reduce student stress and promote their well-being. Preliminary suggestions on how this might be achieved are discussed, from an SDT perspective.