The Importance of Stress Management

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 110 views

The Relationship Between Stress Levels and Dandruff Events in Students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, Class of 2016

Dandruff is a common problem that affects many people, particularly teenagers and young adults. This condition is caused by a fungal infection that leads to exfoliation on the scalp, characterized by the emergence of squama. In the medical world, stress is considered one of the main causes of dandruff. Stress can trigger sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, creating an ideal environment for the growth of malassezia fungi, thereby increasing the risk of dandruff. This study aims to observe the relationship between stress levels and dandruff events among students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2016.

Dandruff is a common problem that affects many people, especially among teenagers and young adults. This condition is caused by a fungal infection that creates exfoliation on the scalp, characterized by the emergence of squama. In the medical world, one of the main causes of dandruff is stress. Stress can trigger sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, which is an ideal environment for the growth of malassezia fungi, thereby increasing the risk of dandruff. Stress is a significant factor that contributes to the development of dandruff, and it is essential to understand the relationship between stress levels and dandruff events.

The Importance of Stress Management

Stress management is crucial in preventing dandruff. When students experience high levels of stress, it can lead to an increase in sebum production, creating an ideal environment for the growth of malassezia fungi. This can result in the development of dandruff. Therefore, it is essential to manage stress levels effectively to prevent dandruff. Effective stress management techniques, such as meditation, exercise, and relaxation, can help reduce stress levels and prevent dandruff.

This research is observational analytic with a cross-sectional approach, which takes samples from students of the 2016 medical faculty. Sampling techniques used are simple random sampling, which ensures that each student has the same opportunity to be involved in this study. Primary data obtained through the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) questionnaire that has been translated and validated, to measure the level of stress of the participant. In addition, inspection of the scalp is carried out to assess the rate of dandruff. The data obtained were then analyzed using the SPSS computer program to get accurate results.

Of the total 68 samples studied, as many as 44 students (64.8%) experienced dandruff problems. The dominance of the stress level found in the sample is a normal level, which reaches 36.8%. The results of the bivariate analysis showed a p-value of 0.563, which means there was no significant relationship between stress levels and dandruff events in the student.

This study shows surprising results, namely the absence of a significant correlation between stress and dandruff incidence. This can be caused by several factors. First, the level of stress experienced by students can vary depending on the way they manage academic pressure and personal life. Students with normal stress levels may have a better coping mechanism, so it does not show a significant impact on the health of their scalp.

Second, environmental factors, such as eating patterns, hygiene of the scalp, and the use of hair care products, also contribute to the events of dandruff. Some students may use anti-dandruff products or maintain better hair cleanliness, which can help them overcome the problem of dandruff despite stress.

Third, this research is also limited by the number of samples and data collection time. Further research with a larger sample size and a more diverse measurement method is needed to provide a more comprehensive picture of the relationship between stress and dandruff.

Based on research conducted, it can be concluded that there is no significant relationship between stress levels and dandruff events in students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2016. Although stress is known as one of the risk factors of dandruff, these results indicate that other variables also play an important role in influencing scalp health. Therefore, more attention must be given to other factors that can influence the events of dandruff to develop more effective prevention strategies.

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research: Further research is needed to provide a more comprehensive picture of the relationship between stress and dandruff.
Larger sample size: A larger sample size is needed to ensure that the results are generalizable to the population.
More diverse measurement method: A more diverse measurement method is needed to capture the complexity of the relationship between stress and dandruff.
Stress management: Effective stress management techniques should be promoted to prevent dandruff.
Environmental factors: Environmental factors, such as eating patterns, hygiene of the scalp, and the use of hair care products, should be taken into account when developing prevention strategies.

By following these recommendations, we can develop more effective prevention strategies for dandruff and improve the health and well-being of students.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Relationship Between Stress Levels and Dandruff Events

A: The relationship between stress levels and dandruff events is complex and not fully understood. While stress is known to contribute to the development of dandruff, this study found no significant correlation between stress levels and dandruff events in students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2016.

A: Dandruff is caused by a combination of factors, including:

Fungal infection: Malassezia fungi are a common cause of dandruff.
Sebum production: Stress can trigger sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, creating an ideal environment for the growth of malassezia fungi.
Environmental factors: Eating patterns, hygiene of the scalp, and the use of hair care products can also contribute to the development of dandruff.

A: Effective stress management techniques, such as meditation, exercise, and relaxation, can help reduce stress levels and prevent dandruff. By managing stress effectively, individuals can reduce the production of sebum and create an environment that is less conducive to the growth of malassezia fungi.

A: Some effective stress management techniques include:

Meditation: Meditation can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.
Exercise: Regular exercise can help reduce stress levels and improve overall health.
Relaxation: Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.
Time management: Effective time management can help reduce stress levels by allowing individuals to prioritize tasks and manage their time more effectively.

A: Some environmental factors that can contribute to the development of dandruff include:

Eating patterns: A diet that is high in processed foods and sugar can contribute to the development of dandruff.
Hygiene of the scalp: Poor hygiene of the scalp can contribute to the development of dandruff.
Use of hair care products: The use of hair care products that contain harsh chemicals can contribute to the development of dandruff.

A: Individuals can prevent dandruff by:

Managing stress effectively: Effective stress management techniques can help reduce stress levels and prevent dandruff.
Maintaining good hygiene: Regular washing of the scalp and hair can help prevent dandruff.
Using gentle hair care products: The use of gentle hair care products can help prevent dandruff.
Eating a healthy diet: A diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help prevent dandruff.

A: Some common symptoms of dandruff include:

Flaking skin: Dandruff is characterized by the presence of flaking skin on the scalp.
Itching: Dandruff can cause itching and irritation on the scalp.
Redness: Dandruff can cause redness and inflammation on the scalp.

A: Individuals can diagnose dandruff by:

Examining the scalp: A visual examination of the scalp can help diagnose dandruff.
Feeling the scalp: A gentle touch of the scalp can help diagnose dandruff.
Using a scalp brush: A scalp brush can help remove flaking skin and diagnose dandruff.

A: Some treatment options for dandruff include:

Medicated shampoos: Medicated shampoos can help treat dandruff by reducing inflammation and preventing the growth of malassezia fungi.
Topical creams: Topical creams can help treat dandruff by reducing inflammation and preventing the growth of malassezia fungi.
Oral medications: Oral medications can help treat dandruff by reducing inflammation and preventing the growth of malassezia fungi.

A: Individuals can prevent dandruff from coming back by:

Maintaining good hygiene: Regular washing of the scalp and hair can help prevent dandruff from coming back.
Using gentle hair care products: The use of gentle hair care products can help prevent dandruff from coming back.
Eating a healthy diet: A diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help prevent dandruff from coming back.
Managing stress effectively: Effective stress management techniques can help prevent dandruff from coming back.