Reduced Gritty Perseverance Partially Explains the Relationship Between Overinvolved Parenting and Stress in Physician Assistant Graduate Students

Purpose The purpose of this research was to assess the role of noncognitive factors (socioeconomic status [SES], overinvolved parenting, and grit) in predicting perceived stress and grade point average (GPA) among graduate students enrolled in a physician assistant (PA) program. Methods In this cross-sectional survey study, 98 PA students completed surveys measuring SES, overinvolved parenting, grit (passion), grit (perseverance), self-reported GPA, and perceived stress. Results More overinvolved parenting was reported by PA students under the age of 25 years compared to those over the age of 25. Lower SES predicted higher perceived stress. After controlling for SES, grit (perseverance) partially mediated the relationship between overinvolved parenting and perceived stress. Neither parenting style nor grit was associated with GPA. Conclusions Younger PA students reported higher levels of overinvolved parenting. The relationship between experiences with overinvolved parenting and current levels of stress in PA school is partially explained by reduced gritty resilience.