<![CDATA[Length of hospital stay is a key factor influencing patient stress, especially among individuals in surgical wards who face both physical and psychological challenges. Unmanaged stress may delay recovery and reduce quality of life. This study aimed to examine the relationship between length of stay and stress levels among patients in the surgical ward of Dr. Rasidin Padang Hospital. A quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of 72 patients selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the DASS-21 stress questionnaire and an observation sheet to record length of stay. Univariate analysis described the frequency distribution, while bivariate analysis using the Chi-square test assessed the relationship between variables. Results showed that most respondents had a length of stay of 5 days (58.3%) and experienced moderate stress levels (45.8%). The bivariate analysis indicated a significant relationship between length of stay and stress levels (p-value = 0.002), with longer hospitalization associated with higher stress. In conclusion, length of treatment is significantly related to patient stress levels. These findings highlight the importance of implementing stress management interventions, including patient education, psychological support, and regular mental health monitoring, to improve care quality and promote faster recovery.]]>
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