Stress in first-year Egyptian and Saudi female medical students: a cross cultural comparison

IntroductionCollege students, especially freshmen, are particularly prone to stress due to the transitional nature of college life. However most of studies in this context were conducted in Western Europe and North America with only few recent studies conducted in the Arab world. This study sought to determine whether there was a difference in perceived stress levels of female medical students at Mansoura University, Egypt, and King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.MethodsThe sample consisted of first year female medical students. The self-reported questionnaire covered four categories, including 13 items, of sources of stress (stressors).Perceived stress scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to measure stress, anxiety and depression.ResultsThere is no significant difference between the two groups regarding number of stressors. However, Saudi students were more likely to cite emotional problems, excessive workload and fear of future. The most common items in Egyptian students were financial and environmental problems. Prevalence of stress and clinical anxiety was higher in the Saudi sample. Logistic regression analyses of independent predictors of high level of stress among both groups combined were Saudi nationality, larger family size, clinical depression and clinical anxiety.ConclusionsPerceived stress and anxiety are frequent among Saudi students. This information could be useful in designing preventive mental health programs that should be an integral part of the routine clinical facilities caring for medical students to help them to cope with the increasing demands of medical education.

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841 The psychological impact of Foundation Interim Year 1 Placements on Final Year UK Medical Students Transitioning to Foundation Year One During the COVID Era

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab134.093 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

M Durand-Hill ◽

D I Ike ◽

A N Nijhawan ◽

A B Shah ◽

A Dawson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Hospital Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Scale ◽

The Uk

Abstract Introduction During the COVID pandemic, the 2019-2020 cohort of final year students were invited to participate in Foundation interim Year 1 placements (FiY1). FiY1 aimed to ease transition to Foundation Year 1 doctor (FY1). We assessed the psychological impact of FiY1 on final year medical students. Method A cross-sectional survey was distributed to final year medical students in the UK between June 4th and July 4th, 2020. The survey contained the following domains: participant demographics, rationale for FiY1 participation, a checklist of the key safety principles for FiY1s, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress scale-4. Results 107 final years responded to the survey. 72.0% (n = 77) of final year students surveyed were working as FiY1s. Final year students participating in FiY1 postings had reduced rates of anxiety (29.9% vs 43.4%, P = 0.186), depression (5.2% vs 20.0%, P = 0.018) and lower perceived stress levels (5.0 vs 7.2, P < 0.001). 19.5% (15/77) FiY1s reported working beyond their competency, 27.3% (22/77) felt unsupervised, but 94.8% (73/77) of FiY1s felt the post prepared them for FY1. Conclusions Students participating in FiY1 postings felt less stressed and depressed than those not participating in the scheme and the majority felt it was preparing them for FY1.

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Does Coaching in the 3rd Year of Medical School Affect Stress, Anxiety and Depression?

10.1101/2021.07.13.21260303 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth F Ross ◽

Timothy D Faw ◽

Kyle Covington

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Undergraduate Education ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Cognitive Responses ◽

Self Awareness ◽

Hospital Anxiety ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Positive Support

Abstract Background: Medical students experience significant stress and anxiety during undergraduate education. Coaching is a possible way of supporting these students throughout this challenging time. To assess the benefits of coaching for medical students, a pilot study providing coaching was performed. This pilot assessed how coaching affected the mental health of medical students and how coaching was received by them. Methods: Twelve third-year medical students were each given eight 30-60 minute coaching sessions. Each participant took the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) pre-, mid-and post-coaching. After coaching, there were three open-ended questions to measure the reactions to coaching and a scale to determine the likelihood of accessing coaching in the future. Results: There was a significant effect of coaching on perceived stress(p=.023); a trend toward significant effect of coaching on anxiety(p=.057); and no effect of coaching on depression. Qualitative analysis indicated Affective responses (gaining perspective and self-awareness); Cognitive responses (goal setting and working through solving problems); and Skills responses (developing reflection abilities and critical thinking). Attributes of coaching included perceiving coaching as a positive, individualized and supportive experience that students were highly likely to access again. Conclusions: Coaching holds promise as an intervention offered to medical students to reduce stress and anxiety, and provide positive support for students, preparing them for their professional futures.

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Serum Melatonin with Respect to Mental Health (Anxiety & Depression) Status of First Year M.B.B.S Students

International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review ◽

10.9734/ijbcrr/2020/v29i630198 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 52-60

Author(s):

Vinita H. Belsare ◽

Arun Tadas ◽

Sanjay Agrawal ◽

Hrishikesh Belsare

Keyword(s):

Light Exposure ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Depression Score ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Melatonin Level ◽

First Year ◽

Melatonin Secretion ◽

Study Results ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Difference

Introduction: Melatonin is a pineal hormone secreted in circadian manner, with a peak during evening and night. Night-time light exposure is a powerful suppressor of nocturnal melatonin secretion. Dopamine and serotonin have complex relationship in melatonin synthesis and secretion. Reduced levels of melatonin have been associated with severe depression. Melatonin exhibits GABA-like effects may be responsible to reduce anxiety. Objectives: To determine the Serum Melatonin levels with respect to bedtime and its correlation with the severity of anxiety and depression. Also, to find the difference in anxiety score, depression score and serum melatonin level with respect to gender. Methods: A cross sectional study was done amongst first year medical students, and anxiety and depression score was calculated using Hamilton’s anxiety and depression scale. Estimation of Serum Melatonin was done on the fasting morning blood samples. Results and Conclusion: The present study shows that there is no significant difference in melatonin secretion in the students with late bedtime. With the increasing severity of the anxiety the serum melatonin was found to be lower, but the difference was not statistically significant. Similar results were observed with depression. The results shows non-significant higher anxiety and depression scores in females as compared to males. The study results also shows the significant high levels of melatonin in males as compared to females. Low melatonin levels in females may be attributed to high anxiety and depression in females.

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AB1333-HPR FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.5842 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1955.3-1955

Author(s):

İ. Akcin ◽

M. Gur ◽

R. Piskin Sagir ◽

B. Oz ◽

A. Karatas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽

Engineering Students ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Engineering Faculty ◽

Significant Difference

Background:At the university, students begin to be responsible for their own life decisions and lifestyles. First year students are required to adapt especially to a new learning environment and to cope with the academic and social demands of vocational education. High academic expectations are stressful and can pose a risk to students mental and physical health. Anxiety and depression are among the most common psychiatric problems among students.Objectives:The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in medical students and to compare students from engineering faculty.Methods:392 (284 faculty of medicine, 108 faculty of engineering) students selected from Firat University Faculty of Medicine and Engineering were included in the study. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) forms were filled in for all participants. Anxiety and depression among students of medical and engineering were examined. Moreover, 2016 ACR FMS classification criteria was used to select the student who have FMS.Results:In our sample, 185 (47.1%) and 207 (52.9%) of participants were male and female, respectively. HADS anxiety and HADS depression scores were significantly higher in engineering students than in medical students (mean HADS anxiety and depression scores were 9.07; 10.29, p= 0.007 and 7.61; 8.52, p= 0.039, respectively). While a significant difference was found among medical and engineering students in terms of HADS anxiety and depression scores in men (p<0.001 and p= 0.006), no significant difference was found in women (p= 0.676 and p= 0.278). On the other hand, 46 (16.1%) of medical students and 13 (11.7%) of students from engineering faculty have FMS (p=0.170).Conclusion:FMS prevalences are similar in the medical students and students from engineering faculty. However, anxiety and depression are more common among male engineering students than medical students. This may be related to future employment anxiety among students from engineering faculty.References:[1]Cheung T, et al. Depression, Anxiety and Symptoms of Stress among Baccalaureate Nursing Students in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016 Aug 3;13(8).Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Family Physicians’ Standpoint and Mental Health Assessment in the Light of COVID-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Survey Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18042093 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 2093

Author(s):

Tina Vilovic ◽

Josko Bozic ◽

Marino Vilovic ◽

Doris Rusic ◽

Sanja Zuzic Furlan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Family Physicians ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, family physicians (FPs) are the backbone of the healthcare system with considerable impact on the general population, and their well-being is of great importance. The aim of this investigation was to assess FPs mental health, as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding the pandemic, and opinions on non-communicable disease (NCD) health care provided to patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 613 FPs. Anxiety and depression levels were estimated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, subjective perceived stress with the Perceived Stress Scale, while trauma-related symptoms were assessed using the Impact on Event Scale-COVID19. KAPs toward the pandemic and opinions regarding NCD patients were evaluated with questionnaires accordingly. Results have shown that age (β = −0.02, p = 0.013) and personal risk of COVID‑19 (β = 1.05, p < 0.001) were significant independent correlates of the knowledge score. A total of 87.7% FPs expressed moderate/high perceived stress, 45.2% moderate/severe trauma-related symptoms, 60.4% borderline/abnormal anxiety levels, and 52.4% borderline/abnormal depression levels. Knowledge score was an independent predictor of perceived stress (β = −0.33, p = 0.023) and anxiety (β = −0.31, p = 0.006) levels. Limited accessibility to healthcare services and decreased number of newly-diagnosed NCD cases were mostly agreed on. The pandemic puts a considerable strain on FPs mental health, as well as on public health measures, due to the decreased overall quality of NCD patient health care. Educational programs may bridge the gaps between FPs’ knowledge. Thus lowering anxiety and improving patient care.

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Co-dependency in mothers of addicted persons: Data from Bulgaria

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2333 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S623-S623

Author(s):

D. Ivanova ◽

V. Giannouli

Keyword(s):

State Anxiety ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Future Research ◽

High School Degree ◽

Helping Relationship ◽

Competing Interest ◽

High Level ◽

University Degree

IntroductionCo-dependent relationships are characterized as a type of dysfunctional helping relationship in which there is an excessive reliance on other people for approval and identity. This is very common for female relatives who support/enable another person's addiction, poor mental health, immaturity, and/or irresponsibility.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to reveal the co-dependence profile of mothers of addicted persons in Bulgaria.MethodFour hundred Bulgarian women coming from Blagoevgrad, Sofia and Stara Zagora (Mage = 53.55, SDage = 5.58; level of education: 71% with high school degree, 29%with university degree; all mothers of addicted persons) were examined at the Municipal Council on Drug Addiction Blagoevgrad with the STAI-state questionnaire, the ZUNG Self Rating Depression Scale and the Questionnaire of Establishment of Codependency.ResultsResults indicated that in a scale of scores ranging from 2 = minimum to 4 = maximum of co-dependence, this group of women had high self-reported levels of co-dependence (M = 3.6375, SD = .52610), a high depressive profile (M = 49.07, SD = 3.23, and high state anxiety (M = 66.60, SD = 5.58).ConclusionsThe present research suggests that mothers of dependent individuals in Bulgaria show a high level of co-dependency, anxiety and depression. Future research should clarify the reasons of this overall negative emotional profile.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Abdominal Bloating

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/070674379303800703 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 38 (7) ◽

pp. 475-479 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Ji-Yung Song ◽

Harold Merskey ◽

Stephen Sullivan ◽

Sam Noh

Keyword(s):

Crohn’S Disease ◽

Crohn's Disease ◽

Sex Education ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Normal Subjects ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Childhood Experience ◽

Personality Variables ◽

Abdominal Bloating ◽

Significant Difference

Eighteen patients with a syndrome of abdominal bloating and discomfort were examined to explore the relationship between their symptoms and their emotional problems. They were compared with 33 patients with Crohn's disease and 38 normal, healthy volunteers. Using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, patients with bloating were found to resemble patients with Crohn's disease. Both groups showed increased anxiety and depression. After controlling for age, sex, education, occupation, personality variables and childhood experience, there was a trend towards more anxiety in the bloating group compared with normal subjects and a significant difference for depression. These characteristics appear to be related to the effects of the illness or to selection, but not to personality or childhood experience. Although psychiatric problems are common among patients with abdominal bloating and pain who stay in touch with a clinic, they are not the primary cause of the disorder.

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Postpartum psychiatric illness in Arab culture: Prevalence and psychosocial correlates

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.171.1.65 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 171 (1) ◽

pp. 65-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

R. Ghubash ◽

M. T. Abou-Saleh

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Postpartum Depression ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Western Europe ◽

Arab World ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Self Report ◽

Arab Culture ◽

Industrialised Countries

BackgroundThere have been numerous studies of the prevalence of postpartum depression and its putative risk factors in Western Europe and North America, but very few studies in developing countries including the Arab world.MethodNinety-five women admitted to the New Dubai Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for childbirth were studied. All subjects were assessed in the postpartum period using clinical and socio-cultural instruments: the Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ) at day 2, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at day 7, and the Present State Examination (PSE) at week 8 ± 2 and week 30 ± 2 after delivery.ResultsThe prevalence rate of psychiatric morbidity was 24.5% by the SRQ, 17.8% by the EPDS, and 15.8% by the PSE. A number of psychosocial factors emerged as putative risk factors for postpartum depression.ConclusionsThe prevalence rates of postpartum psychiatric morbidity and its risk factors in this Arab culture are similar to the results obtained in numerous previous studies in industrialised countries. These findings have implications for the early detection and care of women at risk for postpartum depression.

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The Relationship between Mental Health with the Level of Empathy Among Medical Students in Southern Thailand: A University-Based Cross- Sectional Study

Siriraj Medical Journal ◽

10.33192/smj.2021.108 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 73 (12) ◽

pp. 832-840

Author(s):

Katti Sathaporn ◽

Jarurin Pitanupong

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Clinical Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Significant Difference ◽

High Level

Objective: To determine the level of and factors associated with empathy among medical students.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed all first- to sixth-year medical students at the Facultyof Medicines, Prince of Songkla University, at the end of the 2020 academic year. The questionnaires consisted of:1) The personal and demographic information questionnaire, 2) The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, and 3) ThaiMental Health Indicator-15. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and factors associated with empathylevel were assessed via chi-square and logistic regression analyses.Results: There were 1010 participants with response rate of 94%. Most of them were female (59%). More than half(54.9%) reported a high level of empathy. There was a statistically significant difference in empathy levels betweenpre-clinical and clinical medical students; in regards to empathy subgroups (P-value < 0.001). The assessment ofemotional states in others by demonstrating appropriate sensitivity behavior, altruism, and empathic respondingscores among the pre-clinical group were higher than those of the clinical group. Multivariate analysis indicatedthat female gender, pre-clinical training level, and minor specialty preference were factors associated with empathylevel. The protective factor that significantly improved the level of empathy was having fair to good mental health.Conclusion: More than half of the surveyed medical students reported a high level of empathy. The protective factorthat improved the level of empathy was good mental health. However, future qualitative methods, longitudinalsurveillance, or long-term follow-up designs are required to ensure the trustworthiness of these findings.

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Rates of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms among Female Undergraduate Medical Students at National Medical College and Teaching Hospital

IRA-International Journal of Management & Social Sciences (ISSN 2455-2267) ◽

10.21013/jmss.v14.n2sp.p17 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 171

Author(s):

Sandesh Sawant ◽

Garima Tripathi ◽

Tripti Pal Raman

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Medical Students ◽

Family History ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Drop Out ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Female Undergraduate ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

The Mean

Background: Literature states that Depression and anxiety symptoms carry impairment to medical students, including poor academic performance, drop out, substance abuse and suicide. A high prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students has been reported worldwide. Higher prevalence is noticed among female students.Aim/Objectives: To study rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among female undergraduate medical students.Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study. The purposive sampling method was used. Duration of study was 6 months. A total number of participants’ were 100. Self-developed questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale were used. Results: Findings showed that the mean score of anxiety symptoms was 8.08 (SD± 4.07). Similarly, the mean score of Depressive symptoms was 4.99(SD± 3.28). Fifty-two per cent of the students rated anxiety symptoms and 25% of the student rated depressive symptoms between borderline to the abnormal range. Total 9% of the students reported that they have a family history of mental illness among which 8% reported borderline to an abnormal range of anxiety however 52 % who had no family history also scored the same range. Similarly, 17% of the students reported there were life events which were stressful among which 13% scored borderline to abnormal range anxiety symptoms. Likewise, only 5% of the students scored borderline to the abnormal range of depressive symptoms.Conclusion: It was observed that female undergraduate medical students experience both anxiety and depressive symptoms however the percentage of depressive symptoms were less compared to anxiety symptoms. Further studies are required to evaluate the associated factors responsible for depressive and anxiety symptoms.

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