The Influence of Religiosity and Spirituality on the Happiness, Optimism, and Pessimism of Brazilian Medical Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 109019812110575
Author(s):  
Luciano Magalhães Vitorino ◽  
Mariana Fernandes Cazerta ◽  
Natália Roriz Corrêa ◽  
Emanuelle dos Passos Foresto ◽  
Marcia Ap. F. de Oliveira ◽  
...  

Background Mental health problems are very common among medical students, becoming a concern for health care professionals and educators. Despite the fact that there is a growing body of literature supporting the role of religiosity and spirituality (RS) on mental health and on positive psychology outcomes, little evidence is available among medical students, a population subjected to important distress. Aims This study aimed to investigate the role of RS on the levels of optimism, pessimism, and happiness among Brazilian medical students. Methods This is a cross-sectional study including medical students from the first to the eighth semester of a private medical school. The instruments used were: TOT-R for optimism and pessimism, Lyubomirsk and Lepper subjective happiness scale, and sociodemographic profile. The independent variables were Brazilian Portuguese Duke University Religiosity Scale for religiosity, Brief Spiritual Religious Coping (SRC) for negative and positive SRC; and Facit-Sp for spiritual well-being. Results A total of 353 medical students were included (response rate 97.51%). Higher levels of intrinsic religiosity and peace were associated with greater happiness and optimism. However, negative SRC was associated with lower levels of happiness and optimism and higher levels of pessimism. Conclusion Medical students tend to use their RS as a resource for dealing with the challenges of medical school, influencing their happiness and optimism. In this context, it seems that religiousness acts in two different ways, not only have positive but also negative outcomes among the participants.

SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402091796
Author(s):  
Iva Burešová ◽  
Martin Jelínek ◽  
Jaroslava Dosedlová ◽  
Helena Klimusová

In line with the current psychological approach to health in general, mental health is perceived not only as the absence of psychopathological disorders, but also the presence of well-being. The study contributes to the identification of possible sources affecting mental health in adolescence. This cross-sectional study focuses on the role of personality traits, dispositional optimism, and perceived social support in predicting mental health in adolescence. Mental health was assessed using Mental Health Continuum, personality traits using Big Five Inventory, dispositional optimism using Life Orientation Test—Revised and social support by Close Relationships and Social Support Scale. The research sample consisted of 1,239 respondents aged 12 to 19 years (mean age 15.56 years), 54.3% females and 45.7 % males. Sequential regression analysis revealed that demographic variables and personality characteristics together explained 33.5% of mental health variance, the strongest predictors being extraversion and neuroticism. Including dispositional optimism and perceived social support resulted in a significant increase of the explained variance. All predictors together explained 46.0% of the mental health variance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-28
Author(s):  
Zaleha Md Isa ◽  
Afraah Amani Anuar ◽  
Amirul Danial Azmi ◽  
Sanjeevaraj Tamil Selvan ◽  
Noor Shafiqah Hisham ◽  
...  

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) consumption among students is known to increase alertness and energy, as well as to alleviate stress. There has been an increase of caffeine consumption amongst young adults. Currently, there are no studies regarding caffeine consumption and its influence on mental health among Malaysians. We aimed to determine the relationship of caffeine consumption with depression, anxiety and stress among medical students. A cross sectional study was conducted among medical students in the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Data were collected via an online survey using two questionnaires, namely the semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaires on Caffeine Intake and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). A total of 262 medical students completed the survey. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 9.2%, 16.8% and 1.1%, respectively. Majority of students (98.5%) consumed caffeine from coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks and chocolate drinks/food. The median daily caffeine consumption among consumers was 67.98 (25th,75th percentile: 24.83, 139.71) mg/day. There was a significant association between race and anxiety (p=0.038) in which the Malay students had the highest prevalence (21.1%), followed by Indian (16.1%), other races (15.4%) and Chinese students (3.8%). Caffeine consumption did not influence mental health of medical students in this study. Anxiety is the most prominent mental health problem among them. We recommend a programme tailored to medical students in recognising symptoms of mental health problems so that early intervention can be carried out.


Author(s):  
Conor Coyle ◽  
Hanya Ghazi ◽  
Ioannis Georgiou

Abstract Background University students have been uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is currently little data upon the measures that medical students and newly qualified doctors have taken to help their mental well-being and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim We aimed to identify the activities respondents found beneficial for their well-being and mental health and recorded a mood score from survey respondents. Methods A nationwide study was completed to investigate the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon medical students and newly qualified doctors (interim foundation year one). We received 2075 respondents from across the UK. Results Physical activity was found to be the most common activity used by the survey respondents to help with their mental well-being (80.1%) (medical students, 83.7%; interim foundation doctors, 72.3%). Participants who stated that exercise helped their well-being had a mean score (SD) of 52.3 (20.7) which was significantly higher (P = 0.048) than those who reported that they did not exercise (49.8 (21.1)). Respondents who stated they had used exercise to help with their mental well-being had (on average) a higher mood score than those who did not. This was seen in both the medical student and interim foundation doctor subgroups. Discussion Exercise can help to benefit the well-being of medical students and interim foundation doctors. It is hoped that higher education providers and employers recognise the importance of promoting physical activity for the well-being of their students and staff, respectively.


2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Lúcia Damásio Moutinho ◽  
◽  
Natalia de Castro Pecci Maddalena ◽  
Ronald Kleinsorge Roland ◽  
Alessandra Lamas Granero Lucchetti ◽  
...  

Summary Objective: To compare the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress in medical students from all semesters of a Brazilian medical school and assess their respective associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study of students from the twelve semesters of a Brazilian medical school was carried out. Students filled out a questionnaire including sociodemographics, religiosity (DUREL - Duke Religion Index), and mental health (DASS-21 - Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale). The students were compared for mental health variables (Chi-squared/ANOVA). Linear regression models were employed to assess factors associated with DASS-21 scores. Results: 761 (75.4%) students answered the questionnaire; 34.6% reported depressive symptomatology, 37.2% showed anxiety symptoms, and 47.1% stress symptoms. Significant differences were found for: anxiety - ANOVA: [F = 2.536, p=0.004] between first and tenth (p=0.048) and first and eleventh (p=0.025) semesters; depression - ANOVA: [F = 2.410, p=0.006] between first and second semesters (p=0.045); and stress - ANOVA: [F = 2.968, p=0.001] between seventh and twelfth (p=0.044), tenth and twelfth (p=0.011), and eleventh and twelfth (p=0.001) semesters. The following factors were associated with (a) stress: female gender, anxiety, and depression; (b) depression: female gender, intrinsic religiosity, anxiety, and stress; and (c) anxiety: course semester, depression, and stress. Conclusion: Our findings revealed high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in medical students, with marked differences among course semesters. Gender and religiosity appeared to influence the mental health of the medical students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muna Silwal ◽  
Dipti Koirala ◽  
Sabita Koirala ◽  
Anju Lamichhane

Introduction: Mental health is as important as physical health to respond to COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has increased social isolation and fear regarding health and well-being as well as a dilemma which can lead to mental health problems among general people and health workers.Thus the main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among nurses working in a hospital of Nepal during the period of Corona lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 152 nurses working at Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre of Kaski district of Nepal. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic items and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) scale from 11 April to 18 April, 2020. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 applying descriptive statistics and inferential statistical method. Results: Respondent's mean age and SD was 24.09 + 3.19 years. The sample mean score of DASS-42 was 29.46 (SD 25.37). Depression, anxiety and stress were prevalent among 39.5%, 50% and 25.7% of the respondents respectively. There was significant association of depression with education level (χ2 =6.597; p=0.01) and working unit (χ2 =8.187; p=0.004). Anxiety was significantly associated with working unit (χ2 =6.973; p=0.008) and children status (χ2 =4.199; p=0.040). Stress was significantly associated with age (χ2 =4.906; p=0.027), working unit (χ2 =4.984; p=0.026) and children status (χ2 =5.653; p=0.017). Conclusion: Based on findings, it can be concluded that some degree of depression, anxiety and stress were prevalent among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic. Further assessment should be made to confirm the respective diagnoses. Stress and anxiety relieving sessions and psychological support programs may help for the nurses with higher than cut-offs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muge Akpinar-Elci ◽  
Shanomae Rose ◽  
Michele Kekeh

AbstractGuyana has annually experienced excessive rainfall and flooding since 2005. This study investigated the general well-being and mental health problems among occupants of households affected by the December 2008 flooding in Guyana. A cross-sectional study design was used to administer validated questionnaires, which included sections on demographics, environmental exposure, general health, and personal behavior. The response rate to the survey was 70% (130/185). The findings indicate an increased self-reported poor health for study participants who smelled moldy odors inside of their home (OR: 4.1, 95% CI: 2.0‐12.0) and for individuals who had mold or mildew inside of their homes (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2‐7.5). Individuals whose homes had flooded previously were also shown to be slightly more at risk for experiencing diminished interest in daily activities (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 0.5‐2.9) as well as diminished involvement in social activities (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 0.7‐4.8). Also, participants who had their houses previously flooded reported an increased difficulty in concentrating (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 0.9‐6.4). Flooding might be a possible risk factor for well-being and mental health problems among the occupants of affected households.


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