Investigating association of residential status with depression, anxiety and stress levels among undergraduate medical students: a comparative cross-sectional study
Jul 2026· International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health· Vol 13, pp. 4082-4086· 0 citations· 11 references
TL;DR
Higher prevalence among non-hostellers suggests that additional factors may contribute to psychological distress among medical students in Pakistan, and institutional-based mental health support programs and policy interventions are urgently needed.
Abstract
Background: The study was done to compare the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress between hosteller and non-hosteller medical students and to determine the association between type of residence and scores on the depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21).
Methods: The study included 219 MBBS students selected through convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire consisting of demographic details and the DASS-21 scale was used to collect data. The data was entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare DASS-21 scores between hostellers and non-hostellers, while the Chi-square test assessed the association between residential status and categorical severity levels.
Results: Out of 219 participants, 111 were non-hostellers, and 108 were hostellers. Descriptive analysis indicated a higher prevalence of extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress among non-hostellers. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in depression (p=0.272), anxiety (p=0.290), or stress (p=0.706). Similarly, no significant association was found between residential status and categorical severity levels of depression (p=0.781), anxiety (p=0.812), or stress (p=0.665).
Conclusions: Residential status was not significantly associated with depression, anxiety, or stress among medical students. However, higher prevalence among non-hostellers suggests that additional factors may contribute to psychological distress among medical students in Pakistan. Institutional-based mental health support programs and policy interventions are urgently needed to address this issue.
Introduction: Medical education is not only stressful environment but notoriously rigorous, often predisposing medical students to significant amount of psychological distress. Mental health issues among medical students can contribute negative impact in both personal well-being and professional development.
Aims: To assess the levels of stress, anxiety and depression among medical students and evaluate their associations with socio demographic factors and academic performance.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 143 medical students enrolled at a medical college. Data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, academic satisfaction, and levels of psychological distress (stress, anxiety, and depression) were collected. Data analysis was performed using statistical software, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant to determine associations between variables.
Results: Of the 143 participants, the majority were aged 21–25 years (65.7%), male (76.9%), and unmarried (97.9%), and resided in hostels (90.2%). Non-clinical students constituted 51.7% of the sample, and 67.8% reported satisfaction with their academic performance. Psychological distress was prevalent: 30.8% experienced stress (ranging from mild to extremely severe), 62.9% suffered from anxiety, and 48.3% reported depression. Extremely severe anxiety was notably high at 18.9%. Bivariate analysis revealed that anxiety levels were significantly associated with marital status (p = 0.022) and the level of education (p = 0.016), with non-clinical students experiencing higher rates of severe (9.5%) and extremely severe (28.4%) anxiety compared to clinical students. No statistically significant associations were observed between potential risk factors and stress (p > 0.05) or depression (p > 0.05). However, descriptive trends indicated higher psychological distress among students with unsatisfactory academic performance, younger age (≤ 20 years), and those in non-clinical years.
Conclusion: Psychological distress particularly anxiety and depression is highly prevalent among medical students, with non-clinical students showing significantly higher vulnerability to severe anxiety. These findings highlight an urgent need for institutional mental health screening, stress management interventions, and robust academic support systems, particularly during the transitional non-clinical years of medical training.
Binus Bhandari, D. Khadka· Journal of Nepalgunj Medical...· 0 citations
Background Several factors affect the presence of mental health problems in university students and teachers. However, in the Andean region, the identification of these factors is rare. Objective This study sought to evaluate the factors associated with depression, anxiety and perceived stress in students and teachers at a university located in the Andean region. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023, including students and teachers with at least one academic cycle at a Peruvian public university in the Andean region. Online surveys were used to collect sociodemographic and clinical data, and validated questionnaires for depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7) and stress (PSS-10) were applied. Descriptive analyses and adjusted regressions were performed to identify significant associations. Results A total of 1275 individuals with a median age of 22 years participated; 43.6% were women. A total of 69.3% of the participants reported signs of depression, 62.2% reported anxiety, and 78.4% reported stress. Compared with those aged 20–39 years, students younger than 20 years presented a greater prevalence of mental health problems. A personal mental health history was associated with a greater prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in students and a greater prevalence of anxiety in teachers. Family history was associated with a greater prevalence of depression and anxiety in students and teachers. Conclusions Sociodemographic and clinical factors are associated with mental health problems in students and teachers in the Andean region. It is essential to consider these particularities to develop effective interventions to address mental health in these settings.
Rosario Yslado-Méndez, S. Escobar-Agreda, David Villareal-Zegarra et al.· F1000Research· 0 citations
Objective: To find the frequency of depression, anxiety and stress among university students, and to ascertain the condition’s association with physical inactivity.
Method: The cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted from November 2023 to May 2024 at the Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan, and comprised students belonging to three universities. Data was collected using a predesigned questionnaire that also included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to check physical inactivity and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale to assess depression, anxiety and stress levels. Data was analysed using SPSS 25.
Results: Of the 400 participants, with a mean age of 22 years (±3.89years), 233(58.25%) were male, 167(41.75%) were female, 286(71.5%) were studying medicine, and 114(28.5%) were enrolled in non-medical degrees. Physical inactivity was significantly associated with anxiety, depression and stress (p=0.001). Female students reported lower activity and higher rates of anxiety, depression and stress. Nuclear families tended to have better mental health, while joint families showed more extreme cases of anxiety and depression. The nature of the degree in which a student was enrolled had no significant association. A similar result was observed for residence (rural or urban).
Conclusion: Physical inactivity was found to be significantly associated with anxiety, depression and stress, indicating the need for a prompt targeted intervention.
Key Words: Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Sedentary behaviour, Exercise.
Asim Minallah, Abdul Wahab, Humna Javed et al.· JOURNAL OF PAKISTAN MEDICAL...· 0 citations
Mental health issues are an increasing challenge for public health, affecting all populations, especially women. This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among reproductive-aged women. This study was conducted on a sample of 376 Iranian women aged 20-50. Socio-demographic status, dietary intake, physical activity, mental health status, and anthropometric status were assessed using a general demographic questionnaire, a food frequency questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) questionnaire, and a digital scale and wall-mounted stadiometer, respectively. To assess the association of mental problems with potential factors, binary logistic regression was used. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms was 47.6%, 52.4%, and 38.3%, respectively. In the adjusted analysis, a higher wealth index (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12-0.66) and higher dietary diversity (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.12-0.46) were associated with lower odds of depression. Larger household size (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.06-2.74) and higher dietary diversity (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17-0.61) were associated with anxiety, while overweight (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.28-3.49) and higher dietary diversity (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.24-0.87) were associated with stress. Findings revealed a high prevalence of mental health issues among Iranian women. Several factors, especially dietary quality, can influence mental health. Further studies with larger sample sizes and a prospective cohort design are necessary to understand this relationship better.
PIL in older adults was negatively associated with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, even after controlling for sociodemographic variables and subjective health perception, underscore the need for integrated strategies to promote mental health and purpose in life in aging populations.
T. Vasconcellos, G. Cipolli, V. Campos et al.· Geriatrics Gerontology and A...· 0 citations
Background: Common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress are increasingly reported among young adults, particularly college students. Evidence from India suggests that socio-economic disadvantage and social stratification may influence mental health outcomes; however, limited data exist focusing specifically on students from socially reserved categories. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress and to examine their socio-demographic correlates among undergraduate students belonging to reserved social categories in a rural college of West Bengal.
Methods: A census-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 176 undergraduate students aged 18–24 years belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in a government college of Purulia district. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Scores were categorized using standard cut-offs. Associations between socio-demographic variables and outcomes were assessed using the chi-square test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 34.1%, 42.0% and 43.2%, respectively. Nearly half of the participants (48.9%) had at least one form of mental morbidity. Most cases were mild to moderate; however, severe to extremely severe forms were observed in 3.9% (depression), 14.2% (anxiety) and 9.1% (stress). No statistically significant associations were found between socio-demographic variables and mental health outcomes.
Conclusions: A substantial burden of psychological morbidity was observed among students from reserved social categories, highlighting an important yet underexplored vulnerable group. Targeted mental health interventions and institutional support systems are needed. Future research using qualitative or mixed-method approaches is recommended to explore contextual and psychosocial determinants not captured in quantitative assessments.
K. Nag, Jayita Pal, S. Sadhukhan et al.· International Journal of Com...· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
