Psychological stress among undergraduate medical students

Med J Malaysia. 2004 Jun;59(2):207-11.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of psychological stress among medical students and to identify its symptoms and association with depression. A cross-sectional study design was used. Three-hundred and ninety-six medical students at a university in Malaysia were included in the study. Tools similar to the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to screen for psychological stress and depression, respectively. 41.9% of the medical students were found to have psychological stress, which was significantly associated with depression (chi2=4.636, df=1, p<0.05). Psychological stress is common among medical students and is associated with depression.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Depression / etiology
  • Education, Medical, Undergraduate
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Malaysia / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Stress, Psychological / complications
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology*
  • Students, Medical / psychology*