Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of depression in medical students. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of depression in medical students from May 2018 to April 2019. Depression was diagnosed using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. We evaluated the following potential predictors: demographic data, stressors, psychiatric comorbidities, emotional intelligence (EI), and perceived social support. The association between potential factors and depression was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of depression was 149 of 706 students with 12.5% suicidality. Second- and fourth-year medical students were high-risk groups. Risk factors identified were insufficient income, physical illness, and previous psychiatric illness. Depression in medical students likely coincides with anxiety, internet addiction, sleep problems, and loneliness. Highly associated stressors were personal relationships, physical health, mental health, difficulties in social relationships, satisfaction with grades, and boredom with medical education. Protective EI factors included emotional self-control, problem-solving abilities, inner peace, and life satisfaction. Up to 21.1% of medical students had depression. In this study, among multiple known risk factors of depression, we found that EI is the novel protective factor against depression among medical students. EI training might be protective intervention for medical students in the future.
Highlights
Depression can be characterized by persistent and recurrent sadness or lack of pleasure that eventually impairs a person’s functional ability to work, learn, or cope with daily life
A study from Hawaii proposed the preventive intervention for depression, which consisted of faculty education, medical student counseling, and medical student education [11]
No significant difference in depression was found among those who received a higher income per month
Summary
Depression can be characterized by persistent and recurrent sadness or lack of pleasure that eventually impairs a person’s functional ability to work, learn, or cope with daily life. The World Health Organization reports that the prevalence of depression worldwide is currently 4.4%. The prevalence of depression in medical students is reported to be 3–10 times higher (11.5–48.2%) [1–3]. Among Thai medical students, the prevalence of depression is 27% [4–8]. Depression is the most concerning mental health problem in medical students because it impacts students’ daily life, academic performance, and patient care [9,10]. A study from Hawaii proposed the preventive intervention for depression, which consisted of faculty education, medical student counseling, and medical student education [11]. In Thailand, only screening and counseling is conducted to manage depression among medical students. No program for preventing depression has been established in Thailand. Exploring factors associated with depression among Thai medical students, especially protective factors, is beneficial for developing such a program
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