Stressful life events-Effect on mental health of medical students

Background: Stressful environment during medical education affects the mental health of students. Anxiety and depression are considered as reliable indicators of mental illness in an individual. Objectives: To assess the burden of stressors and their correlation with anxiety and depression among undergraduate medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 medical students, selected by stratified random sampling method. Modified Life Events Inventory (LEI) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered. Data was analysed with SPSS version 17. Chi-square test, Spearman rank correlation and logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: Among the 400 students (45.3% boys & 54.7 % girls), 44.7% had stress due to workload and 31.3% were stressed due to dissatisfaction with studies. About 72.4% were stressed due to staying away from family, 34.7% due to debt, 20.7% due to major illness and 13% due to death of family members or friends. About 24.5% students had anxiety and 60.3% reported depression. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between boys and girls with anxiety (20.4% & 27.8%) or depression (61.9% & 59.4%). Significant correlation between stressors and HADS was observed (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for counselling and support services for vulnerable students.