Factors that predict depression in medical students

Introduction: High prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms has been observed in medical students. Objective: To identify predictors of depressive symptoms according to CES-D in students during their first year of medical education. Methods: We evaluated 517 students in their first year of medical education with the following instruments: Centers for Epidemiology Studies for Depression Scale, State-Trait anxiety inventory, and stressors list. A linear regression analysis was carried out to evaluate variables predicting high CES-D scores. Results: We observed that anxiety and depressive symptoms were more frequent in women, as well as stressors. Predictors of depression were state of anxiety, stressors, and low socioeconomic level. Conclusions: It is important to implement support measures for students who live with stress factors, suffering anxiety, or with a low socioeconomic level.