Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Medical Education
Date Submitted: Mar 2, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Mar 5, 2024 - Apr 30, 2024
Date Accepted: Nov 23, 2024
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Exploring Connections Between Mental Health, Burnout, and Academic Factors Among Medical Students at an Iranian University: A Cross-sectional Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Medical students face high levels of burnout and mental health issues during training. Understanding associated factors can inform supportive interventions.
Objective:
Examine burnout, psychological well-being, and related demographics among Iranian medical students.
Methods:
Cross-sectional survey of 131 medical students at an Iranian university. Instruments included the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) plus a psychological symptom checklist (SCL-90). Descriptive, multivariate regression and tests for group differences analyzed data.
Results:
Mean MBI-SS subscale scores showed moderate emotional exhaustion (15.00±7.08) and academic efficacy (14.98±6.29) but lower cynicism (10.85±5.89). The most commonly reported mental health issues were depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Worse psychological wellbeing associated with higher overall burnout, but no gender differences found. Upper academic level linked to changes in all MBI domains.
Conclusions:
Despite health education, sampled students reported considerable burnout and mental health distress which associated strongly. This risks student persistence and post-graduation practice plans. Supporting wellbeing in training is critical for positive student and physician outcomes.
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Copyright
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