Citation

Brailovskaia J, Teismann T, Lewitzka U, Gao Z, Zhang XC, Margraf J. J. Affect. Disord. Rep. 2022; 9.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100354

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Students worldwide are at marked risk of suicidal ideation/behavior, depression, and low positive mental health (PMH). Medical students are suspected to be a particularly burdened group. On this background, the aim of the present study was to determine prevalence rates of suicidal ideation/behavior, depression and PMH, among Chinese medical students compared to students from other disciplines.

METHODS: A total of 2,695 Chinese students (41.2% women; age: M = 18.86, SD =.60, range: 18-21), including 461 medical students, filled out self-report measures on suicidal ideation/behavior, depression, and PMH.

RESULTS: Twelve-month suicidal ideation was reported by 10.2% of the medical students and by 11.5% of the other students. Medical students had significantly lower levels of depression symptoms and significantly higher levels of PMH than students from other disciplines. Complete mental health - according to the dual-factor model of mental health - was reported by more than 84% of the total sample. Limitations: Data were assessed by a self-report survey that is prone to social desirability.

CONCLUSIONS: Students in the present study displayed high rates of complete mental health - although the survey was conducted in the midst of the Corona pandemic. No evidence was found that medical students are particularly stressed. © 2022

Language: en

Keywords

Depression; Suicidal ideation; Positive mental health; Chinese medical students; Dual-factor model