E-ISSN 2507-1432
 

Original Research
Online Published: 22 Feb 2025
 


Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan

Muhammad Usama, Sufyan Shahid, Muhammad Asad Kamran, Muhammad Hamza Rafiq, Ibrahim Khalid, Muhammad Umar Mansoor.


Abstract
Introduction:
Stress and depression are prevalent conditions among university undergraduate students in developing and developed countries. Stress contributes to depression through diet changes, metabolic disruptions, neurotransmitter imbalances, inflammation, and related health issues.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of stress and depression among medical students in Pakistan.
Methodology:
234 students of RMU from first, third, and final year were surveyed to determine stress and depression. Data was gained via PHQ-9 and PSS-10 and analyzed through SPSS, employing various tests to determine relationship between variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered noteworthy.
Results:
A total of 234 medical students (140 females, 94 males) were enrolled. Mean scores for stress and depression were 21.50 (SD=6.64) and 11.01 (SD=6.4), respectively. Independent sample T-tests revealed significantly higher stress (t(232) = -4.682, p=0.001) and depression (t(232) = -2.798, p=0.006) in females compared to males. One-way ANOVA demonstrated that attendance records significantly influenced depression (f(2,231) = 7.908, p=0.001) and stress (f(2,231) = 6.741, p=0.001). Additionally, stress levels significantly varied with students' academic levels (f(2,231) = 3.429, p=0.034). Pearson correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between stress and depression (r=0.617, N=234, p=0.001), indicating that higher stress levels were associated with increased depression.
Conclusion:
There is a high correlation between stress and depression among medical students in Pakistan. Comprehensive mental health support systems and change in current policies are therefore needed to alleviate the situation.
Keywords:
Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute, Mental Disorders, Depression, Academic Performance.

Key words: Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute, Mental Disorders, Depression, Academic Performance.


 
ARTICLE TOOLS
Abstract
PDF Fulltext
How to cite this articleHow to cite this article
Citation Tools
Related Records
 Articles by Muhammad usama
Articles by sufyan shahid
Articles by muhammad asad kamran
Articles by muhammad hamza rafiq
Articles by ibrahim khalid
Articles by muhammad umar mansoor
on Google
on Google Scholar


How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Usama M, Shahid S, Kamran MA, Rafiq MH, Khalid I, Mansoor MU. Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan. J Pub Health Comm Med. 2025; 3(2): 133-138. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20241213012131


Web Style

Usama M, Shahid S, Kamran MA, Rafiq MH, Khalid I, Mansoor MU. Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan. https://www.wisdomgale.com/jphcm/?mno=232854 [Access: February 26, 2025]. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20241213012131


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Usama M, Shahid S, Kamran MA, Rafiq MH, Khalid I, Mansoor MU. Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan. J Pub Health Comm Med. 2025; 3(2): 133-138. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20241213012131



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Usama M, Shahid S, Kamran MA, Rafiq MH, Khalid I, Mansoor MU. Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan. J Pub Health Comm Med. (2025), [cited February 26, 2025]; 3(2): 133-138. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20241213012131



Harvard Style

Usama, M., Shahid, . S., Kamran, . M. A., Rafiq, . M. H., Khalid, . I. & Mansoor, . M. U. (2025) Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan. J Pub Health Comm Med, 3 (2), 133-138. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20241213012131



Turabian Style

Usama, Muhammad, Sufyan Shahid, Muhammad Asad Kamran, Muhammad Hamza Rafiq, Ibrahim Khalid, and Muhammad Umar Mansoor. 2025. Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan. Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine, 3 (2), 133-138. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20241213012131



Chicago Style

Usama, Muhammad, Sufyan Shahid, Muhammad Asad Kamran, Muhammad Hamza Rafiq, Ibrahim Khalid, and Muhammad Umar Mansoor. "Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan." Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine 3 (2025), 133-138. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20241213012131



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Usama, Muhammad, Sufyan Shahid, Muhammad Asad Kamran, Muhammad Hamza Rafiq, Ibrahim Khalid, and Muhammad Umar Mansoor. "Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan." Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine 3.2 (2025), 133-138. Print. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20241213012131



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Usama, M., Shahid, . S., Kamran, . M. A., Rafiq, . M. H., Khalid, . I. & Mansoor, . M. U. (2025) Investigating Stress and Depression among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at Rawalpindi Medical University in Pakistan. Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine, 3 (2), 133-138. doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20241213012131