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Heumann E, Palacio Siebe AV, Stock C, Heinrichs K. Depressive Symptoms Among Higher Education Students in Germany-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Public Health Rev 2024; 45:1606983. [PMID: 38978768 PMCID: PMC11228579 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2024.1606983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Higher education students in Germany are vulnerable to depressive symptoms. Despite ample evidence, no comprehensive review has recently been conducted. Thus, our systematic review and meta-analysis aims at describing the extent to which students are affected by depressive symptoms. Methods We searched three databases for articles reporting the prevalence rates of depressiveness among students in Germany published between 2002 and 2023. Pooled prevalence rates were calculated using random effects models, both for the overall sample and for subgroups categorized by gender, study setting, assessment instrument, and whether the study was conducted before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results The search yielded 992 records. After screening, 60 articles remained for data extraction. About one out of five students (21.1%) exhibits depressive symptoms. Pooled prevalence rates differ between subgroups, with higher rates during the COVID-19 pandemic than before (30.6% versus 18.0%) and with females being more affected than their male counterparts (29.0% versus 23.1%). Conclusion This review underlines the urgency with which the mental health of students should be addressed at the (higher educational) policy level. Clinical Trial Registration: PROPSPERO, Identifier CRD42022384066.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Heumann
- Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ana Valentina Palacio Siebe
- Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane Stock
- Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Unit for Health Promotion Research, University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Katherina Heinrichs
- Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Jin Y, Wang Y, Liu S, Niu S, Sun H, Liu Y, Liu N. The Relationship Between Stressful Life Events and Depressive Symptoms in College Students: mediation by Parenting Style and Gender's Moderating Effect. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2024; 17:1975-1989. [PMID: 38766317 PMCID: PMC11100962 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s461164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim Stressful life events have a significant impact on the mental health of college students. Depression, as a prevalent psychological issue, has garnered attention in the field of college student mental health and is closely linked to it. Additionally, parenting style is identified as an important factor influencing the development of college students' mental health. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between these three factors. Methods A total of 8079 first-year college students from two medical universities in Shandong Province, China were surveyed. The Beck Depression Inventory was utilized to evaluate depressive symptoms among the college students, while the Adolescent Self-rating Life Events Checklist and the Egna Minnen Beträfande Uppfostran were employed to gather data. Subsequently, the SPSS macro program PROCESS was utilized to analyze both the mediating and moderating effects. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0. Results The study found a detection rate of 6.3% for depressive symptoms among college students. The correlation analysis of this study showed that the stressful life events of college students were significantly positively correlated with depressive symptoms (r=0.261, p< 0.01). Each dimension of parenting style was associated with depressive symptoms in different degrees and directions. At the same time, parenting styles of all sizes play a partial mediating role between stressful life events and depressive symptoms in college students, gender plays a crucial regulatory role in this mediation. Conclusion Stressful life events experienced by college students have a significant impact on their mental health. Early intervention through positive parenting styles from parents may prove to be beneficial in promoting the development of good mental health among college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jin
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiju Wang
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shusen Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150076, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sifang Niu
- School of Public Health, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong, 264003, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Sun
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Public Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ning Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, 272067, People’s Republic of China
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Hahn N, Brzoska P, Kiessling C. On the correlation between gratitude and resilience in medical students. GMS JOURNAL FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 41:Doc8. [PMID: 38504862 PMCID: PMC10946207 DOI: 10.3205/zma001663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Objective Medical students' health and resilience have increasingly been the subject of current research in recent years. A variety of interventions are recommended to strengthen resilience or its known or suspected influencing factors, although the literature shows that the evidence on the effectiveness of the interventions is inconsistent. The present study investigated whether gratitude is a direct protective factor for resilience in medical students or whether resilience factors (optimism, self-efficacy, social support) and stress mediate the effects of gratitude on resilience. Methods 90 medical students at Witten/Herdecke University took part in the study that determined their gratitude, resilience, optimism, self-efficacy, social support and stress levels using validated questionnaires (GQ-6, RS-25, LOT-R, SWE, F-SozU, PSS). Correlations were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. In addition, a multivariate regression analysis and a path analysis were calculated to determine the direct and indirect effects of gratitude on resilience. Results Multivariate regression analysis showed that only optimism, social support and stress were significantly associated with resilience (B=0.48, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.66; B=0.23, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.44 and B=-0.02, 95% CI: -0.03, -0.001, respectively). The direct effect of gratitude on resilience was minimal and not significant in the path analysis. However, there was an indirect effect of gratitude on resilience (B=0.321; p<0.05). Mediation via the optimism variable was mainly responsible for this effect (indirect effect B=0.197; p<0.05). Conclusion This study shows that gratitude has only a minimal direct influence on resilience. However, results indicate that optimism as a mediating factor strengthens the resilience of medical students. Against this background, it may be useful to integrate interventions that promote an optimistic attitude into medical studies in order to strengthen the mental health of future doctors in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolai Hahn
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Education of Personal and Interpersonal Competencies in Health Care, Witten, Germany
| | - Patrick Brzoska
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Health Services Research, Witten, Germany
| | - Claudia Kiessling
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Education of Personal and Interpersonal Competencies in Health Care, Witten, Germany
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Yektatalab S, Mohammadi A, Zarshenas L. The Prevalence of Misophonia and Its Relationship with Obsessive-compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression in Undergraduate Students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY BASED NURSING AND MIDWIFERY 2022; 10:259-268. [PMID: 36274664 PMCID: PMC9579453 DOI: 10.30476/ijcbnm.2022.92902.1888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Misophonia is a severe emotional response to repetitive sounds. This disorder may limit a person's communication, reduce his/her ability, or disrupt his/her social and personal life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Misophonia and its relationship with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression in undergraduate students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. METHODS The present study is an analytical descriptive study conducted in October 2020. The study samples consisted of 390 undergraduate students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. A relative and systematic sampling method was used. In this study, demographic questionnaire, misophonia questionnaire (A score of 7 or higher is considered as misophonia), Beck anxiety questionnaire, Beck depression questionnaire, and Maudsley obsessive-compulsive inventory questionnaire were used, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 24 software. In this study, chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between the variables. Due to the non-normality of the data, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used for data analysis. The significance level was considered equal to and less than 0.05. RESULTS Of the 390 participants in the study, 93 (23.8%) had experienced misophonia. Among these 93 students, 37 (39.8%) had obsessive-compulsive disorder, 8 (8.6%) suffered anxiety, and 9 (9.7%) were depressed. There was a significant and direct relationship between misophonia and obsessive-compulsive disorder,anxiety and depression respectively(P<0.001). CONCLUSION Due to the prevalence of misophonia among students and its direct relationship with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression, we recommend that future studies should be conducted to find the ways to prevent and reduce the incidence of misophonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Yektatalab
- Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran,
Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Agrin Mohammadi
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ladan Zarshenas
- Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran,
Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Chen J, Tuersun Y, Yang J, Xiong M, Wang Y, Rao X, Jiang S. Association of depression symptoms and sleep quality with state-trait anxiety in medical university students in Anhui Province, China: a mediation analysis. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 22:627. [PMID: 35982434 PMCID: PMC9388213 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03683-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of depression symptoms among medical students is particularly high, and it has increased during the COVID-19 epidemic. Sleep quality and state-trait anxiety are risk factors for depression, but no study has yet investigated the mediating role of state-trait anxiety in the relationship between poor sleep quality and depression symptoms in medical students. This study aims to investigate the relationship among depression symptoms, sleep quality and state-trait anxiety in medical university students in Anhui Province. METHODS This was a cross-sectional survey of 1227 students' online questionnaires collected from four medical universities in Anhui Province using a convenience sampling method. We measured respondents' sleep quality, state-trait anxiety, and depression symptoms using three scales: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). We analysed the mediating role of STAI scores on the association between PSQI scores and SDS scores through the Sobel-Goodman Mediation Test while controlling for covariates. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 74.33% (912) and 41.40% (518) of the respondents reported suffering from poor sleep quality and depression symptoms. Sleep quality, state-trait anxiety, and depression symptoms were positively associated with each other (β = 0.381 ~ 0.775, P < 0.001). State-trait anxiety partially mediated the association between sleep quality and depression symptoms (Sobel test Z = 15.090, P < 0.001), and this mediating variable accounted for 83.79% of the association when adjusting for potential confounders. Subgroup analysis further revealed that STAI scores partially mediated the association between PSQI scores and SDS scores in females and rural students and fully mediated the association between PSQI scores and SDS scores in males and urban students. CONCLUSIONS This study found that sleep quality and state-trait anxiety have a significant predictive effect on depression symptoms. State-trait anxiety mediated the relationship between sleep quality and depression symptoms, with a more complex mechanism observed among rural and female medical students. Multiple pathways of intervention should be adopted, such as encouraging students to self-adjust, providing professional psychological intervention and timely monitoring, enriching extracurricular activities, and making changes in policies regarding long shifts and working hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangyun Chen
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Jiao Yang
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Man Xiong
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yueying Wang
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Rao
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuai Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Institute for Hospital Management of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China.
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Lamlé P, Keuch L, Pukas L, Reinsch J, Röder H, Clausner H, Watzke S. Suicidal ideations among students attending vocational school in Germany: a cross-sectional study to identify prevalence and associated risk factors. J Public Health (Oxf) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-022-01745-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Aim
Even though students attending vocational school are very vulnerable to the development of mental health problems, few studies identify the correlation between suicidal ideations and vocational education. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated risk factors for suicidal ideations among vocational students in Germany.
Methods
We conducted a cross sectional survey with a total of 555 pupils. The pupils received a standardized questionnaire, assessing sociodemographic data, the use of protective factors, possible risk factors, traits for neuroticism and depressive symptoms. For our study, we excluded item 9 from the Beck depression index (BDI-II) to identify the prevalence of suicidal ideation.
Results
Our results show that the prevalence of suicidal ideation among students attending vocational school is 23.2%. A combination of feeling lonely, male sex, low importance of religion, little time for hobbies and BMI scores outside the norm show the highest risk for suicidal ideation and can be identified as significant predictors.
Conclusion
This cross-sectional study highlights the mental burden vocational students in Germany are confronted with and underlines the necessity of paying special attention to this group of young adults. Furthermore, it emphasizes the necessity of further studies on this topic, especially including larger student populations. The results should be used to decrease the significant loss of life caused by suicidal behavior in young adults.
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Wijnen-Meijer M. Learning to teach in medical education. GMS JOURNAL FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 39:Doc14. [PMID: 35368834 PMCID: PMC8953194 DOI: 10.3205/zma001535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marjo Wijnen-Meijer
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, TUM Medical Education Center, Munich, Germany
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Pelzer A, Sapalidis A, Rabkow N, Pukas L, Günther N, Watzke S. Does medical school cause depression or do medical students already begin their studies depressed? A longitudinal study over the first semester about depression and influencing factors. GMS JOURNAL FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 39:Doc58. [PMID: 36540560 PMCID: PMC9733480 DOI: 10.3205/zma001579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In the past, medical students have been found to be at increased risk for depressive symptoms compared to the general population. This study addresses the question, whether medical students already show these elevated depression scores at the beginning of medical school or whether it is the studies of medicine that leads to symptoms of depression. METHODS In the winter semester 2018/2019, 148 medical students at a middle-sized German university answered a questionnaire during the first (T0) and last week (T1) of their first semester that examined various risk and resilience factors for initial depressive symptoms and their course. The severity of symptoms was assessed with the Beck´s Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). A subscale of the NEO-FFI was used to investigate the personality factor neuroticism. RESULTS Over the study period, the percentage of students suffering from at least mild depressive symptoms increased from 16.3% in the first week of their studies (T0) to 21.4% at the end of the first semester (T1). The use of drugs or medication, loneliness, mental overload, performance pressure and financial burden show the strongest influence on the development of depressive symptoms. Concerning surveyed resilience factors, in particular emotional support, physical workout and sufficient time for social contact appear to be protective. The more risk factors are concentrated on an individual, the higher its increase of depressive symptoms. The opposite is prevailing for the investigated resilience factors. Except for the use of drugs or medication, no other criterion than the BDI-II value at T0 was able to predict the BDI-II score at T1. This underlines that especially the interplay of factors is decisive. CONCLUSION The findings of this study could indicate a worsening tendency of the BDI-II score in the further course of medical school. Ultimately, we emphasize the importance of offering preventive measures to medical students as early as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Pelzer
- University Hospital Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Alexandra Sapalidis
- University Hospital Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Nadja Rabkow
- University Hospital Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Lilith Pukas
- University Hospital Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Nils Günther
- University Hospital Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Stefan Watzke
- University Hospital Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Halle/Saale, Germany
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed: Stefan Watzke, University Hospital Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Julius-Kühn-Str. 7, D-06112 Halle/Saale, Germany, Phone: +49 (0)345/557-3542, E-mail:
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