Sources of stressors and emotional disturbances among undergraduate medical students in Malaysia

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms and also to determine the possible sources of stressors and their relationship with these symptoms among medical undergraduate students throughout the different stages of their study. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 501 students from Kulliyyah (Faculty) of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia. Depression Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress. The sources of stressors were identified by giving the students a list of the most possible source of stressors which were chosen depending on previous studies. Results: The overall prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 39.7 %, 65.8%, % and 37.1% respectively but it was found that 7.2%, 29.7 % and 7.4% of medical students have clinically significant depression, anxiety and stress respectively. The emotional disturbances were significantly higher among female students .Younger students aged 21years and below were experiencing significantly higher mean score of depression, anxiety and stress. Regarding the source of stressors, the top ten stressors decided by the students were mainly academic and personal factors. Conclusion: Emotional disturbances in the form of depression, anxiety and stress are existing in medical students which require early intervention. Academic and personal factors can be considered as sources of stressors that may precipitate for depression anxiety and stress