PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS DUE TO ACADEMIC STRESS AMONG FIRST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS OF GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL OF PATIALA

Objective: Numerous studies have shown that mental distress is a common problem among medical students. The impact of medical student psychological distress on academic performance has not been systematically examined. This study provided an opportunity to explore problems faced by struggling undergraduate 1st-year medical students and the influence of demographics and academic distress on these rates of distress.to assess the level of mental distress and associated factors among medical students. Methods: The study was conducted on medical students at Government Medical College and Hospital, Patiala. Data were collected from 154 consenting 1st-year medical students using a three-part structured, self-administered questionnaire (Part I: Background Data, Part II: The 20- item Self Reporting Questionnaire [SRQ-20] English version, and Part III: Academic Stress Score [ASS-40]). Results: Analysis shows that 35.06% of the sample is experiencing high levels of psychological distress. Results further suggests that psychological distress is related to perceived health and academic stress. There were no significant differences in gender and other demographic variables. Conclusions: The study shows that the prevalence of mental distress among medical students at medical college is higher than that reported by students of other streams. Continued supportive interventions for medical students and proper counseling and mentorship programs are highly recommended