Factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress in Mexican medical students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Compared to the general population, medical students are at greater risk of suffering from mental health problems, which can also affect their academic performance and professional future. Objectives: To evaluate the factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress in medical students in Mexico. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic, behavioral, and grade point average data, including the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) screening instrument. Analysis: Measures of central tendency, dispersion, frequency, and proportion were used. The Wilcoxon rank-sum and immediate proportions tests were used to determine differences between the sexes, and the chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used between the scholar years. Logistic and linear regression models were performed to evaluate factors associated with depression, stress, and anxiety. Results: Depression affected 49% of students and was more common during the third year (60.1%). Anxiety was found in 66.1% of students and was also more common in third year (74.7%). Stress affected 73.2% of students, with greater severity and frequency in women. Low perception of social support and adverse childhood experiences were found to be associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. However, in all cases, physical activity was found to be a protective factor. Conclusions: Studying mental health in medical students in Mexico is crucial to improving their well-being and academic performance, preventing burnout, and optimizing medical care. Adapting interventions to local and cultural factors can strengthen the health system and support the training of better professionals.