Psychological distress in health training: depression, anxiety and stress in health science students in Chile.

Authors

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/edumed.703841
Keywords: Mental health, health sciences students, medical education, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep

Abstract

Introduction: The mental health of health sciences students is a growing concern in medical education, given the heavy academic workload and early clinical demands that characterize their training. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in health sciences students in Chile and to analyze their association with lifestyle factors relevant to the educational process. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 991 students who, after providing informed consent, completed the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales), a 21-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure the severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Perceived sleep quality, physical activity, and tobacco use were also analyzed. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed, followed by binary logistic regression adjusted for sex and age to identify factors associated with psychological symptoms. The study was approved by a Scientific Ethics Committee. Results: A high prevalence of psychological symptoms was observed, especially anxiety (63.8%) and stress (80.3%), with greater severity in women (p < 0.001). Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Students with poor sleep quality were approximately three times more likely to experience depressive symptoms (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI: 2.30–4.04), stress (AOR = 3.57; 95% CI: 2.48–5.13), and anxiety (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 2.10–3.69). Physical activity did not show an independent association in the adjusted models, while tobacco use showed sex-specific associations. Conclusions: A high burden of emotional distress is evident among health sciences students. Sleep quality emerges as a key cross-cutting factor, reinforcing the need to incorporate institutional strategies for promoting sleep and preventing psychological distress within the educational environment.

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Published
27-03-2026
How to Cite
Caro Moya, P. A., Moya Rivera, P., Bradayanes Piñones, J., & Zamorano Vidal, S. (2026). Psychological distress in health training: depression, anxiety and stress in health science students in Chile. Spanish Journal of Medical Education, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.6018/edumed.703841
Issue
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): Spanish Journal of Medical Education
Section
Artículos

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