Mental health and psychological distress in healthcare-related students post-pandemic: a cross-sectional study
Background University students, particularly those in healthcare-related fields, face substantial mental health challenges exacerbated by the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite the recognized importance of mental health in mitigating psychological distress, research assessing mental health related depression and anxiety among these healthcare-related students remains limited. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2023 at a medical university in Shandong Province, China. A total of 10,267 students completed the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), 12,950 completed the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and 12,735 completed the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression to assess the prevalence and risk factors for depression and anxiety. Results Among 12,950 medical university students, 67.49% were asymptomatic for depression, while 15.89, 16.10, and 0.52% exhibited mild, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms, respectively. Anxiety assessment of 12,735 students showed 89.93% were asymptomatic, with mild, moderate, and severe anxiety present in 8.04, 1.56, and 0.46%. SDS scores differed significantly across academic grades (p < 0.001) but not by gender, whereas females had slightly higher SAS scores than males (p = 0.015). The prevalence of depression and anxiety varied significantly across academic departments (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified academic grade as an independent predictor of both depression and anxiety severity, with department and gender additionally associated with moderate depression. Conclusion Healthcare related students demonstrate moderate levels of psychological distress, with distinct demographic and academic patterns. Targeted interventions are urgently needed, particularly for younger students and those in high-stress majors. Enhancing mental health could play a crucial role in mitigating the burden of depression and anxiety in this vulnerable population.