The relationship between depression and academic satisfaction in medical science students
The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice
ISSN: 1755-6228
Article publication date: 8 December 2020
Issue publication date: 22 January 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Students’ academic achievement is a multifaceted phenomenon. While depression can suppress academic performance, academic satisfaction can promote it. This study aims to investigate the relationship between depression and academic satisfaction among students studying at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study was carried out on 312 undergraduate students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. Data collection tools included demographic data form, University Student Depression Inventory and academic satisfaction scale. Data were collected by a simple random sampling method and self-reporting by the participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (multivariate multiple regression analysis and multivariate linear regression).
Findings
The participants’ mean depression and academic satisfaction scores were 71.92 ± 22.94 and 53.70 ± 9.69, respectively. In addition, the depression score was significantly and inversely correlated with students' academic satisfaction (r = −0.122, p-value = 0.031). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between students’ depression with marital status, level of the semester, interest in the field of study and study topic.
Research limitations/implications
This study emphasizes improving education, spiritual and social support and strengthens strategies to deal with depression and medical science students’ related factors.
Originality/value
Students of medical sciences are exposed to depression during their college years, which is related to their academic satisfaction.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The present study was a result of a research project approved by the research deputy of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences under the code of 96162. The authors thank the participants, the deputy of Research and Technology and the Student Research Committee of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences due to their kind contributions to the study.Authors’ contributions: All the authors are held responsible and approved the content of this manuscript.Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Funding: The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Citation
Mirhosseini, S., Bazghaleh, M., Basirinezhad, M.H., Abbasi, A. and Ebrahimi, H. (2021), "The relationship between depression and academic satisfaction in medical science students", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 99-111. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-03-2020-0017
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited