The Impact of Stress on Mental Health in Medical Students
Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33005/jdiversemedres.v3i9.382Keywords:
Academic stress; Anxiety; Depression; Medical students; Mental health.Abstract
Medical education involves intense academic demands, clinical responsibilities, and high-performance expectations, which can increase medical students’ vulnerability to stress and mental health issues. This narrative review examines the factors contributing to stress among medical students, its impact on mental health, and its implications for academic performance and professional development. Relevant literature was identified through searches on Google Scholar, PubMed, and other scientific databases. The search initially focused on publications from 2019 to 2024, with earlier references included when necessary. The literature was reviewed thematically to identify key stressors, impacts on mental health, and potential management strategies. Medical students experience stress due to academic demands, clinical responsibilities, and personal challenges. Prolonged stress can contribute to anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and a decline in academic performance, whereas manageable stress can support motivation and adaptive coping mechanisms. Effective stress management requires individual coping strategies and institutional support. Stress is a significant issue in medical education due to its potential impact on mental health, academic performance, and professional development. A supportive learning environment, easily accessible mental health services, and appropriate coping strategies are essential for improving the well-being of medical students.
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