Domestic and international medical students’ need for mental health services

TL;DR

The study compares mental health and service needs between domestic and international medical students, finding differences in perceived necessity and cultural considerations.

Contribution

This study highlights the differing mental health service needs and perceptions between domestic and international medical students.

Findings

International students showed higher psychopathological distress compared to domestic students.

Domestic students reported a significantly higher need for a psychologist's help than international students.

A majority of domestic students consider mental health services necessary, compared to international students.

Abstract

Heavy academic loads imposed on medical students explain why it is so important for a university to pay more attention to the issues of maintaining their students’ mental health.

To compare the level of mental health and the need for mental health services in domestic and international medical students

The survey covered 305 domestic and 241 international university students of the Faculty of Medicine. Their mental health level was measured with the SCL-90R questionnaire, their interest to mental health services - by means of a 5-point questionnaire.

The data achieved by measuring the level of mental health with the SCL-90R revealed that in both groups this level is within standard limits. However, the international students showed a higher level of psychopathological distress reflected by GSI index (χ2=2.14; р=.03). Both groups have experienced a visit to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist (12.13% and 8.3% correspondingly). Some of them have undergone treatment in connection with their emotional and behavioral problems (3.28% и 3.73%). Currently, they claim, with the same frequency, that they are in need of a psychiatrist’s or psychotherapist’s help (14.43% и 13.28%). Domestic students, as compared with international students show higher need (χ2=24.55; р=.001) for a psychologist’s help (34.75% and 16.18%).With different frequency, 65.15% of the international students and 89.5% of the domestic students consider mental health services as necessary.

When providing medical support to medical students, it is important to take into account their need for mental health services and to keep in mind their different cultural backgrounds.

None Declared