Comparing the Mental Health of Healthcare Students: Mental Health Shame and Self-compassion in Counselling, Occupational Therapy, Nursing and Social Work Students

Abstract

Poor mental health of healthcare students is a cause for concern in many universities. Though previous research has identified mental health shame and self-compassion as critical in this student group, how these variables differ across different healthcare disciplines remains to be evaluated. Healthcare students (n = 344; counselling, occupational therapy, social work and nursing) completed measures regarding these variables. MANOVA and regression analyses were performed. (1) Counselling and nursing students were more depressed than occupational therapy students; (2) nursing students were more anxious than occupational therapy and social work students; (3) occupational therapy students had more positive attitudes towards mental health than the others; and (4) nursing students worried about their own reputation associated with their family more than counselling students. Self-compassion was the strongest predictor of mental health in all groups; however, the effect sizes varied: largest in nursing and smallest in social work students. Findings will help inform effective interventions for students in each healthcare discipline.

An exploration of mental health, stress and well‐being concerns among health students undertaking rural placements in Australia during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…9 Students in health care disciplines are vulnerable to poor mental well-being. 10,11 Placement demands have been cited as an additional stressor that impacts wellbeing, 12 with high levels of anxiety and stress reported by health care students around placements. 12 Rural placements have the potential to further impact mental health by increasing financial stress and isolating students from their social support structures.…”

“…Students in health care disciplines are vulnerable to poor mental well‐being 10,11 . Placement demands have been cited as an additional stressor that impacts well‐being, 12 with high levels of anxiety and stress reported by health care students around placements 12 .…”