Mental health and online learning among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Saudi national study

Abstract

Purpose The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has multiple consequences, including social distancing and the shift of education from in-person to online learning, which may have a psychological impact on students, especially those in medical colleges. This study aims to explore the effect of online learning on medical students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic across Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive, nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, after students in medical colleges moved to online learning. It included socio-demographic characteristics, online learning-related questions, perceived stress scale and generalized anxiety disorder-7. Findings The participants represented various academic levels within the basic science phase (44.9%) and clinical phase (55.1%) and various regions, including the central (55.3%), western (18.8%), northern (13.4%), southern (8.8%) and eastern (3.7%) regions. Moderate to high perceived stress was reported by 94.4% of students. Two-thirds of the students reported generalized anxiety symptoms, ranging from moderate to severe in 47% of them. A significant positive correlation was found between stress and anxiety. Women, age > 25, first-year students, students facing oral and objective structured clinical examinations, students with excellent and pass grades and those facing difficulties had higher levels of stress and anxiety. In addition, being non-Saudi, married or having a history of psychiatric illness was associated with higher levels of anxiety. Originality/value Stress and anxiety were highly expressed among participants using online learning. In addition to studying the efficacy of online learning, it is important to focus on its effect on medical students’ mental health, due to the highly competitive and demanding environment of medical colleges.

Somatic Symptoms, Anxiety, and Depression Among College Students in the Czech Republic and Slovakia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The main findings showed that female gender can be considered as one of the risk factors associated with an increased probability of somatic complaints and anxiety in both countries, and depression in the Czech Republic. This is in line with other studies focusing on students' mental health ( 9 , 14 , 39 , 46 – 49 ). It is a well-known fact that females are more prone to mental disorders and report more mental health problems compared to their male counterparts ( 50 ).…”

“…Other studies have also shown that academic years play an important role in students' mental health. In this regard, AlJhani et al ( 14 ) confirmed that first-year students from Saudi Arabia had higher levels of anxiety and stress. Al Saadi et al ( 71 ) found that anxiety was less likely in fifth-and sixth-year compared to second-year students.…”

“…These results agree with the general knowledge that younger people are a vulnerable population group in terms of poor mental health, as evidenced by many authors ( 39 , 46 , 57 – 60 ). On the other hand, there is also confrontational evidence that older age can be a risk factor in some cases ( 14 ). A Hungarian study showed that the younger age of college students can be considered an explanatory variable of favorable mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 isolation ( 61 ).…”

“…A similar finding was presented by AlHadi and Alhuwaydi ( 39 ), who considered a single status to be a main risk factor for anxiety and depression. However, there are also conflicting findings that suggest that married students may be at greater risk of mental discomfort ( 14 , 58 ). In this study, no significant relationships were confirmed in terms Czech students, as well as mental disorders such as anxiety and somatic complaints.…”

“…In addition, students experienced distance education and considerable changes in their study habits, with an evident problem being an impairment in concentration and learning abilities ( 13 ). All of these COVID-19-related stressors could lead to multiple consequences that can have a psychological impact on them ( 14 ). In this context, frustration caused by loss of daily routine, study disruption, loneliness and estrangement, emotional agony and distress, or uncertainty about both the present and future are strong signals of difficult COVID-19 times for students ( 15 , 16 ).…”