Nivel de estrés, ansiedad y depresión entre estudiantes de odontología de la UCSG.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of the stress, anxiety, and depression, and their associated factors among dental students at UCSG during the A – 2024 period. Materials and Methods: A qualitativequantitative, analytical, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. A sample size of 166 students was obtained. Inclusion instruments: informed consent documents; “Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21(DASS 21)”; “Dental Environmental Stress (DES)” questionnaire. Questions about student’s age, gender, and academic year were included. Results: 19% of first-year students experienced “severe” levels of stress, compared to 34.4% of final-year students. 46.7% of first-year students and 72.1% of final-year students exhibited “extremely severe” levels of anxiety. 24.8% of first-year students and 36.1% of final-year students displayed “extremely severe” levels of depression. The clinical environment was found to be the most determining factor for mental health in the later years of the program. Conclusion: The study reveals that UCSG dental students experience important levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly in the advanced years of the program due to increased academic and clinical demands. Academic stress tends to stabilize, but clinical stress intensifies.