Comparison of the Mental Health of Medicine and Engineering Students in Iran, 2014-2015

Mental health plays an important role in ensuring the dynamism and efficiency of any community. Since human resources have a crucial role in the cultural, social and economical development of communities, and as students are one of the main segments of each society which pave the way to a better future, assessing their mental health is of utmost importance. Therefore the current study aimed to compare the mental health status between medicine and engineering students during 2014 and 2015.
This cross-sectional study was conducted among the medicine and engineering students who were in either third or fourth year of their studies in 2014-2015. Data was collected using a standardized questionnaire GHQ-28 including 4 scales of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and depression. Demographic data were also recorded during this study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-17.
In the current study, 1155 students were participated. The mean age of the medicine and engineering students was 24.2±5.9 and 4/6 ± 7/23 years, respectively. The majority of the engineering students were boys (71.1 %) and the majority of the medicine students were girls (63.4 %). According to the findings, 47.7 % (n=289) of the engineering students and 43.1% (n=288) of the medicine students based on the GHQ-28 criteria were suspected of mental disorders. No significant differences were seen between the two groups (p=0.117). The Mental Disorders Scales distribution in engineering students were anxiety disorder, social dysfunction, depression and somatic disorders, respectively. Also, the Mental Disorders Scale distribution in the medicine students were anxiety disorder, social dysfunction, physical disorders and depression disorders, respectively.
The findings of this study imply that nearly half of the medicine and engineering students are suspected of mental disorders. Given the high prevalence of mental disorders, especially anxiety and social dysfunction, it is recommended that planning should be implemented to promote mental health in order to increase their capabilities and psychological capacities in skills and knowledge.