Effect of Problem Solving Training on Quality of Life and Responsibility of Medical Students

Quality of life (QOL) and responsibility are known as fundamental issues in contemporary psychology. This study aimed to investigate the effect of problem-solving training on QOL and responsibility of paramedical students at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

The present quasi-experimental study had a pre-test-post-test design. The statistical population consisted of all paramedical students (490 students) in the academic year 2020-2021. The available sample was randomly divided into two groups of intervention (n = 20) and a control (n = 20). The Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36) and Gauff Responsibility Questionnaire were used to collect data. Problem-solving training by using scenario was provided to the intervention group in 2-hour sessions held twice a week for a period of 14 weeks. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.

The mean age of participants was 20.61 (SD=1.14) and 21.21 (SD=1.62) years in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The problem-solving training seemed to enhance the QOL scores [F(1,39)=1052.192, P<0.001, ƞ2=0.966] and students’ sense of responsibility [F(1,39)=126.111,P<0.001,ƞ2=0.773].

Problem-solving training had a significant positive effect on reducing the incidence of mental illness in students. Therefore, this approach can be used to promote students' mental health.