IMPACT OF A SEMINAR INTERVENTION ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS: A STUDY OF FAMILY SCAPEGOATING ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH
Abstract
Background: Psychological distress, including depression, stress, and anxiety, is prevalent among medical students and significantly affects their academic performance and overall well-being. Family abuse further complicates these issues, necessitating effective interventions. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a seminar intervention designed to reduce levels of depression, stress, anxiety, and family abuse among medical science students at Copperbelt University. Methods: A total of 336 students from various medical science programs (MBChB, Biomedical Sciences, Dental Sciences, and Public Health) at MCS-School of Medicine participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 168) or a control group (n = 168). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using standardized measures for psychological outcomes. Results: The results indicated significant reductions in depression (t(330) = -4.222, p < 0.001), stress (t(330) = -3.626, p < 0.001), and anxiety (t(330) = -3.481, p = 0.001) levels following the intervention. However, family abuse scores showed no significant differences between groups (t(330) = 0.032, p = 0.975). Levene's Test confirmed that most dependent variables met the assumption of equal variances across groups; however, stress scores exhibited significant variance differences. Conclusion: The seminar intervention effectively improved mental health outcomes related to depression, stress, and anxiety among medical students but did not impact family abuse measurements within this sample group. These findings underscore the need for targeted mental health programs that address both psychological distress and the complexities surrounding family dynamics.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejphs.v8i1.202
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