MENTAL HEALTH STATUS OF POSTGRADUATE RESIDENTS OF DIFFERENT DENTAL SPECIALITIES IN PAKISTAN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the mental health of postgraduate residents undergoing fellowship training
in diff erent dental specialties in Pakistan.
Methods and materials: A form was developed that consisted of demographic variables i.e.
age, gender, marital status, monthly income and type of lodging along with Depression Anxiety
and Stress Scale (DASS-21). This form was distributed electronically amongst the postgraduate
residents enrolled in diff erent dental specialities in Pakistan.
Results: 156 out of 187 participants who met the inclusion criteria were selected for this study.
Considering participants with these negative emotions ranging from moderate to extremely severe
to be positive for the above mentioned mental health issues then 50.7% of postgraduate residents
were depressed, 59% residents had anxiety and 45.4% of residents were stressed. Female students
had an increased rate of depression, anxiety and stress. There was no infl uence of the diff erence
in dental speciality and other demographic variables on the mental health of residents.
Conclusion: A considerable number of postgraduate residents enrolled in diff erent fi elds of speciality in dentistry are facing depression, anxiety or stress. When residents from diff erent fi elds
of dental specialities were compared, they showed no signifi cant diff erence in their mental health
status. Female students are more prone to mental health issues, whereas marital status, year of
training, monthly income and type of lodging had no signifi cant eff ect on the mental health of
residents