The effect of stress and depression on quality of life of pharmacy students in Malaysia

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of stress and depression among pharmacy students, evaluate their health related quality of life (HRQoL) in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among pharmacy students at eight universities from March to May 2020 across Malaysia. Instruments adopted in the survey included perceived stress scale 4 (PSS-4) for stress, patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression and WHOQOL-BREF for health-related quality of life. Results: A total of 441 students participated in the study. The overall PSS-4 score mean was 7.30 and the differences in PHQ-9 scores mean between public and private universities were not significant. A positive correlation was observed between total PSS-4 scores and PHQ-9 scores. Only 24.5% of pharmacy students reported a good quality of life, with a median score of 96.00. A Significant negative correlation was found between stress and depression against the quality of life. Conclusions: Stress and depression play a significant role in deteriorating the quality of life of pharmacy students. This highlighted the importance of future research in developing useful interventions to improve the quality of life of university students, especially students from the medical and health science fields.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Quality of life and Stress among Nursing Students in Central Karnataka

“…Blebil A et al found significant association between sex and QoL in their study on pharmacy students in Malaysia. 9 We found no significant difference between domains of Qol and urban or rural place of origin. Zhang Y et al found significantly higher scores for psychological health and social relationships domains in urban students compared to rural ones.…”

“…Blebil A et al found otherwise. 9 In our study, PSS-10 total scores range was 7 -29. Whereas, 0-35 was found in the study on University students in Saudi Arabia by Anwer S et al 11 Mean PSS-10 total score was 18.58±4.32.…”

“…6,10 Blebil A et al reported otherwise. 9 Zhang Y et al found significant difference for psychological health and social relationships domains scores with respect to year of studies. 8 We found significant difference with physical health, social relationships domains of QoL and place of staying/accommodation.…”

“…Various socio-demographic, college related factors are associated with stress. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] There are lesser number of studies in this area in India. Hence, the present study was done to assess the quality of life and perceived stress levels among nursing students and correlation between them, to find out various symptoms experienced in case of stress and coping strategies used by students in case of stress.…”

A cross-sectional study on Quality of life and stress among nursing students in Central Karnataka.

“…6,10 Blebil A et al reported otherwise. 9 Zhang Y et al found significant difference for psychological health and social relationships domains scores with respect to year of studies. 8 We found significant difference with physical health, social relationships domains of QoL and place of staying/accommodation.…”