Year: 2025 | Month: December | Volume: 12 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 37-44
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20251205
Are Hostelites Better-off than Non-Hostelites – A Comparison of Stress Anxiety and Depression Amongst Undergraduate Medical Students in a Multiethnic Setting
Vaishali Khatri1, Peter Chovanec2, Vivek Singh Malik3, Gargi Soni4
1,2,4AUC-UK Track, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lancashire, UK.
3Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.
Corresponding Author: Vaishali Khatri
ABSTRACT
Medical education is an intense and challenging journey that often subjects students to high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Living environments play a vital role in shaping their psychological well-being, especially for those studying away from home. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among hostelite and non-hostelite (day scholar) medical students at a private medical college in Mauritius. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among students from Semesters 1 to 9 using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Data were collected from both male and female participants residing in hostels and off-campus. Findings revealed that Stress, anxiety and depression were found to be higher in non-hostelites (53%, 68%,41%) as compared to hostelites (50%, 62%, 34%). Levels of stress, anxiety and depression were found to be higher in non-hostelite Mauritian students (53%, 78%, 41%) as compared to their hostelite Indian (46%, 74%, 40%) and South African (46%, 77%, 38%) counterparts. Females (hostelites and non-hostelites) reported high levels of stress, anxiety and depression (59%, 78%, 47%) as compared to males (hostelites and non-hostelites) (47%, 68%, 40%). The findings underscore that medical students experience considerable psychological distress influenced by both living arrangements and gender. The study emphasizes the need for universities to develop targeted mental health support strategies tailored to the specific challenges faced by hostelites and non-hostelites, fostering a healthier academic environment conducive to both emotional well-being and professional growth.
Keywords: Hostelites, Non-Hostelites, Medical Students, Mental Health, DASS 21.
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