Trait emotional intelligence as predictor of psychological health in undergraduate medical students: A hierarchical multiple regression approach

Objectives: Trait emotional intelligence (TEI) is a key personality construct by which an individual recognizes, understands, expresses and regulates emotions in self and others to adapt to environments or achieve one’s goals. TEI skills are modifiable and have a potential to significantly influence psychological health (PH) of a person. The aims of current work were to evaluate relationship between TEI and PH of medical students and to explore the incremental validity of TEI to predict psychological distress beyond sociodemographic and educational factors in them. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-two medical students (mean age 18.02 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. TEI and PH were assessed using TEI questionnaire short form (TEIQue-sf) and depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21), respectively. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was carried out to determine if scores on TEIQue-sf added significantly to the prediction of psychological symptoms in medical students. Results: There was a significant negative association (r = ?0.57, P < 0.001) between TEIQue-sf and DASS-21 scores. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that after controlling for sociodemographic and educational variables, TEIQue-sf scores explained a statistically significant increment of variance (P < 0.001) in DASS-21 scores. TEI emerged as best predictor of psychological distress of medical students followed by educational factors. However, sociodemographic profile as an attribute failed to demonstrate significant capacity to predict PH of our participants. Conclusion: Our results indicate that TEI is a robust and unique predictor of better PH and plays a positive role in promoting psychological well-being

Multiple linear regression approach to deduce Internet addiction impact on the psychosocial wellness of young medical students

Background: The Internet is an inevitable part of life especially in the education sector, but at the same time irrational use of the Internet causes behavioral disorders. A high number of personality disorders such as impulsive behavior, depression, anxiety, and stress were also observed among medical students. Aim and Objectives: Hence, the present study hypothesized to find out the association of depression, anxiety, and stress with Internet addiction (IA) among young medical students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 250 1st-year medical students after taking ethics approval and written informed consent. Personal information and socio-demographic profile of participants were obtained. Young IA Test and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) survey questionnaire was self-administered by participants. To identify the risk and protective factors for IA with DASS-21 step-wise multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Results: The prevalence of IA was 24.0 % with mean scores (±Standard Deviation [SD]) of 39.01 (±16.99) among the medical students. Depression, anxiety, and stress mean scores (±SD) were 5.44 (±4.21), 4.94 (±3.84), 6.77 (±3.83), respectively. Students with IA had a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) in all domains of DASS-21 over the non-internet addicted. A statistically significant positive relationship of IA with depression (coefficient of determination (R2), (R2 = 0.22)), anxiety (R2 = 0.26), and stress (R2 = 0.33) were observed. Conclusions: 1/4th of the medical students were internet-addicted and 3.0% having severe anxiety. 22.0% of depression, 26.0% of anxiety, and 33.0% of stress among young medical students are attributable to IA. The rational use of the internet should be learned for psychological health and well-being.

Reliability and psychometric validity of Hindi version of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) for Hindi speaking Head Neck Cancer and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders Patients

Background and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to carefully translate and psychometrically validate the depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 (DASS-21) in Hindi language for Hindi-speaking head and neck cancer (HNC) and oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) patients. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty-seven HNC and OPMD patients were recruited for this study comprising of 111 oral cancer and 56 OPMD patients. According to internationally accepted guidelines, forward and backward translation procedures were performed, to develop a culturally acceptable version of DASS-21. Validated Hindi version of hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) questionnaire was used to compare the scores. Internal consistency for construct validity of the DASS-21 was assessed. Related data and the patients' demographics details were recorded. Factor analysis using varimax rotation was also carried out. Results: The Cronbach's alpha values were 0.998, 0.990, and 0.994, respectively, for depression, anxiety, and stress domains, which was comparable to other studies and indicated a strong internal consistency and good construct validity. Factor and varimax analysis revealed items to be well suited to their respective domains. A statistically significant strong correlation was reflected with HADS Hindi questionnaire; Spearman's rank correlation values observed were 0.80 and 0.83 for depression and anxiety, respectively. Interpretation and Conclusions: Hindi version of the DASS-21 questionnaire appears to be culturally appropriate, reliable, and psychometrically valid tool for evaluation of the psychological burden (depression, anxiety, and stress) in Hindi-speaking HNC and OPMD patients

Depression, anxiety, stress, and stressors among rural adolescents studying in Pune and a rural block of Nanded district of Maharashtra, India

Adolescent population is the major demographic and economic force of a nation. Adolescent mental health not only affects overall health at present but also in future life. In this cross-sectional study, 461 rural adolescent students studying in Pune city and the rural area from a block in Nanded district, Maharashtra, were administered a prevalidated, pretested Marathi depression anxiety and stress scale-21 tool including correlated factors to assess the magnitude of depression, anxiety, and stress and its stressors. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among these students was 54%, 60%, and 44%, respectively. Rural students in Pune city were having significantly higher levels of stress than the students studying in the rural area. Disturbed family, harsh parenting, past adverse event experiences, negative feeling about academic performance and tobacco use were significantly associated with higher rates. Findings indicate that the mental health status of these students is alarming needing prompt measures.