Prevalence and comorbidity of PTSD, depressive and anxiety symptoms among medical students

Ogorenko, V.V. and Kokashynskyi, V.O. and Shornikov, A.V. and Makoviichuk, O.A. and Bakhtin, B.I. (2026) Prevalence and comorbidity of PTSD, depressive and anxiety symptoms among medical students. Медичні перспективи = Medicni perspektivi (Medical perspectives), Т. 31 (2). pp. 149-156. ISSN 2307-0404 (print), 2786-4804 (online)

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Abstract

The study aimed to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive and anxiety symptoms among medical students in the context of prolonged war-related stress. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety among medical students in the context of a prolonged armed conflict. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 85 medical students. Traumatic experience was assessed using the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5, posttraumatic stress symptoms were evaluated with the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and anxiety symptoms were assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale. In addition, cumulative trauma load and help-seeking behavior for psychiatric care were analyzed. Probable posttraumatic stress disorder was identified in 38.8% of students, clinically significant depressive symptoms in 50.6%, and anxiety symptoms in 36.5%. Strong positive correlations were identified between posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive, and anxiety symptoms (ρ=0.628-0.739; p<0.001). Cumulative traumatic exposure showed moderate correlations with the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive, and anxiety symptoms (ρ=0.381-0.472; p<0.001). After controlling for affective symptomatology, the association between PTSD symptoms and the personal trauma index remained statistically significant (ρ=0.489; p<0.001). Despite the high prevalence of mental health disturbances, only one fifth of respondents sought professional help. The findings indicate a substantial psychoemotional burden among medical students in wartime conditions and substantiate the need for systematic screening, early identification, and the implementation of psychosocial support programs within higher medical education institutions

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	doi: 10.26641/2307-0404.2026.2.365917
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Key words: posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, war, mental health, medical students; посттравматичний стресовий розлад, депресія, тривога, війна, психічне здоров’я, студенти-медики
Subjects:	Psychiatry
Divisions:	Departments > Psychiatry, Narcology and Medical Psychology
Depositing User:	Ирина Медведева
Date Deposited:	11 Sep 2026 08:07
Last Modified:	11 Sep 2026 08:07
URI:	http://repo.dma.dp.ua/id/eprint/10277

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