PREVALENCE OF EMOTIONAL DISORDER AMONG FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS OF FEU-NRMF SCHOOL YEAR 2008-2009

ABSTRACT: This study was done to determine the prevalence of emotional disorders among 1st year, 2nd and 3rd year medical students of Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation in Fairview, Quezon City, Philippines. Moreover, demographical data and contributing factors such as year level, sex, family relationship status romantic relationship, and birth order were assessed. Using stratified sampling technique, sample of medical students from 1st to 3rd year of FEU-NRMF completed the 12-item English version of the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12) and a demographical questionnaire as well. The scoring cutoff consists of > 4 was considered positive for emotional disorder while < 3 indicated negative result. Data were analyzed by using Pearson chi-square test to determine statistically significant relationship of emotional disorder among medical students between the variables used such as year level, birth order, perceived family relationship status and romantic relationship status that could affect their emotional condition. Out of 432 medical students who answered the questionnaires, 382 were considered validated due to completeness of answers and information given. A total of 24.3% were found to have positive GHQ-12 score indicating susceptibility to the development of emotional disorders. Factors that were found to have significant relationship to development of emotional disorders were the following: perceived family relationship status being the highest, having 0.001 p value on chi square test; followed by romantic relationship status having 0.047 p value; and civil status being on the borderline, having 0.077 p value. On the other hand, no significant association of the following factors with regard to development of emotional disorders was found, namely; year level, having 0.669 p value; being an only child having o.944 p value; lastly, pre-medical course having 0.990 p value. The prevalence of emotional disorders among FEU-NRMF medical students during school year 2008 -2009 was considered to be lower than expected percentage based from previous related studies conducted. Of the two factors (i.e. perceived family relationship status and romantic relationship status) that were found to have significant effect on obtaining a positive GHQ-12 score, the factor perceived family status could be concluded to have the greatest effect as proven by the 50% positive score of GHQ-12 on those students who answered poor in the said evaluation. Thus it can be concluded that family relationship plays a very big role in the development and management of emotional disorder in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year medical students of FEU-NRMF

Department of Community & Family Medicine