A Study of Anxiety/Depressive Symptoms of Medical Students, House Staff, and Their Spouses/Partners

Abstract

Symptoms of anxiety/depression and suicidal ideation were studied in medical students, house staff, and their spouses/partners in a large midwestern school by means of an anonymous questionnaire. A total of 634 medical students and 227 house staff completed the questionnaire. A significantly higher proportion of female trainees than male trainees reported symptoms of anxiety/depression (41% compared with 27%). This difference between men and women was most marked during residency training. The proportion of men reporting anxiety/depressive symptoms declined between medical school (33%) and residency (10%). No such decline occurred with women (medical students 42%, residents 37%).