An evaluation of depressed mood in two classes of medical students

Ruth E. Levine, Stephanie D. Litwins, Ann W. Frye

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    33 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Objective: To assess depression rates in contemporary medical students. Method: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered anonymously to two medical school classes at matriculation, the end of first year, and the end of second year. Results: Median scores for both classes were low at all points. The proportion of students scoring in the moderate or severely depressed range increased from 5.8% at matriculation to 10.5% by end of Year 2 for the Class of 2004, and from 5.1% to 11.9% over the same time period for the Class of 2005. Overall, 75-83% of students at every administration scored in the lowest BDI score range. Conclusions: The percentage of medical students who experience depressed mood increased over time, but to a lesser degree than in previous studies.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)235-237
    Number of pages3
    JournalAcademic Psychiatry
    Volume30
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - May 2006

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Education
    • Psychiatry and Mental health

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