📚 JIDAM — Open Access Dental Journal|ISSN: 2582-0559|IDA Madras
EditorReviewerAuthor
J
JIDAM
JIDAM
Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras
Open AccessPeer-ReviewedFree to Publish
Home›Archives›Vol 11, Issue 2 (Apr–Jun 2023)›Article 001
JIDAM · Vol 11, Issue 2 · April–June 2023
Review Article

Mental Well-Being in Healthcare: Prevalence and Severity of Subthreshold Depression Among Healthcare Students and Professionals in Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study

Devadharshini Chandrasekar · Brittilla Sharon · Burnice Nalina Kumari Chellathurai · Vijayalakshmi · Jaideep Mahendra
1Dept. of Periodontology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College & Hospital, MAHER, Chennai  •  2Dept. of Oral Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Dental College & Hospital, SRIHER, Chennai
Vol 11 · Issue 2 · 2023 DOI: 10.37841/jidam.2023.v11.i2.001 🔓 Open Access 📅 2023
5
Authors
15
References
2023
Year Published
📝Abstract

Background: Psychological distress, particularly depression, is increasingly prevalent among students and professionals in the healthcare sector in Tamil Nadu. Identifying subthreshold depression and its severity is essential for early intervention and mental health management. Aim: This study aims to assess subthreshold depression and its severity among healthcare students and professionals in Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among healthcare students and professionals in Tamil Nadu. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), which categorizes depression as mild, moderate, or severe, and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), which classifies scores as normal (<50), mild depression (50–59), moderate to marked major depression (60–69), and severe to extreme major depression (>70). Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 495 students and professionals participated in the survey. The distribution based on profession included dentists (54.55%), doctors (30.10%), nurses (11.11%), and other healthcare professionals (4.24%). Data were collected and assessed using PHQ-9 and SDS, with statistical analysis performed using the chi-square test. The findings indicated a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among healthcare professionals. Conclusion: The study highlights a significant burden of depression among healthcare students and professionals in Tamil Nadu. Given the demanding nature of the healthcare sector, regular mental health assessments and targeted interventions are necessary to support the well-being of these individuals.

Keywords: Depression, Healthcare Professionals, Mental Health, PHQ-9, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Psychological Distress
🔖How to Cite
Chandrasekar D, Sharon B, Chellathurai BNK, Vijayalakshmi, Mahendra J. Mental Well-Being in Healthcare: Prevalence and Severity of Subthreshold Depression Among Healthcare Students and Professionals in Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Indian Dent Assoc Madras. 2023;11(2). DOI: 10.37841/jidam.2023.v11.i2.001
Chandrasekar, D., Sharon, B., Chellathurai, B. N. K., Vijayalakshmi, & Mahendra, J. (2023). Mental Well-Being in Healthcare: Prevalence and Severity of Subthreshold Depression Among Healthcare Students and Professionals in Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.37841/jidam.2023.v11.i2.001
Chandrasekar, Devadharshini, et al. "Mental Well-Being in Healthcare: Prevalence and Severity of Subthreshold Depression Among Healthcare Students and Professionals in Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study." Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras, vol. 11, no. 2, 2023. DOI: 10.37841/jidam.2023.v11.i2.001.
Chandrasekar D, Sharon B, Chellathurai BNK, Vijayalakshmi, Mahendra J. Mental Well-Being in Healthcare: Prevalence and Severity of Subthreshold Depression Among Healthcare Students and Professionals in Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Indian Dent Assoc Madras. 2023;11(2). doi:10.37841/jidam.2023.v11.i2.001
Chandrasekar, Devadharshini, Brittilla Sharon, Burnice Nalina Kumari Chellathurai, Vijayalakshmi, and Jaideep Mahendra. "Mental Well-Being in Healthcare: Prevalence and Severity of Subthreshold Depression Among Healthcare Students and Professionals in Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study." Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras 11, no. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.37841/jidam.2023.v11.i2.001.
📚References
  1. Sravani A, Doshi D, Kulkarni S, Reddy P, Reddy S. Depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate dental students in Hyderabad City, Telangana, India: A cross-sectional study. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent. 2018;16:26–9.
  2. Kayarohanam S, Asokan R. AsiaeUniversity – India Geomatika University College– Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Int J Res Manag. 2015;6(5).
  3. Yamamoto A, Tsujimoto E, Taketani R, Tsujii N, Shirakawa O, Ono H. Depression Research and Treatment. 2018;2018:4201897.
  4. Chakraborty T, Subbiah GK, Damade Y. European Journal of Dentistry. 2020;14(S1).
  5. Murilo Áquila de Oliveira Viana, Érika Porto, Lydiane dos Santos Dantas, Franklin Delano Soares Forte, Sérgio D’Ávila Lins Bezerra Cavalcanti, Andreza Cristina de Lima Targino Massoni. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Dental Students and Associations with Sociodemographic Variables and the Academic Environment. Trends in Psychology. 2024;17:1–15.
  6. Faisal A, Abd Ghani ZA, Ismail Z, Abdul Rahman R, Abdul Rahman SR, Yusoff MSB. Stressors and Their Association with Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Dental Students. Makara Journal of Health Research. 2018;22(2):58–64.
  7. Basudan S, Binanzan N, Alhassan A. Depression, anxiety and stress in dental students. Int J Med Educ. 2017;8:179–86.
  8. Braz-José A, Contente MM, Costa P, Almeida N, Loureiro M, Malta M, et al. Stress, anxiety and depression in dental students: Impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 pandemic. Eur J Dent Educ. 2022;26(1):193–200.
  9. Kumar S, Dagli RJ, Mathur A, Jain M, Prabu D, Kulkarni S. Perceived sources of stress among dental college students: An Indian perspective. Eur J Dent Educ. 2009;13(1):39–45.
  10. Alzahem AM, van der Molen HT, Alaujan AH, Schmidt HG, Zamakhshary MH. Stress amongst dental students: a systematic review. Eur J Dent Educ. 2011;15(1):8–18.
  11. Elani HW, Allison PJ, Kumar RA, Mancini L, Lambrou A, Bedos C. A systematic review of stress in dental students. J Dent Educ. 2014;78(2):226–42.
  12. Pau AK, Croucher R. Emotional intelligence and perceived stress in dental undergraduates. J Dent Educ. 2003;67(9):1023–8.
  13. Humphris G, Blinkhorn A, Freeman R, Gorter R, Hoad-Reddick G, Murtomaa H, et al. Psychological stress in undergraduate dental students: baseline results from seven European dental schools. Eur J Dent Educ. 2002;6(1):22–9.
  14. Rajab LD. Perceived sources of stress among dental students at the University of Jordan. J Dent Educ. 2001;65(3):232–41.
  15. Acharya S. Factors affecting stress among Indian dental students. J Dent Educ. 2003;67(10):1140–8.