REGULATORY AND ADAPTIVE CAPABILITIES OF MEDICAL STUDENTS WITH VARYING DEGREES OF DEPRESSION

Abstract

Aim. This study seeks to ascertain the prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical students and assess their regulatory and adaptive statuses at the beginning and end of the academic year. Materials and methods. A sample of 184 apparently healthy medical students was evaluated. Depressive symptomatology was quantified using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Regulatory and adaptive statuses were assessed through the cardio-respiratory synchronism method, employing the index of regulatory-adaptive status (IRAS). Statistical analysis was conducted using the “Statistika 10.0” software package. Results. Students were categorized based on their depressive symptom severity: 50.6% exhibited normal levels, 33.7% showed mild depression, and 15.7% displayed moderate depression, with no cases of severe depression. By December, the proportion of students exhibiting mild and moderate depression had risen to 41.3% and 17.9%, respectively. Concurrently, there was a reduction in the range of cardio-respiratory synchronism and an elongation of the time required for synchronization at its minimal threshold. A decline in the IRAS was also noted across all groups. Conclusion. The identification of students with depressive symptoms at the start of the academic year, along with the subsequent increase in their numbers by year-end, necessitates interventions aimed at mitigating these conditions. The findings underscore the importance of fostering and preserving student health.