Abstract

FREQUENCY OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS EXPOSED TO CYBERBULLYING AT BIPBS/BMC QUETTA BALOCHISTAN: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Bilal Masood*, Abdul Ghfoor, Sikandar Azeem Panezai, Hazrat Ali and Aisha Siddiqa

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Abstract

Introduction: Associated with significant negative mental, social, and physical outcomes, technological advances have increased adolescents’ use of social media, and online communication platforms have exposed students to another mode of bullying cyberbullying. The effects of cyberbullying have been predominantly explored in the area of adolescents’ mental health concerns. Objective: To determine the frequency of depression, anxiety and stress among medical students exposed to cyberbullying at BIPBS/BMC Quetta Balochistan. Study design: Cross sectional study. Study setting: Study was conducted at BIPBS/BMC, Quetta Balochistan. Duration of study: Study period was 25-11-20 to 25-11-21. Methodology: Data was prospectively collected from patients after taking a verbal consent. 139 patients who met the diagnostic criteria were included. Quantitative data was presented as simple descriptive statistics giving mean and standard deviation and qualitative variables was presented as frequency and percentages. Effect modifiers were controlled through stratification to see the effect of these on the outcome variable. Post stratification chi square test was applied taking p-value of ≤0.05 as significant. Results: A total of 139 medical students were included in this study. Mean age in our study was 22.14±1.41 years. 69 (49.6%) were male and 70 (50.4%) were female. Out of 139 medical students, 12.9%, 23.7% and 39.6% had depression, anxiety and stress. Conclusion: Findings from the current study shows high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among cyberbullied medical student requiring attention from health care professionals, educators, and caring parents for effective management.

Keywords: Cyberbullying, medical students, cyber victim, cyberbully victim, mental health, psychological well being, social support, depression, anxiety and stress.