Dropout intention, academic stress, and depression in medical students

Authors

  • Marcela Henao Pérez Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
  • Diana Carolina López-Medina Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
  • Mariantonia Lemos Hoyos Universidad EAFIT, Colombia
  • Sara Bedoya Monsalve Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
  • Julián Zea Osorio Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
  • Sebastián Bañol Díaz Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
  • Luis Miguel Pérez Cardona Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.41.03.335.562

Keywords:

Dropout intention, stress, depression, medical student, higher education, education analysis

Abstract

University dropout is considered a significant issue in higher education institutions. Various factors may be associated with this phenomenon, including the presence of stress and depression among students.

Objective: To identify sociodemographic, familial, personal, and social factors associated with dropout intention, as well as levels of academic stress and depression.

Materials and methods: An analytical, observational cross-sectional study was conducted. The Systemic Cognitivist (SISCO) Inventory of Academic Stress and the Zung Depression Scale were administered to 616 medical students, both from the basic and clinical cycles, at a private university during the second semester of 2017.

Results: The average age of participants was 21 ± 3 years, and 65.6% were women. A total of 28% of students reported having considered dropping out at some point during their studies. Academic stress was found to be deep in 34.5% of students and mild to moderate in 65.5%. The prevalence of severe depression was 0.5%, moderate depression 3.9%, and mild depression 27.3%. Dropout ideation was associated with male sex (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.05-2.66), family relationships considered good to fair (OR 0.57; 95 % CI 0.37-0.89 and OR 0.38; 95 % CI 0.15-0.93, respectively), family pressure to pursue a medical degree (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.34-0.97), and stress levels (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.98-0.99).

Conclusion: Dropout ideation was associated with sex, academic stress, family relationships, and family pressure to study medicine.

Author Biographies

  • Marcela Henao Pérez, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia

    Médica y cirujana, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Colombia). Magíster y doctora en Neurociencias, Universidad Pablo de Olavide (España). Profesora asociada, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín (Colombia). marcela.henaop@campusucc.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7337-2871

  • Diana Carolina López-Medina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia

    Médica y cirujana, Universidad CES (Colombia). Magíster en Epidemiología, Universidad CES. Doctora en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Universidad Santiago de Compostela (España). Profesora auxiliar, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín (Colombia). diana.lopezme@campusucc.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2098-7319

  • Mariantonia Lemos Hoyos, Universidad EAFIT, Colombia

    Psicóloga, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Colombia). Magíster en Psicología, Universidad San Buenaventura (Colombia). Doctora en Psicología, Universidad de los Andes (Colombia). Profesora titular, Universidad EAFIT (Colombia). mlemosh@eafit.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9131-4704

  • Sara Bedoya Monsalve, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia

    Médica, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín (Colombia). sara.bedoyam@campusucc.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4161-823x

  • Julián Zea Osorio, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia

    Médico, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín (Colombia). julian.jazo1996@gmail.com. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1113-4517

  • Sebastián Bañol Díaz, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia

    Médico, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín (Colombia). sebastian.banold@campusucc.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6982-3342

  • Luis Miguel Pérez Cardona, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia

    Médico, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín (Colombia). luism.perezc@campusucc.edu.co. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4376-9130

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Published

2025-08-26

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Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

How to Cite

Dropout intention, academic stress, and depression in medical students. (2025). SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL SALUD UNINORTE, 41(3), 830-847. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.41.03.335.562

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