Korean Medical Education Review (의학교육논단)

Yonsei university college of medicine (연세대학교 의과대학)
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Research Trends and Meta-Analysis of Variables Related to Depression in Korean Medical Students

의과대학생의 우울에 대한 국내 연구동향 및 관련 변인에 대한 메타분석

  • Hyun-Gyung Yang (Department of Medical Education, Konkuk University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kangmoon Kim (Department of Medical Education, Konkuk University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kyeong Ryong Lee (Department of Emergency Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine) ;
  • Sun-Geun Baek (Department of Education, Seoul National University)
  • 양현경 (건국대학교 의과대학 의학교육학교실) ;
  • 김강문 (건국대학교 의과대학 의학교육학교실) ;
  • 이경룡 (건국대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 백순근 (서울대학교 교육학과)
  • Received : 2023.05.09
  • Accepted : 2023.07.11
  • Published : 2023.10.31
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Abstract

This study aimed to analyze trends in research on depression among medical students in Korea and to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the average correlation coefficients between depression and related variables. In total, 38 quantitative studies (four theses and 34 journal articles) published between January 1995 and February 2023 were analyzed according to publication year, subjects, analysis methods, and measurement tools. Among them, 15 studies that provided numerical information on the relationships between depression and variables such as self-esteem, social support, grade point average (GPA), stress, and academic stress were selected for meta-analysis. The main findings of this study were as follows. First, quantitative research on depression among medical students began in earnest in 2009, and cross-sectional studies targeting first-year and second-year medical students were the most prevalent. Furthermore, the most commonly used analysis method was difference testing, and the Beck Depression Inventory was the most frequently used measurement tool. Second, the mean correlation coefficients between depression and stress, self-esteem, social support, academic stress, and GPA were 0.534, 0.532, 0.465, 0.390, and 0.102, respectively. The results for self-esteem, stress, and academic stress showed substantial heterogeneity, while those for social support and GPA showed little heterogeneity. These findings suggest that educational interventions, such as social support improvement programs, are necessary to prevent depression among medical students.

Keywords

References

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