Anxiety Levels Among Parents of Medical Students at the Time of Admission: A Cross-Sectional Study of 55 Parents.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i1.769Keywords:
Parental anxiety, GAD-7, medical student admission, stress, mental health.Abstract
Background: Admission to medical school is often considered stressful not only for students but also for parents. Concerns about academic pressure, finances, safety, and career expectations may increase parental anxiety.
Objective: To assess the anxiety levels among parents of newly admitted medical students using a validated anxiety scale.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 55 parents during student admission counseling. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire, categorized as minimal, mild, moderate, or severe anxiety.
Results: The mean GAD-7 score was 8.6 ± 4.1. Mild anxiety was seen in 34.5%, moderate in 29.1%, and severe anxiety in 12.7%. Only 23.6% had minimal anxiety. Mothers showed significantly higher anxiety scores than fathers.
Conclusion: A substantial proportion of parents experienced elevated anxiety levels during the medical admission process. Psychological counseling and supportive communication may reduce anxiety and improve the overall admission experience.
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