An international study has found that master's and doctorate students suffer from depression and stress six times more than students in general education, according to a study in the scientific journal Nature.
The study, based on the participation of 2279 students in 26 countries, showed that more than 40 percent of participants suffered from varying degrees of anxiety, and about 40 percent of them showed signs of moderate to severe depression, Al-Watan newspaper reported.
Teresa Evans, a neurologist in Texas University and the principal investigator of the study, said the high ratio of affliction is a cause for concern. She noted students with stress or depression may be somewhat motivated to take part in the survey, which may have affected the results, but these findings confirm the seriousness of the problem and the need to address it.
Evans said universities should provide students with the necessary training to help manage their time and overcome stress. Psychiatrist Dr. Fahd Al-Mansour pointed out that the signs of anxiety appear on graduate students because of many pressures, most notably material demands.
Saudi students studying outside the Kingdom live in conditions that can be difficult, in addition to the personality factor. "Some personalities are more concerned and depressed than others, namely those who carry a great weight, seek perfection in everything and want whatever they do to be free of defects and errors," he said.
Al-Mansour said choosing the appropriate major is one of the reasons why students at this stage are either comfortable or anxious. "There are students who do not face many pressures due to the majors they study," he added.
Al-Mansour said the latest international study presents results that are close to the results of a national survey in Saudi Arabia, which showed a similar ratio of mental disorders among postgraduate students.
"We do not deny the existence of certain additional pressures on graduate students because of the high requirements of their degrees. Sometimes there are problems in the management of time or the choice of the major, and these factors play a role in increasing anxiety. Some of these students are parents themselves and have to care for their children and families. This is a powerful factor that increases the pressure on them," Al-Mansour said.
SOURCE : SAUDIGAZETTE
