Mental Health Risk Factors in University Medical Students: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health is a fundamental component of the comprehensive well-being of university students, which influences their ability to face the challenges of daily life, establish healthy relationships and reach their full potential. However, various risk factors can threaten this balance, generating vulnerability to mental disorders or emotional disorders. The objective of the review is to recognize the mental health risk factors in Latin American university students of the medical career. Methodology: This is a systematic review, descriptive observational research with a quantitative approach, where bibliographic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Spanish Medical Index (IME), Spanish Bibliographic Index in Health Sciences (IBECS), SciELO, Scopus, Springer, ProQuest, Scielo, Redalyc and Dialnet were used. The results showed that the high prevalence of mental disorders among medical students is mainly attributed to risk factors related to sex/gender, the academic environment, and psychosocial factors. Negative educational environments show a significant association with an increase in anxiety and depressive disorders in most studies. Students in the first levels of training have a poorer quality of life and an increase in the presence of Common Mental Disorders.