Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medical and dental students face significant psychological challenges due to rigorous academic demands and clinical responsibilities, which often lead to depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS). The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened these issues internationally, and Saudi Arabia (SA) is not an exclusion. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of DAS among Saudi Arabian medical and dental students and determine significant socio-demographic and academic factors affecting their psychological well-being especially post worldwide pandemics. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among Saudi Arabian medical and dental students in July and August 2021. An online survey that included demographic information and the depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21) scale was used to gather data. It was disseminated nationwide via university emails and academic platforms. A total of 715 students participated in the survey, of whom 550 were dental students and 165 were medical students. Statistical analysis, including ordinal regression, was carried out using SPSS to assess the relationships between mental health outcomes and characteristics including study field, academic phase, and geography. Data were documented and statistically analyzed, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 for all parameters and tests. Cronbach's alpha scores for all DASS-21 subscales were more than 0.87, confirming the instrument's reliability. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of stress, anxiety, and depression were 88.5%, 67.3%, and 51.3%, respectively. Medical students reported higher levels of extreme stress (38.2%) and anxiety (42.4%) than dental students (30.4% and 24.7%, respectively). Medical students reported considerably higher stress in their clinical phase compared with their counterparts in preclinical phase. Preclinical dental students showed higher anxiety and depression than clinical students. Socio-demographic characteristics such as living conditions and region showed significant differences (p < 0.05), while gender and marital status exhibited no significant differences. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a high prevalence of psychological distress among medical and dental students in Saudi Arabia, particularly clinical medical and preclinical dental students. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address academic stress and enhance mental well-being, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to support students' mental health and resilience.