[2026-04-07] Association Between Purpose in Life and Depression in Medical Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Thai Medical School
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33165/rmj.2027.e279141Keywords:
Burnout, Depression, Meaning in life, Purpose in life, Medical students, Medical undergraduatesAbstract
Background: Although previous studies have shown that higher levels of life purpose are negatively associated with depressive symptom severity in various subpopulations in adults, limited data exist regarding undergraduates, especially medical students.
Objectives: To examine the relationship between life purpose and depression while exploring other factors associated with depression among medical students.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a medical school in Thailand, assessing depression and burnout using the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey Thai version. Life purpose was measured with the 25-item short form of the Purpose in Life Scale for Thai Adolescents, where higher scores indicated a greater sense of life purpose.
Results: Among 90 students surveyed, the prevalence of depression and burnout was 34.4% and 17.8%, respectively. The 3 most important life goals selected by the participants belonged to family, personal well-being, and professional success or advancement. Associated factors for depression included a history of psychiatric disorders (odds ratio [OR], 5.89; P = .015) and burnout (OR, 6.92; P = .005). A high level of life purpose was inversely associated with depression, which reduced odds by 78% (OR, 0.22; P = .011).
Conclusions: This study identified several factors associated with depression and highlights the importance of life purpose, which was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms among medical students.
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