Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Medical Students: Prevalence, Severity, and Correlates
Abstract
Objectives The study aims were to estimate the prevalence and correlates of symptoms suggestive of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among medical students and investigate the severity and correlates of specific obsessive-compulsive symptom (OCS) dimensions in this population.Methods A cross-sectional study with 471 Brazilian medical students, who were assessed using the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R). The main outcomes were "probable OCD" (OCI-R score >27) and overall/dimensional OCI-R scores. Sociodemographic data, depressive symptoms, and several aspects of academic life were also investigated. Bivariate analyses were followed by regression models.Results Eighteen (3.8%) participants presented probable OCD, which was associated with depression. The mean OCI-R score was 8.9, and greater overall severity was independently associated with being a freshman, difficulty in adaptation, and depressive symptoms. Higher scores in the "checking" and "washing" dimensions were associated with being a freshman, in the "neutralization" and "ordering" dimensions with adaptation difficulties, and in the "hoarding" dimension with adaptation difficulties and depressive symptoms. The "obsession" dimension was associated with being a freshman, difficulty making friends, depressive symptoms, and psychological/psychiatric treatment.Conclusions Probable OCD is more frequent in medical students than in the general population and is associated with depressive symptoms. Efforts are required to identify OCS in this population, particularly among first-year students and to provide treatment, when necessary. Institutional programs that properly receive freshmen, enhancing their integration with other colleagues and their adaptation to the city, may decrease the level of stress and, consequently, OCS severity.
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The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of OCD among medical students surpasses that of the general population and is correlated with depressive symptoms.
“The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of OCD among medical students surpasses that of the general population and is correlated with depressive symptoms [15].”
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“The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of OCD among medical students surpasses that of the general population and is correlated with depressive symptoms [15].”
- Authors
- Torres, A. R., Cruz, B. L., Vicentini, H. C., Lima, M. C. P., & Ramos-Cerqueira, A. T. A.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) (BR)
- Corresponding author
- Torres, Albina R.
- Venue
- Academic Psychiatry
- Published
- 2015-06-25
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 46-54
- ISSN
- 1042-9670 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-7230
- OpenAlex
- W856123507
- Cited by
- 51
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 2.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Academic Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Acervo Digital da Universidade Estadual Paulista (Universidade Estadual Paulista) (submittedVersion)
- UNESP Institutional Repository (São Paulo State University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
- Keywords
- obsessive-compulsive symptoms, obsessive-compulsive disorder, medical students, prevalence, symptom severity, depressive symptoms, adaptation difficulties, first-year students, checking, washing, hoarding, neutralization, ordering, Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Brazil, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Female, Humans, Male, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Surveys and Questionnaires, Severity of Illness Index, Sex Factors, Students, Medical, Prevalence, Young Adult
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