Cited by 990Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnoutMental Health Treatment and AccessCOVID-19 and Mental Health

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 133 of the 136 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The Global Prevalence of Anxiety Among Medical Students: A Meta-Analysis

Open access

Tian-Ci Quek, Travis, Wai-San Tam, Wilson, X. Tran, Bach, Zhang, Min, Zhang, Zhisong, Su-Hui Ho, Cyrus, Chun-Man Ho, Roger·2019·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI 10.3390/ijerph16152735PMC PMC6696211

Open this paper in CoChat — free account Open PDF

Abstract

Anxiety, although as common and arguably as debilitating as depression, has garnered less attention, and is often undetected and undertreated in the general population. Similarly, anxiety among medical students warrants greater attention due to its significant implications. We aimed to study the global prevalence of anxiety among medical students and the associated factors predisposing medical students to anxiety. In February 2019, we carried out a systematic search for cross-sectional studies that examined the prevalence of anxiety among medical students. We computed the aggregate prevalence and pooled odds ratio (OR) using the random-effects model and used meta-regression analyses to explore the sources of heterogeneity. We pooled and analyzed data from sixty-nine studies comprising 40,348 medical students. The global prevalence rate of anxiety among medical students was 33.8% (95% Confidence Interval: 29.2–38.7%). Anxiety was most prevalent among medical students from the Middle East and Asia. Subgroup analyses by gender and year of study found no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of anxiety. About one in three medical students globally have anxiety—a prevalence rate which is substantially higher than the general population. Administrators and leaders of medical schools should take the lead in destigmatizing mental illnesses and promoting help-seeking behaviors when students are stressed and anxious. Further research is needed to identify risk factors of anxiety unique to medical students.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/ijerph16152735

Cites

133 of 133 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Figure 1 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram illustrating the search and selection process of a March 2019 systematic review of the literature on prevalence of anxiety among medical students. a One article (El-Gilany, 2008) reported two studies.CC BY · PubMed Central

Figure 2 Forest plot of studies (n = 69) examining the prevalence of anxiety among medical students (n = 40,348). 95% CI: = 95% confidence interval.CC BY · PubMed Central

Figure 3 Forest plot of studies (n = 8) comparing the prevalence of anxiety between medical and non-medical students.CC BY · PubMed Central

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & for the PRISMA Group (2009) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.b2535 · Cited by 83,823
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & The PRISMA Group (2009) · PLoS Medicine · doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097 · Cited by 64,042 · cited 1×
“The selection process, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [18], is detailed in Figure 1.”
Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test
Egger, M., Smith, G. D., Schneider, M., & Minder, C. (1997) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.315.7109.629 · Cited by 56,722 · cited 1×
“We evaluated publication bias using the Egger’s regression method [22].”
Method
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Zigmond, A. S., & Snaith, R. P. (1983) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1983.tb09716.x · Cited by 47,139 · cited 4×
“As a comparison, the prevalence of anxiety among the general population was found to be 3% as screened by the DASS-21 [96], 8.2% as screened by the GAD-7 [97], not more than 10% as screened by the BAI-21 [98] and not more than 25% as screened by the HADS-A [99].”
MethodInfluential
A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder: The GAD-7
Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B. W., & Löwe, B. (2006) · Archives of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092 · Cited by 31,765 · cited 4×
“As a comparison, the prevalence of anxiety among the general population was found to be 3% as screened by the DASS-21 [96], 8.2% as screened by the GAD-7 [97], not more than 10% as screened by the BAI-21 [98] and not more than 25% as screened by the HADS-A [99].”
MethodInfluential
The Effect of Riding as an Alternative Treatment for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wang, G., Ma, R., Qiao, G., Wada, K., Aizawa, Y., & Satoh, T. (2015) · Integrative Medicine International · doi:10.1159/000368408 · Cited by 18,762
An inventory for measuring clinical anxiety: Psychometric properties.
Beck, A. T., Epstein, N., Brown, G., & Steer, R. A. (1988) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.56.6.893 · Cited by 14,407 · cited 4×
“As a comparison, the prevalence of anxiety among the general population was found to be 3% as screened by the DASS-21 [96], 8.2% as screened by the GAD-7 [97], not more than 10% as screened by the BAI-21 [98] and not more than 25% as screened by the HADS-A [99].”
MethodInfluential
Depression and quality of life in older persons: A review
Sivertsen, H., Bjørkløf, G. H., Engedal, K., Selbæk, G., & Helvik, A.-S. (2015) · Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders · doi:10.1159/000437299 · Cited by 14,152
The short‐form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS‐21): Construct validity and normative data in a large non‐clinical sample
Henry, J. D., & Crawford, J. R. (2005) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1348/014466505x29657 · Cited by 5,801 · cited 4×
“As a comparison, the prevalence of anxiety among the general population was found to be 3% as screened by the DASS-21 [96], 8.2% as screened by the GAD-7 [97], not more than 10% as screened by the BAI-21 [98] and not more than 25% as screened by the HADS-A [99].”
MethodInfluential
Anxiety and cognitive performance: Attentional control theory
Eysenck, M. W., Derakshan, N., Santos, R., & Calvo, M. G. (2007) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/1528-3542.7.2.336 · Cited by 5,289 · cited 1×
“Anxiety can also impair goal-directed attention and concentration [9], working memory [10], and perceptual-motor function [11], all of which are important domains which enable medical students and physicians to provide safe and efficacious medical care to patients.”
Background

Show all 136 references

Research works printed but not linked: 2

Prinz, 2012, Burnout, depression and depersonalisation--psychological factors and coping strategies in dental and medical students, GMS Z Med. Ausbild, 29, Doc10
Lydiard, 2001, Irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and depression: What are the links?, J. Clin. Psychiatry, 62, 38

Sorted by citations

Items 801–900 of 988

Exploring the Impact of Problem-Based Learning on the Emotions of Business Administration and Management Students
Muerza, V., Gargallo, P., & Salvador, M. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-72549-4_18
Ansiedade, depressão e estresse nos estudantes do primeiro ano de medicina da universidade tiradentes: uma revisão de campo
de Carvalho, B. F., Pereira, I. C. R. D. A., Roza, I. F. S., Souza, J. D. S., de Azevedo, M. R. D., Lima, T. W. C. C., Melo, L. O., & Oliveira, H. F. (2024) · Caderno Pedagógico · doi:10.54033/cadpedv21n12-006
Health anxiety during a global pandemic: a comparison of medical and non-medical students in Mashhad, Iran
Nahidi, M., Bordbar, M. R. F., Mohammadi, H., Morovatdar, N., Emadzadeh, M., & Mirshafiei, H. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1466026 · Cited by 1
ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND STRESS IN FIRST-YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS AT TIRADENTES UNIVERSITY: A FIELD REVIEW
de Carvalho, B. F., Pereira, I. C. R. D. A., Roza, I. F. S., Souza, J. D. S., de Azevedo, M. R. D., Lima, T. W. C. C., Melo, L. O., & Oliveira, H. F. (2024) · Seven Editora eBooks · doi:10.56238/sevened2024.031-086
Magnitude of Psychological Distress Among Medical and Non-Medical Students During the Late Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in West Bengal: A Cross-Sectional Study
Das, U., Ganguly, A. R., Haldar, D., & Mukhopadhyay, A. (2024) · International Journal of Medical Students · doi:10.5195/ijms.2024.2446
Associations of Plant-Based Foods, Animal Products, and Selected Sociodemographic Factors with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Risk
Shikieri, A. B. E., Eltahir, Z., Aman, A., & Alhadramy, M. (2024) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph21121696
Estresse, ansiedade, depressão e qualidade de vida ao longo da graduação médica: estudo longitudinal
Maddalena, N. D. C. P. (2023) · doi:10.34019/ufjf/te/2023/00144 · Cited by 1
Efektivitas Pendidikan Kesehatan Menggunakan Media Buku Kesehatan Jiwa Berbahasa Lokal Terhadap Pengetahuan Kesehatan Jiwa Remaja SMA di Kabupaten Kupang
Riantiarno, F., Suhardin, S., Lagut, Y. F. N., Dee, T. M. T., Sakinah, S., Lote, R. R., & Bire, D. D. A. (2024) · Jurnal Keperawatan Florence Nightingale · doi:10.52774/jkfn.v7i2.301 · Cited by 1
The feasibility of an innovative online mind-body wellness program for medical students
Ray, C., Jha, S., Watt, M., Hyde, A. M., McGowan, K., Tymchuk, S., & Tandon, P. (2025) · Canadian Medical Education Journal · doi:10.36834/cmej.77658
Medical Education and Specialty Training Needs on Comorbidities
Kendrick, K., & Isaac, M. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-81802-8_21
Self-Esteem and Mindfulness among Undergraduate Medical Students with Social Anxiety Disorder
Lella, S., Benerji, T., Kodali, M., & Chennuri, P. A. (2024) · Bengal Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.25259/bjpsy_2_2024
Validation of the Chinese version of the perceived medical school stress (PMSS) scale and analysis of the associated factors
Zhang, C., Liang, C., Zhang, F., Zhang, Q., & Xu, K. (2025) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-025-02604-4 · Cited by 1
Cross-cultural Adaptation of Neuroanxiety Scale and Neuroanatomy Self-Efficacy Scale in an Undergraduate Medical Program in Indonesia
Christianta, D., & Findyartini, A. (2025) · Medical Science Educator · doi:10.1007/s40670-025-02367-y
Ringxiety and internet addiction as factors affecting medical students’ behaviour during clinical rotations
Solecka, A., Román, A. B., Łuba, M., Lenkiewicz, O., Lenkiewicz, J., Trzciński, M., & Sobczak, K. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-01700-0
“The study conducted by Quek et. al. revealed that the global prevalence of anxiety among medical students was 33.8%, which is significantly higher than that of the general population 30 .”
Influential
Beyond Hogwarts and sorting hats
Peng, E. T. C. (2025) · doi:10.26481/dis.20250610et
Associations between daily wellness behaviours and outcomes among medical students: A longitudinal nightly survey study
Milne, A., Novelli, A., Watson, C., Yousef, H., Copeland, W., Holterman, L. A., Rosen, L., Bai, Y., Curl, A., Pasqualoni, S., et al. (2025) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/medu.15724
Impacto de COVID-19 en la salud mental de los estudiantes de medicina
Santabárbara, J., & Bueno‐Notivol, J. (2022) · HUMAN REVIEW International Humanities Review / Revista Internacional de Humanidades · doi:10.37819/revhuman.v15i3.1340
Relationship Between Sports and Stress Levels in Medical Students of The Class of 2022
Batubara, F. R., Anandinata, I. N. D., & Achmad, L. N. (2025) · KESANS International Journal of Health and Science · doi:10.54543/kesans.v4i9.374
Reptilian hunchbacks: a systematic review and meta-analysis of spinal deformities in wild reptilesPreprint
Horváth, G. (2025) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2025.06.23.661054
A influência do estresse no desempenho acadêmico e qualidade do sono: um estudo transversal com estudantes universitários
Deodato, G. M. R., Cadena, A. L. O., Paiva, S. M. P., Gonçalves, G. F., & Abrantes, E. D. A. S. (2025) · HSJ. · doi:10.21876/hsjhci.v15.e1602 · Cited by 2
Investigation Anxiety Level and its Effect on Learning Performance among Primary School Students: A cross-sectional Survey
Hamadi, N. T., & Majeed, H. (2025) · Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine · doi:10.4103/jnsm.jnsm_84_25
Navigating Negative Trends in Body Image Perception: Associations with Anxiety, Depression, and Self-Esteem Among Undergraduate Medical Students in South Kerala – A Cross-Sectional StudyPreprint
Kuttikkatt, J., Thankam, K., Harishankar, A., Sukumaran, G. P., Joseph, J., James, J., Ramachandran, R. V., & John, A. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5356064
Associations among resilience, coping strategies, and anxiety in undergraduate nursing students: A mediation modelPreprint
Liu, Y., Mei, X., Chen, C., & Liang, J. (2025) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-7137549/v1
Protective and risk factors for the mental health of medical students from their perspective
Custódio, C. G., do Cabo, J. S., Fasanella, N. A., de Almeida, F. A., & Pavan, M. V. (2025) · Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica · doi:10.1590/1981-5271v49.3-2024.0295.ing
TIP FAKÜLTESİ İNTÖRNLERİNİN KAYGI DÜZEYİNİN İNCELENMESİ
Güngör, H. S., Tamer, E. A., Çetinkaya, A. M., Melendizli, M., Gümüş, H., Gürbüz, B. E., Bardakçı, S., & Saygun, M. (2025) · Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi · doi:10.24938/kutfd.1639303
Association between psychoemotional variables and functional gastrointestinal symptoms in medical students: a cross-sectional study based on Rome IV criteria
Torales, J. C., Torres-Romero, A. D., Vera-Villanueva, G., Villalba-Ávalos, M., Roa-Peña, A., Ayala-Páez, E., Giménez-Correa, L., O’Higgins, M. G., Caycho‐Rodríguez, T., Castaldelli-Maia, J. M., et al. (2025) · Psychology Health & Medicine · doi:10.1080/13548506.2025.2565519
Digital Mental Health Applications: Utilization, Perceptions, and Barriers Among Medical Students at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 2024, A Cross-Sectional Study
Takrooni, W., Bakhsh, E., Hariri, N. H., & Elahi, I. N. (2025) · F1000Research · doi:10.12688/f1000research.169319.1
АКАДЕМІЧНА УСПІШНІСТЬ СТУДЕНТІВ-МЕДИКІВ ТА ВПЛИВ ПАНДЕМІЇ COVID-19: ЩО Є ВИЗНАЧАЛЬНИМ?
Ivankiv, V. Y., & Shevchuk, O. O. (2025) · Здобутки клінічної і експериментальної медицини · doi:10.11603/1811-2471.2025.v.i3.15558
Antibiotic self-medication among healthcare students in Pakistan: A dual-center cross-sectional study
Rehman, S., Sarfraz, M. R., Tariq, H., Ismail, A., Mansoor, M., Salman, A., Ajaz, S., Ijaz, M., Hasnat, A., Mehmood, H., et al. (2025) · Work · doi:10.1177/10519815251382367
How does fear of COVID-19 differ from depression and generalized anxiety in the interplay of death anxiety and emotion regulation?
Özdemir, B. N., & Demirsöz, T. (2025) · Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi · doi:10.57127/kpd.26024438.1599031
Does preoperative anxiety influence endodontic skill performance and students’ subjective perceptions in an observational simulation-based study?
Var, E., Cam, Y., Pektas, E., & Küden, C. (2025) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-025-07957-3
The impact of social and structural support on anxiety among academics in health professions fieldsPreprint
Andy, A., Tonge, N., Michaels, P.-E., & Holz, M. K. (2025) · medRxiv · doi:10.1101/2025.10.13.25337911
Qualitative investigation of academic routines and mental health among medical students following coronavirus vaccination
Felix, S. N., Costa, A. P. L., Andrade, J. M., Correia, A. T., Arantes-Costa, F. M., Kobayasi, R., Garcia, M. L. B., Ballester, D., Martins, M. A., Tempski, P. Z., et al. (2025) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-025-03499-x
“Recent meta-analyses have confirmed that rates of depression and anxiety among medical students are considerably higher than those in the general population, with pooled prevalence estimates exceeding 25–30% for depressive symptoms and approximately 33% for anxiety disorders [11, 12].”
Religiousness, spirituality, and mental health in Brazilian medical students
de Freitas, L. J., Lucchetti, G., Maia, M., Machado, G. M., & Vitorino, L. M. (2025) · Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/19349637.2025.2570235
“Some studies suggest that this group may experience poorer mental health outcomes (Pacheco et al., 2017), while others propose that they may derive similar benefits to highly religious individuals (de Brito Sena et al., 2021; Quek et al., 2019; Vitorino et al., 2018).”
DEPRESSÃO E ANSIEDADE: ANÁLISE DA PREVALÊNCIA E FATORES DE RISCO EM ESTUDANTES UNIVERSITÁRIOS NO OESTE DO PARÁ
Kerr, K. D. S., Tirapelle, R. B., Maia, E. C., & da Ponte, N. P. D. L. V. (2025) · Revista Contemporânea · doi:10.56083/rcv5n10-158
SAÚDE MENTAL NO ENSINO MÉDICO: PANORAMA DE PREVALÊNCIA EM UMA INSTITUIÇÃO PRIVADA DO CENTRO-OESTE BRASILEIRO
Dionízio, D. L., & Victer, E. D. F. (2025) · Revista Foco · doi:10.54751/revistafoco.v18n11-047
ESTRATÉGIAS DE ENFRENTAMENTO À ANSIEDADE EM ESTUDANTES DE MEDICINA: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA
Vásquez, C. A. C., Araújo, G. R. M., Lima, J. P. C., Santos, M. E. D. S., de Freitas, M. N. V., Viana, M. G., & Ximenes, K. W. F. (2025) · Aracê. · doi:10.56238/arev7n11-166
Concerns of first-year medical students regarding their future profession: an international study
Neumaier, V., Bratu, J., van Wijngaarden, J., Ruiz, M., Constantinou, C., Lundman, P., Wahlgren, A., Kantenwein, V., Berberat, P. O., & Wijnen‐Meijer, M. (2025) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-025-08273-6
Prevention of mental health disorders among foreign medical students and psychological and psychiatric care: modern approaches
Евгеньевич, Н. Е., Орлов, Ф. В., Голенков, А. В., & Lugovskaya, A. A. (2025) · Acta medica Eurasica · doi:10.47026/2413-4864-2025-3-98-117
Teaching by Humiliation in Australian Medical Students: Its Prevalence, Relationship with Mental Distress, and the Factors Underlying the Relationship
Wigg, L., Chao, M., & Li, W. W. (2025) · Medical Science Educator · doi:10.1007/s40670-025-02593-4
Apoio social percebido e saúde mental de comunidade acadêmica discente de faculdade de medicina
Cintra, M. E. C., Shimomura, F. M., Costa, R. F. A., & Petroucic, R. T. (2025) · Manuscripta Medica · doi:10.59255/mmed.2025112
PREVALENCE OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS
de Abreu, J. S., & Bispo, C. B. D. S. (2025) · Health and Society · doi:10.51249/hs.v5i06.2729
Problem-solving capabilities in healthcare education: a multigroup analysis of psychological factors in medical and dental students
İŞCAN, G., & Gürdal, O. (2025) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-025-08397-9
Additional file 1 of Epidemiology of anxiety disorders: global burden and sociodemographic associations
Javaid, S. F., Hashim, I. J., Hashim, M. J., Stip, É., Samad, M. A., & Ahbabi, A. A. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26579618
Additional file 1 of Levels of depression, anxiety and subjective happiness among health sciences students in Croatia: a multi-centric cross-sectional study
Milić, J., Skitarelić, N., Majstorović, D., Zoranić, S., Čivljak, M., Ivanišević, K., Marendić, M., Mesarić, J., Puharić, Z., Neuberg, M., et al. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.24995552
Additional file 1 of Perspectives on mental health services for medical students at a Ugandan medical school
Kihumuro, R. B., Kaggwa, M. M., Nakandi, R. M., Kintu, T. M., Muwanga, D. R., Muganzi, D. J., Atwau, P., Ayesiga, I., Acai, A., Najjuka, S. M., et al. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.21400373
Additional file 2 of Levels of depression, anxiety and subjective happiness among health sciences students in Croatia: a multi-centric cross-sectional study
Milić, J., Skitarelić, N., Majstorović, D., Zoranić, S., Čivljak, M., Ivanišević, K., Marendić, M., Mesarić, J., Puharić, Z., Neuberg, M., et al. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.24995579
Additional file 1 of Global prevalence of obesity and overweight among medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Shafiee, A., Nakhaee, Z., Bahri, R. A., Amini, M. J., Salehi, A., Jafarabady, K., Seighali, N., Rashidian, P., Fathi, H., Esmaeilpur Abianeh, F., et al. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26094312
Additional file 1 of Latinas in medicine: evaluating and understanding the experience of Latinas in medical education: a cross sectional survey
Geiger, G., Kiel, L., Horiguchi, M., Martinez‐Aceves, C., Meza, K., Christophers, B., Orellana, P., Pinzon, M. M., Lubner, S. J., & Florez, N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26660239
Additional file 1 of The influence of excessive stress on medical students in the Czech Republic – national sample
Palička, M., Rybář, M., Mechúrová, B., Paličková, N., Sobelová, T., Pokorná, K., & Cvek, J. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26575745
Additional file 2 of The influence of excessive stress on medical students in the Czech Republic – national sample
Palička, M., Rybář, M., Mechúrová, B., Paličková, N., Sobelová, T., Pokorná, K., & Cvek, J. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26575748
Additional file 2 of Latinas in medicine: evaluating and understanding the experience of Latinas in medical education: a cross sectional survey
Geiger, G., Kiel, L., Horiguchi, M., Martinez‐Aceves, C., Meza, K., Christophers, B., Orellana, P., Pinzon, M. M., Lubner, S. J., & Florez, N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26660242
Additional file 1 of Gender differences in learning and study strategies impact medical students’ preclinical and USMLE step 1 examination performance
Saxena, S., Wright, W. S., & Khalil, M. K. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26717286
Additional file 1 of The framework of Systematic Assessment for Resilience (SAR): development and validation
Wadi, M., Yusoff, M.-H., Taha, M. H., Shorbagi, S., Lah, N. A. Z. N., & Rahim, A. F. A. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26580437
Additional file 2 of Epidemiology of anxiety disorders: global burden and sociodemographic associations
Javaid, S. F., Hashim, I. J., Hashim, M. J., Stip, É., Samad, M. A., & Ahbabi, A. A. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26579621
Additional file 1 of Prevalence of pharmacological and non-pharmacological coping mechanisms for anxiety management during the COVID-19 pandemic: investigating the transition to online learning among medical students
Almarri, F. K., Alaseem, A. M., Alanazi, M. S., Alyahya, S., Alsanad, N. H., Alswayed, K. E., Alanazi, J., Alharby, T. N., & Alghamdi, S. A. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.21557567
Additional file 1 of Anxiety and depression and their interdependent influencing factors among medical students in Inner Mongolia: the cross-sectional survey
Wang, Q., Zhang, B., Zhang, S., Wei, C., Fu, D., Zhao, H., & Bai, X. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.21557561
Additional file 3 of Levels of depression, anxiety and subjective happiness among health sciences students in Croatia: a multi-centric cross-sectional study
Milić, J., Skitarelić, N., Majstorović, D., Zoranić, S., Čivljak, M., Ivanišević, K., Marendić, M., Mesarić, J., Puharić, Z., Neuberg, M., et al. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26667343
Additional file 1 of Development and psychometric properties of COVID-19 related Healthcare Student stress scale (CHSSS)
Baghcheghi, N., Mesri, M., Karimi, M., Bigdeli, S., & Koohestani, H. R. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.19373400
Medicinal Mushrooms and Mental Disorders: How Mushrooms Affect Anxiety and Depression
Tarki, A., Hajikarim‐Hamedani, A., Rassa, S., & Khosravi, S. (2025) · Nutritional neurosciences · doi:10.1007/978-981-95-2774-8_6
The Effects Of COVID-19 On Medical Faculty Students
Ateş, K., Çimen, İ. D., Alvur, T. M., & Coşkun, B. (2025) · Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası · doi:10.25282/ted.1681906
Development and Validation of a Nomogram to Predict Risk Factors for Anxiety Symptoms in Postgraduate Medical Students
Mehta, S., Bansal, R., & Sood, P. (2025) · Interdisciplinary Research in Medical Sciences Specialty · doi:10.51847/lwbba590nm
Comparison of perceived stress levels and imposter syndrome in medical imaging students on the traditional degree versus apprenticeship degree programmes at a UK university
Stevens, H., & Manning, F. (2026) · Radiography · doi:10.1016/j.radi.2025.103297
Exploration of Mental Health and Stress Among Nursing Interns Through a Chatbot: A Single-Group Pilot Study
Kuo, Y., Hou, W.-L., Fetzer, S. J., Lin, Y.-N., Hsu, H.-F., Liu, M.-C., & Lee, J.-D. (2026) · Nurse Educator · doi:10.1097/nne.0000000000002107
Mental health disorders among Sudanese medical students amid the 2023 conflict: prevalence, predictors, and implications
Alfadul, E. S. A., Alrawa, S. S. K., Tebaig, B., Molodynski, A., & Osman, A. H. M. (2026) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-026-07843-2
Peer-led mentoring intervention for test anxiety reduction among medical students: development, implementation, and prospective evaluation
Bharti, B., Malhotra, N., Virk, A., Kaur, V., Malhi, P., & Loomba, P. S. (2026) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-026-08697-8
“A meta-analysis by Quek TT et al. estimated a global prevalence of anxiety among medical students at 33.8%, while test-specific anxiety has been reported in nearly 50% of medical students [7, 20].”
Influential
Tıp Fakültesi Altıncı Sınıf Öğrencilerinin Acil Serviste Çalışma Anksiyetesinin ve İlişkili Faktörlerin Değerlendirilmesi
Kara, G., Korgan, M. B., Gökçek, K., Karaali, R., Gülmez, H., Güvenç, E., & Küçük, M. (2025) · DergiPark (Istanbul University)
Mental health profiles and resilience among medical students in an active conflict zone: a cluster analysis
Asmar, N., Karam, V. Y., Bahous, S. A., & Akiki, Z. (2026) · Medical Education Online · doi:10.1080/10872981.2026.2626139
USO DE PSICOFÁRMACOS POR ESTUDANTES DE MEDICINA EM REGIÃO DE TRÍPLICE FRONTEIRA
Núñez, N., & Mombelli, M. A. (2026) · RECIMA21 - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar · doi:10.47820/recima21.v7i2.7232
Using neurocognitive profiles and common personality traits to predict academic success in written examination and growth trajectory in undergraduate medical education
Landoll, R. R., Clark, M. F., Bennion, L. D., Thornton, K. B., Iwuagwu, R. J., Torre, D. M., & Durning, S. J. (2026) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.1080/0142159x.2026.2628960 · Cited by 1
“Flying the Nest” – The Transition from the Pre-Clinical to Clinical Years in Medical Education: A Pilot Study Exploring Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities for Enhancement
Lowry, S., & Toner, P. (2026) · Advances in Medical Education and Practice · doi:10.2147/amep.s575726 · Cited by 1
Psychometric Behaviour of the GAD-7 in Medical Students: Structural Stability, Measurement Equivalence and Contextual Sensitivity
Durán, P., Ortega, Á., Galbán, N., Vera, I., Díaz, A., Navarro, C., Carrasquero, R., Salazar, J. J., Hernández-Lalinde, J., Bermúdez, V., et al. (2026) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare14050563 · Cited by 1
Effectiveness of Foundation Course in Improving the Mental Health of Indian Medical Graduate: A Prospective Observational Study
Kanagamuthu, R., Rajma, J., Valluvan, P., Karthikeyhan, S., Thirunavukkarasu, S., & Chandrasekaran, A. A. (2026) · National Journal of Physiology · doi:10.5005/njp-11056-0005
Factors associated with low levels of resilience among French university students during COVID-19 lockdown: results of the cross-sectional PIMS-CoV19 survey
Todorović, A., Baumann, C., Tarquinio, C., Rotonda, C., Rousseau, H., & Bourion-Bédès, S. (2026) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-108188
Perceived Stress and Subjective Happiness in Medical Students Before and After a Wellness Speaker Session
Marupudi, S., Hensley, J., Gullapalli, S., Maria, D. S., & Anand, N. (2026) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.104477
“[1,4,5], and stress (41”
From stress to success: using physiological data to predict cardiopulmonary resuscitation simulation performance
Queirolo, L., Mormando, G., Vittadello, A., Cason, G., Maino, B., Pettenuzzo, T., Sella, N., Zarantonello, F., Boscolo, A., Zanette, G., et al. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1659195
“…al., 2016), and numerous reports highlight globally (Loeppke et al., 2017; Xiao et al., 2014) the high prevalence of occupational stress and burnout in emergency departments (EDs) worldwide—an issue also strongly evidenced among general medical students (Queirolo et al., 2024c; Quek et al., 2019).”
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of selected Dinacarya practices among BAMS Students in Kerala - A Cross Sectional Study
Aakash, K., & Krishnan, A. (2026) · Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2026.101320
IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DO COMPONENTE DE HABILIDADES SOCIOEMOCIONAIS NA GRADUAÇÃO EM MEDICINA: PROTOCOLO DE REVISÃO DE ESCOPO
dos Santos, I. A. R., Demartini, K., Cabral, R. H., da Rocha, H. C. G., Peixoto, J. J. D. A., Laurentino, J. C., & Gomes, N. P. (2026) · RECIMA21 - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar · doi:10.47820/recima21.v7i3.7424
Anxiety in Students and Its Impact on the Development of Harmful Oral Habits
Makhlynets, N. P., Pyuryk, M., Kobryn, O. P., Romanyshyn, S. S., & Kobryn, N. (2025) · DENTISTRY MEDICINE REHABILITATION · doi:10.64124/dmr-2025-3-4-4
Cognitive bias profiles associated with anxiety, depression, and social anxiety in medical students from a transdiagnostic perspective
Yang, J., Zhang, G., Dai, B., & Li, M. (2026) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-025-08650-w
Prevalence and burden of migraine in university students in Ireland: a cross-sectional study
Flynn, O., Fullen, B. M., Tamulevicius, N., & Blake, C. M. (2026) · Physical Therapy Reviews · doi:10.1080/10833196.2026.2626891
The effect of meditation on exam anxiety of nursing students: a randomized clinical trial
Farahani, P. V., & Ozturk, C. (2026) · Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) · doi:10.1007/s11845-026-04308-z
Environmental disruption, psychological resilience, and perceived stress coping among health trainees during sudden institutional relocation
Bondi, M. E., Mualip, N., Mahadi, N. B., Usli, S. B., Jeplin, R. G., & Chai, R. T. (2026) · Discover Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12982-026-01793-6
Network Analysis of Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Burnout, Insomnia, Quality of Life, and Dropout Intention Among Chinese Medical Postgraduates
Wu, M., Li, Z., Wang, X. M., Xu, H., Liu, Y., Li, M., Yuan, W., Peng, H., Wu, Q., & Liu, T. (2026) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1155/da/3424408
Promotion de la santé environnementale chez les femmes enceintes et les étudiants en santé : Identification des fonctions-clés
Ouazzani, H. E. (2021) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/c6b9c8bdzfb57z462az9990zd44b451c63c4
SAÚDE MENTAL DE ESTUDANTES DE MEDICINA: OVERVIEW DA LITERATURA SOBRE PREVALÊNCIA, FATORES ASSOCIADOS E IMPLICAÇÕES PARA POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS
Pandolphi, R., Marques, B. R., Signori, P. M., & de Oliveira, G. M. C. (2026) · Cognitus Interdisciplinary Journal · doi:10.71248/t5yyce95
The Efficacy of Local Versus Overseas Natural Environments in 360-Degree Virtual Reality Video for Improving Mental Wellness in Medical Students: A Retrospectively Registered Two-Arm Parallel Randomized Trial
bin Hatta, M. H., Samad, F. D. A., Chong, S. K., & Saini, S. M. (2026) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare14081087
Associations between Psychological Flexibility–Inflexibility Spectrum Proposed by the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Anxiety and Insomnia Symptoms in Young Adults
Zakiei, A., Nikzadi, H., & Komasi, S. (2026) · Annals of Indian Psychiatry · doi:10.4103/aip.aip_5_25
Prevalence of Illness Anxiety Disorder and Its Relation to Anxiety Among Medical Students in Karachi: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Aftab, W., Hafsa, F. N. U., Jillani, S. A. Q., Imtiaz, S., Zahoor, M. A., Fatima, S., Khalid, M., & Segawa, F. (2026) · Brain and Behavior · doi:10.1002/brb3.71430
Orvostanhallgatók megküzdési stratégiáinak összefüggései a mentális teherként és erőforrásként azonosítható pszichológiai változókkal
Kiss, H., & Piko, B. F. (2026) · Mentálhigiéné és Pszichoszomatika · doi:10.1556/0406.2025.00105
Estrés, ansiedad y conducta alimentaria en estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud
García, F. L. D. S. (2026) · Revista Multidisciplinaria Voces de América y el Caribe · doi:10.69821/remuvac.v3i1.325
Deciphering the anxiolytic mechanism of glycowithenolides from Withania somnifera: insights from network pharmacology, molecular docking, and simulation studies
Rahaman, M., & Ghosh, S. (2026) · In Silico Pharmacology · doi:10.1007/s40203-026-00640-5
“Anxiety disorders, which are biopsychosocial problems, are indeed linked to both situation-specific and generic reactions to perceived dangers (Tian-Ci Quek et al. 2019).”
Common Mental Disorders among Medical Students: Prevalence, Predictors and Association with Financial and Health System Burden of Pakistan—A Multicenter StudyPreprint
Rashid, F., Noor, I., Najeeb, W., Siddiqui, H. R., & Ali, H. M. (2026) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-9666691/v1
Explainable Machine Learning Models as Screening tool for Anxiety and Depression in Medical Students Based on Non-Stigmatizing Lifestyle and Sociodemographic Factors- Pakistan. A Validation StudyPreprint
Rashid, F., Waqas, A., Siddiqui, R., Ahmed, T., Rahman, A., & Malik, A. (2026) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-9558928/v1
Development and psychometric validation of the 8-item Student Quality of Life Index (IQoL) using item response theory (IRT): a cross-sectional study among Brazilian higher education students
Gobbo, M., de Resende, M. S., Santos, I. M., de Moura, E. C., & Pedro, R. D. A. (2026) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106371
Associations Between Concentrations of Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12, and Folate and the Well-Being of Medical Students
Cieślikiewicz, B., Bieńkowska, A., Maksymowicz, S., Dorf, J., Młynarska, K., Wiącek, P., Kułakowska-Foks, M., Chomiczewska, J., Szczubełek, G., Świerszcz, R., et al. (2026) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu18101559
“Moreover, the general well-being of medical students in our study (also observed in other studies of Polish medical students) is influenced by numerous stress-related factors associated with academic pressure, insufficient sleep, limited physical activity, and the use of stimulants [1,68–70].”
Digital Technology Use, Mental Health, and Academic Performance Among University Students: The Moderating Role of Age and Sex
Elvira-Zorzo, M. N., Gandarillas, M. A., & Pica-Miranda, G. A. (2026) · Youth · doi:10.3390/youth6020062
“Cognitive and emotional challenges, combined with psychosocial stressors, tend to intensify in the absence of early, comprehensive interventions (January et al., 2018; Tian-Ci Quek et al., 2019; Mirza et al., 2021).”
Lifestyle, psychological and demographic predictors of anxiety: insights from a large-scale survey and machine learning analysis
Nishwa, D. E., Abbas, Z., & Lee, S. W. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1727014
Mental Health in DPT Education: A Systematic Review of Explored Factors, Their Prevalence, and Interventions
Babl, R. M., & Williams, R. E. (2026) · Journal of Physical Therapy Education · doi:10.1097/jte.0000000000000488
Accuracy of Descriptive and Illustrative Capacity of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Aesthetic Surgery: A Study of Accelerated Facial Aging in Depressed Medical Residents
Sultan, M. T., Sanan, M., Liu, W., & Li, G. (2026) · Aesthetic Plastic Surgery · doi:10.1007/s00266-026-05895-z
“One group of such people who are affected by poor mental health and depression all over the world are medical students and medical residents [11].”

Authors: Tian-Ci Quek, T., Wai-San Tam, W., X. Tran, B., Zhang, M., Zhang, Z., Su-Hui Ho, C., & Chun-Man Ho, R.
Affiliations: Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119007, Singapore
Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119007, Singapore
Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Huaibei Normal University (CN)
Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119007, Singapore
Corresponding author: Zhang, Zhisong
ORCID: Tian-Ci Quek, Travis
Wai-San Tam, Wilson
Zhang, Min
Zhang, Zhisong
Su-Hui Ho, Cyrus
Chun-Man Ho, Roger
Venue: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher: MDPI AG
Published: 2019-07-31
Volume: 16
Issue: 15
Pages: 2735
ISSN: 1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152735
PMC: PMC6696211
OpenAlex: W2965255255
Cited by: 990
References: 136
Citations by year: 2026: 141 · 2025: 130 · 2024: 186 · 2023: 165 · 2022: 174 · 2021: 124 · 2020: 66 · 2019: 3
FWCI: 16.82
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
dx.doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Rare & Special e-Zone (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
National University of Singapore (submittedVersion, cc-by)
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders: This study received funding from the National Social Science Fund (General Project of Education) (BBA170063)
Topics: Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
Keywords: anxiety, medical students, prevalence, risk factors, mental health, medical education, help-seeking, stigma, gender differences, year of study
MeSH terms: Anxiety, Humans, Risk Factors, Students, Medical, Global Health, Models, Statistical, Prevalence, Odds Ratio

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

The Global Prevalence of Anxiety Among Medical Students: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Figures

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Self-check

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks