Prevalence and factors associated with academic burnout risk among nursing and midwifery students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

The prevalence of mental health issues among nursing students: An umbrella review synthesis of meta-analytic evidence

BACKGROUND

The ongoing global student mental health crisis indicates the urgent need for updated research specifically targeting nursing students. Considering their anticipated transition into healthcare professions, their mental well-being is critical, not only for their academic performance but also for the quality of care they will deliver in their professional roles.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of mental health issues among nursing students by synthesizing data from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

DESIGN

An umbrella review of published prevalence meta-analyses.

REVIEW METHODS

Publication records were retrieved from four databases-PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus-up to September 2024. The methodological quality of each meta-analysis was assessed using the A Measurement Tool for the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2). Assessment followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline checklist. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis, and the I2 index was employed to assess between-study heterogeneity. Additionally, the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews tool was used to assess review quality, including calculation of overlap between primary studies and adherence to GRADE criteria.

RESULTS

Twenty-five meta-analyses, comprising 375 primary studies and a total of 171,828 nursing students, were included, revealing an overall prevalence of mental health issues at 27 % (95 % CI: 25 % - 30 %). Sleep disturbances were the most prevalent at 50 % (95 % CI: 28 % - 72 %), followed by fear at 41 % (95 % CI: 7 % - 75 %), burnout at 32 % (95 % CI: 25 % - 38 %), and depression at 29 % (95 % CI: 21 % - 38 %). Nomophobia/smartphone addiction had a prevalence of 30 % (95 % CI: 12 % - 49 %), anxiety 29 % (95 % CI: 17 % - 40 %), and stress 27 % (95 % CI: 17 % - 37 %). Lower prevalence rates were observed for smoking, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal ideation/attempts. Significant heterogeneity was noted, particularly in the meta-analyses for anxiety, nomophobia/smartphone addiction, and stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review identified eleven prevalent mental health issues among nursing students, with sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and burnout being the most common. Behavioral issues, such as nomophobia, are also rising concerns. These findings indicate the need for targeted interventions and further research into causal factors (e.g., geographical and cultural contexts), gender disparities (as most studies focused on female students), and resilience-building strategies.

REGISTRATION

The study protocol was uploaded to the Open Science Framework (OSF) at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EN7UX (registered on 28/10/23).

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Among nursing students, overall mental health issues are at 27 %. Key concerns include sleep disturbances, burnout, anxiety, and depression. Nomophobia prevalence also warrants further study.

Mental health in midwifery students: A French nationwide survey

BACKGROUND

Poor mental health in health students is a major public health issue, impacting personal quality of life and functioning, curriculum and care quality to patients.

PROBLEM

Few studies to date have examined mental health in midwifery students.

AIM

To evaluate the midwifery students'mental health.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional survey was performed between 02/11/2023 and 11/12/2023. Anonymous questionnaires were sent to midwife students via academic emails by all midwife faculties in France. We assessed the prevalence of current depressive symptoms, current generalised anxiety symptoms, burnout for students in internship, 12-month major depressive disorder and 12-month suicidal ideation, humiliation, sexual harassment, and sexual aggression during their curriculum with specific questions. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the main factors associated with major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation.

FINDINGS

Among midwifery students, 1920 (response rate: 51.9 %) were included. The prevalences of current depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, burnout, 12-month major depressive disorder, and 12-month suicidal ideation were 62 %, 47 %, 44 %, 13 % and 14 %, respectively. Humiliation, sexual harassment and sexual aggression were reported by 19 %, 1.8 % and 0.7 %, respectively. In multivariable analyses, having important financial difficulties and sexual violence were associated with higher rates of major depressive episodes and suicidal ideation.

DISCUSSION

>1 in 10 students suffered from 12-month depression and/or suicidal ideation, and almost half of them expressed various distressing symptoms.

CONCLUSION

These alarming results highlighted the need for interventions to improve mental health in midwifery students, including safer conditions of education and living.

Exploring the Relationship Between Burnout, Resilience, and Dropout Intention Among Nursing Students During Clinical Training in Saudi Arabia

Background

The issue of burnout syndrome among health discipline students is gaining heightened attention due to its serious effects, which causes them to have the intention to quit. Despite this, limited studies are available on the extent of burnout and its association with resilience and intention to drop out among clinical-level nursing students.

Objective

To explore the relationship between burnout, resilience, and intention to quit among nursing students.

Methods

An online questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional study, targeting nursing students at the clinical level through a nonprobability sample. The participants were required to provide their sociodemographic, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and correlation tests.

Results

The study included a group of 564 nursing students and interns, the majority of whom were female at a percentage of 78.9%. Among this group, 65% experienced a high level of burnout, with 42% experiencing emotional exhaustion, 54% experiencing depersonalization (DP), and 77% reporting low personal achievement. A total of 48% of clinical-level students were considering quitting the nursing program. Moreover, the students reported low scores of resilience, with negative correlations observed with DP (r = -.12, p = .04) and positive correlation with low personal achievement (r = .43, p < .001).

Conclusion

Nursing students and interns faced a significant amount of burnout and showed a desire to drop out nursing program. Their level of resilience was moderately low, and it correlated with burnout subscales DP and personal accomplishment. A collaborative intervention is needed to promote resiliency and alleviate burnout symptoms during clinical training.