The Avicenna Medical Journal
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025): The Avicenna Medical Journal

Can Spirituality Protect Medical Students from Psychological Distress? Evidence from a Descriptive-Analytical Study

Tjakradidjaja, Francisca A. (Unknown)
Dwiyanti, Sophie (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: Heightened psychological distress is commonly reported among medical students due to academic pressure, multiple assessments, disrupted sleep, and a competitive learning environment. This study investigates the role of spirituality as a potential protective factor for mental health among first-year medical students. Methods: A descriptive-analytical design was employed, involving 115 students who completed a demographic questionnaire, the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSE), and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Results: A total of 92 valid responses were obtained, resulting in an 80% response rate. Respondents were predominantly female (n = 61, 66.3%), with most aged 18 years (n = 59, 64.1%). Regarding Qur’anic memorization, 43.5% had memorized only a few short chapters, 40.2% had memorized 1-5 juz, and 4.3% had memorized 26-30 juz. Mental health screening indicated that 46.7% had a positive mental state, while 53.3% were categorized as having a negative mental state. Notably, 80.4% of students (n = 74) reported limited levels of spirituality. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between spirituality and mental health (r = 0.99; p = 0.00). Conclusion: These findings suggest that higher spiritual engagement may buffer psychological distress and that integrating spiritual approaches into medical education could help mitigate psychological distress in early training stages.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

amedj

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

The Avicenna Medical Journal, the official journal of Faculty of Medicine Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, presents multidisciplinary scientific papers which describe innovative research spanning the entire spectrum of medical aspects both basic science and clinical aspects. It ...