Assessing the mental health of working women at the Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

4 Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

5 Center for Healthcare Data Modeling, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

6 Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Applied Biomedical Research Center, Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2025.89048.3256

Abstract

Introduction: The mental well-being of working women in stressful work environments, such as medical schools, is of great importance because of their work importance and major responsibilities. Work pressures and work-life imbalance could lead to psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. This study aimed to assess the mental health of working women at the Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
 
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 145 female employees in 2024. General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was used to assess the mental health. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.
 
Results: Fifty-one percent of participants scored above the cutoff point on the GHQ-28, indicating probable psychological problems. Anxiety and insomnia were the most prevalent disorders in individuals suspected of having psychological problems. None of the demographic variables showed significant associations with mental health (P> 0.05). However, the analysis of the relationship between demographic variables and subscales showed that education level was associated with somatic symptoms, anxiety, and insomnia. Additionally, work experience level and older age were associated with increased anxiety and insomnia (P< 0.05).
 
Conclusion: Psychological disorders are prevalent among working women at the faculty of medicine; work and social pressures had effects independent of personal characteristics. Implementing support programs (such as counseling services, stress management workshops, and flexible work arrangements) are recommended to improve the mental health of participants.

Keywords

References

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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 27, Issue 5
September and October 2025
Pages 343-348

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