Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2018.305

DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, TEMPERAMENT/CHARACTER, AND ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER TRAITS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS SEEKING COUNSELIN

Chiara Rapinesi ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Georgios D. Kotzalidis ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Antonio Del Casale ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, P. Alberto Mileno Onlus Foundation, San Francesco In
Mariangela Ferrone ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Alessandro Vento ; Faculty of Psychology, “Guglielmo Marconi” University, Rome; Mental Health Department ASL RM 2 and Addictions’ Observatory (ODDPSS), Rome, Italy
Gemma Callovini ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, P. Alberto Mileno Onlus Foundation, San Francesco In
Martina Curto ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, P. Alberto Mileno Onlus Foundation, San Francesco In
Stefano Ferracuti ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, P. Alberto Mileno Onlus Foundation, San Francesco In
Gabriele Sani ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, P. Alberto Mileno Onlus Foundation, San Francesco In
Maurizio Pompili ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, P. Alberto Mileno Onlus Foundation, San Francesco In
Giuseppe Familiari ; Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Locomotor Apparatus Sciences; Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
Paolo Girardi ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, P. Alberto Mileno Onlus Foundation, San Francesco In
Gloria Angeletti ; NESMOS (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, Sapienza University, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, P. Alberto Mileno Onlus Foundation, San Francesco In

Abstract

Background: To investigate depressive symptoms, temperament, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder traits in medical students, comparing those who sought psychological counseling with those who did not seek it.
Subjects and methods: We assessed 49 students seeking counseling (mean age=24.4 years, SD=4.07) and 49 noncounseling controls (mean age=21.7 years, SD=2.6). Participants were assessed for depressive symptoms with the Beck Depression Inventory- II, for temperament/character dimensions using the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised, and for attention deficit/hyperactivity
symptoms using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale.
Results: Counseling-seeking students were more likely to have attention deficit/hyperactivity symptoms, scored higher on the Beck Depression Inventory-II and on the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised Harm avoidance, and lower on the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised Self-Directedness, compared to controls.
Conclusions: Medical students applying for counseling should be carefully assessed for depressive symptoms, attention deficit/hyperactivity symptoms, and temperament characteristics; depressive and attention deficit/hyperactivity symptoms could be the focus of counseling interventions.

Keywords

medical students; counseling; mental health; attention deficit/hyperactivity; temperament; character; depression

Hrčak ID:

206431

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/206431

Publication date:

1.10.2018.

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