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Association Between Depressive Symptoms and Self-Reported Ongoing Medication Use Among Pharmacy Students: A
Reynaldo Arellano-Cervantes1, Raymundo Escutia-Gutiérrez2, Nancy Evelyn Navarro-Ruiz3
1Departamento de Ciencias del Movimiento Humano, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud (CUCS), Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Pharmacy students with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms often use more medications. Insufficient sleep and academic stress were linked to depression, while relationships and psychological support offered protection.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Depression is a significant mood disorder impacting quality of life and academic performance.
- Pharmacy students report a high prevalence of depressive symptoms.
- Medication use is increasing among young adults, potentially linked to well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between depressive symptoms and medication use in pharmacy students.
- To identify factors associated with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study surveyed 365 pharmacy students using a personalized questionnaire.
- The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) assessed depressive symptoms.
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square, t-tests, and logistic/linear regression.
Main Results:
- Nearly half (47.3%) of students exhibited moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms.
- Insufficient sleep, academic stress, and polypharmacy were associated with depressive symptoms.
- Being in a relationship and long-term psychological support were protective factors.
Conclusions:
- A modest association exists between medication use and depressive symptoms in pharmacy students.
- Medication use patterns may serve as a potential marker for depression risk.
- Further longitudinal research is needed to clarify the relationship and its implications for early identification.
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