Anxiety in Medical Students: a Pilot Study on Associated Factors

Anxiety can affect student performance and well-being. This pilot study examined the relationships between anxiety and headache, sleep disturbance, and irritability in first-year medical students 2 months before the end-of-year summative assessment.

Fifty-four first-year medical students (18.8% participation, 26 male, 28 female; mean age 20.47 years) completed an anonymous online survey comprising a custom symptom questionnaire and the Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI).

Headache was prevalent, with 66% reporting worsening headache since commencing medical studies; 72% reported reduced sleep and 44% reported increased anxiety. Mean TAI score was 45.98, with 27.7% scoring in the relatively severe/severe range. Increased anxiety was significantly associated with feeling overworked (OR = 3.41, p = 0.049), sleep disturbance (OR = 4.98, p = 0.011), and irritability (OR = 7.71, p < 0.001). Trait anxiety correlated with headache frequency (R = 0.414, p = 0.002).

These findings highlight elevated anxiety and sleep disturbance during early medical training, underscoring the need for targeted well-being interventions. Medical schools should consider integrating routine mental health check-ins and accessible support pathways to facilitate earlier recognition and management of student anxiety.