dr narges shams alizadeh

Medical students experience a high level of stress, with potential adverse consequences on their academic performance. Stressors cannot be modified in numerous cases but student's abilities to cope with stressors should be upgraded. In this study, we investigated the effect of stress management training (As part of the Life Skills Curriculum in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences) on perceived stress, coping style in medical college students and also persistence of the effect of training. This was a quasi-experimental study (before and after). The sample size was 35 medical students and included all of the second semester medical students. Sampling method was census. Stress management training included four two-hour sessions for four consecutive weeks. Assessment was carried out by use of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS-21) in four steps (before, immediately, 3 and 6 months after classes). Collected data were entered into SPSS17 software and analyzed by paired t-tests., ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. Before training, the mean value for perceived stress among students was 33.42 which decreased to 32.70, 31.50 and 29.22, after one, three and six months after training, respectively. We found significant differences in perceived stress only between the stages conducted before training and six months after training. (P-Value: 0.012). The dominant style of copping with stress in all periods was that of problem oriented but changes in a variety of styles in different periods were not significant. In this study, reduced perceived stress can be related to the training, but the role of confounding factors should be kept in mind. Lack of change in the students´ coping style after training can be attributed to short-term training and defective contents of the training. It seems that other factors such as students’ level of education and compulsory training can interfere with the results of this study. Therefore, further studies are required to carry out alterations in the life skill curriculum in Kurdistan University of medical sciences.

According to Beck''s cognitive model، the experiences of the people result in development of assumptions or schemas about the self and the world. These assumptions contribute to the organization of perception and control and appraisal of behavior. Some of these assumptions are rigid and resistant to change and therefore are dysfunctional. The purpose of this study was to determine the schemas of individuals attempting suicide by self-poisoning according to Beck''s cognitive model and determine their relationship to suicide. This was a case–control study. Our case group (n=204) included the patients admitted to Tohid Hospital due to suicide attempt. Control group consisted of healthy individuals (n=204) who had been matched with case groups. The participants completed Young Schema Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory. Collected data were analyzed by means of logistic regression model and correlation test. Results showed that enmeshment/undeveloped self-unrelenting standards/ hypercritical schemas can be risk factors for suicide attempts. Depression had correlation with emotional deprivation، abandonment/instability، social isolation/alienation، and self-sacrifice schemas. In non-depressed participants، undeveloped self and emotional deprivation schemas were associated with suicide attempt. In general، undeveloped self-schema might contribute to suicidal behavior independently. Emotional deprivation both directly and indirectly (by inducing depression) could precipitate suicidal behavior.

Suicide is the third most common cause of death between 15 and 44 years of age. Medical students are one of the high risk groups. Suicidal ideation is regarded as a predictive factor for suicide attempt. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of suicidal thoughts and its related factors among the students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. In this descriptive - analytical study، 452 students with different fields of study in medical sciences were selected randomly. Using Beck Inventory (BSSI) the rate of suicidal thoughts was determined. Data were entered into SPSS V. 16 software and analyzed by x^2 and logistic regression. p <0. 05 was considered significant. In this study 34. 3 percent of the students were male and 65. 7 percent were female، with a mean age of 21. 16 ± 2. 41 years. 32. 7 percent of all students and 42. 7percent of medical students had mild to severe suicidal thoughts. A significant relationship was observed among academic fields، residential area، performance of religious obligations، history of suicide attempts and current suicidal thoughts (p<0. 01). This study indicated a high prevalence rate of suicidal thoughts among the university students which calls for more attention by the university officials in order to take necessary measures for prevention of suicidal attempts among the students.

Suicide is one of the most important community health problems which is related to many different factors in different communities. Methods and Materials: This was a case-control study and patients with suicide attempt admitted in Sanandaj hospitals were regarded as the case group. Control group was selected and matched for age. Data were introduced into SSPS 12.0 software and were analyzed by means of x2 test.

Suicide attempt was more frequent in females (71.1%), in those with age of 20-24 years (31.1%) and in those with high school education (56.1%). There was a significant relationship between number of family members and life events with suicide attempt (P=0.01, P<0.05 respectively). No significant relationship was found between suicide attempt and marital status. The most common ways for suicide attempt were by using drugs and poisons. 6.7% of patients attempted suicide by self-burning. Self-burning was more frequent in married women and had 100% mortality.

High frequency of suicide attempts in young women calls for attention to mental health in this group. Preventing suicide attempts by self-burning, particularly in married women indicates the importance of public education as well as reassessing marital condition, and family life training and education about handling interpersonal problems within families.