Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42403580›Full record

ArticleBMJ public health2026

Mental health illnesses and university life satisfaction among medical students in post-conflict Syria: a cross-sectional study.

Monzer Keblawy, Alaa Alsarhan, Ali Taghi, Mais Alreem Mohaisen, Mohammad Ibrahim Atia, Ahmad Alhamid, Collaborators Group

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Monzer KeblawyInternal Medicine, Aleppo University Hospital, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9075-2446
Alaa AlsarhanFaculty of Medicine, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2773-0572
Ali TaghiFaculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6156-7041
Mais Alreem MohaisenAl-Sham Private University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7228-3492
Mohammad Ibrahim AtiaAl-Sham Private University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3795-403X
Ahmad AlhamidAl Hawash Private University, Hawash, Syrian Arab Republic.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6478-314X
Collaborators GroupUniversity of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Medical students are a population highly vulnerable to psychological distress due to their demanding academic environment. In Syria, the prolonged conflict has further exacerbated educational and psychological challenges. This study evaluates University Life Satisfaction (ULS) among Syrian medical students and its association with depression, anxiety and stress. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and May 2025 across public and private Syrian universities. A total of 700 medical, dental and pharmacy students completed an online questionnaire assessing demographic variables, ULS (The Campus Satisfaction Scale) and psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21). Results: Moderate overall ULS was reported (mean=2.95±0.65). Severe-to-extremely severe levels of depression (35.0%), anxiety (29.4%) and stress (29.8%) were observed. ULS was significantly lower among females, students in later academic years and those with poor prior psychological diagnoses. Results revealed negative correlational relationships between ULS and depression (r=-0.333), anxiety (r=-0.171) and stress (r=-0.240) (p<0.001). Regression analysis indicated that grade point average, financial status and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with ULS. Conclusion: Syrian medical students reported concerning levels of psychological distress, particularly those with lower ULS. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions and systemic improvements in Syrian educational environments. Enhancing student engagement, improving campus facilities and integrating psychological support services help reduce distress and improve ULS among medical students. These results reflect correlational relationships only and do not establish causality.

Indexed as

Cross-Sectional StudiesEducation, MedicalEnvironmental MedicineMental HealthPersonal Satisfaction

Identifiers

PMID42403580
PMCPMC13331028

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.