Association between childhood trauma and anxiety among first-year MBBS students at MGM Medical College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India: a cross-sectional study
Shraddha Jadhav, Mangesh KadamAbstract
Background:
Childhood trauma is a well-known risk factor for developing anxiety disorders during adolescence and early adulthood, with lasting effects on emotional regulation and stress response systems. First-year MBBS students are a particularly vulnerable group due to increased academic pressure and psychosocial changes. However, there is limited evidence from Indian medical education settings examining the connection between childhood trauma and anxiety.
Aim:
To evaluate the relationship between childhood trauma and anxiety among first-year MBBS students at MGM Medical College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 90 first-year MBBS students; 88 were included in the final analysis. Childhood trauma was evaluated using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, and anxiety severity was assessed with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Statistical analysis was done using the chi-square test, and
Results:
Of the 88 participants, 43 (48.9%) reported experiencing at least one type of childhood trauma. Students with a history of childhood trauma exhibited significantly higher levels of anxiety severity compared to those without such experiences (
Conclusion:
A significant link was found between childhood trauma and higher anxiety severity among first-year MBBS students. These results emphasize the importance of early detection and the provision of trauma-informed mental health support services in medical education institutions.