Psychological well-being in sample of Mexican dental students

Abstract

This study evaluated the level of psychological well-being and its factors associated with dental students. A sample of 249 students enrolled in the initial period (1st-3rd semester), intermediate (4th-6th), or final period (7th-9th) of professional training answered an assessment questionnaire that evaluated sociodemographic, academic, and the level of psychological well-being, empathy, and self-esteem. A cluster analysis identified two groups with different levels of psychological well-being (p < .05). Independence χ2 test showed that students with lower psychological well-being were the initial period of professional training, with lower self-esteem, and their father had high school (p < .05). A logistic regression model identified that the elementary school of the father was a risk factor for psychological well-being (OR = 3.81, IC: 1.59-9.28, p < .01), while the higher self-esteem (OR = .89, IC: .80-.99, p < .05) and the intermediate (OR = .10, IC: .03-.30, p < .01) or final (OR = .29, IC: .09-.92, p < .05) period of professional training were protective factors. Identify predictive factors to facilitate the design of intervention strategies that favors the instruction and the strengthening of psychological well-being in dental students.