The Relationship between Marital Status and General Health among the Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, in 2015-2016

Abstract

Background: Considering the role of marriage in life and its effect on lifestyle and general health, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between marital status and general health among the students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 330 students from the fourth year in 9 medical sciences fields of study in years 2015-2016 were participated. Students were selected on the basis of random sampling, and their demographic information was recorded after obtaining consent for participation in the study. Economic status of individuals and their mental health status [by General health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28)] were evaluated, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software. Findings: Most of the married participants were women in this study (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between single and married subjects based on the field of study (P = 0.030). But there was no significant difference between the two groups based on socioeconomic status (P = 0.060). According to the GHQ28 questionnaire, the score of disorder in social function was significantly higher in single subjects (P = 0.006). There was also a significant difference between different fields of study based in physical symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, depression and social function disorder (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Married students of medical sciences had better social function than single students, and had similar results in other mental health-related factors. On the other hand, mental health in some fields of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing and midwifery was not appropriate, and policies should be developed to improve the mental health status of students in these fields.

Keywords

• Marriage
• Students
• Marital status
• Health