Evaluation of the Frequency of Distraction and Its Relationship with Depression, Anxiety, Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Dissociation Disorder among the Students of the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Background:  Distraction is a common symptom among students, indicating hidden psychological disorders. This study aimed to determine the frequency and correlation of symptoms of psychological disorders with distraction.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 371 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences students. Data collection tools included a demographic information checklist, adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder self-report scale (ASRS-v1.1), Beck's depression inventory (BDI-II), Beck's anxiety inventory (BAI), and dissociative experiences scale (DES II) questionnaires. Distraction was evaluated based on self-report.
Findings: More than half of the participants (52.6%) were women, and the mean age of the participants was 24.18 years. The prevalence of distraction, adult ADHD symptoms, and anxiety symptoms in the participants was 58.5%, 10.2%, and 56.1%, respectively. The prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe anxiety was 36.7%, 11.6%, and 56.3%, respectively, and the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe depression was 34%, 14.8%, and 7.5%, respectively. The prevalence of distraction symptoms was higher in men (67%) than women (50%) (P = 0.001). The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was higher in women (56% and 63%, respectively) than in men (55% and 48%, respectively) (P = 0.005 and P = 0.002, respectively). There was a significant relationship between distraction and adult ADHD (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), and depression (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The prevalence of distraction among students was notable and was related to the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD disorders in adults. Due to the low frequency of dissociative symptoms (4 people), more studies are needed to investigate the relationship between distraction and dissociative disorders.

Highlights

Mahboubeh Eslamzadeh: PubMed, Google Scholar 

Farzad Akbarzadeh: PubMed, Google Scholar 

Zahra Abbasi: PubMed, Google Scholar 

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 43, Issue 801
1st Week, April
March and April 2025
Pages 10-17

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 11 December 2024

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