The Relationship between Neuroticism, Emotion Regulation, and Academic Stress with Depression Symptoms in Indonesian Medical Student

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Based on the Global Burden of Disease (2017), 264 million people in the world are depressed. In college students, the depression symptoms are decreased academic performance and health problems, leading to suicide. Conservation of Resources (COR) theory reveals that each individual has internal and external resources. Based on the COR theory, depression occurs when individuals lose resources (academic), with high neuroticism and difficulty regulating emotions, so they are unable to adapt, thereby strengthening their depressive symptoms. AIM: The purpose of this study is to examine and explain the relationship between neuroticism, academic stress, and emotional regulation simultaneously with depression symptoms in medical students. METHODS: This study used the center for epidemiology-depression scale for depression symptoms, Big Five Inventory-II neuroticism scale for the neuroticism, the difficulties in emotional regulation scale for emotion regulation, and the perception of academic stress scale for the academic stress. Furthermore, hypothesis testing was performed using multiple regression calculations. RESULTS: This study obtained a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.808, an F value of 83,800, and p<0.05. Neuroticism, emotion regulation, and academic stress effectively contributed 65.2%, while the remaining 34.8% was affected by other factors. These other factors can be in the forms of closeness in family, health, loyal friends, and hope. CONCLUSION: There was a relationship between neuroticism, emotional regulation, and academic stress with depression symptoms in medical students.