The Impact of Online Learning and Health Behavior on Mental Health among Thai Dental Students during the COVID-19 Era

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the impact of online learning on the mental health and health behaviors of Thai dental students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among Thai dental students from first to sixth year who had been engaged in online learning during the COVID-19 period. A total of 440 students participated. Data were collected from January to March 2023 using an online questionnaire comprising 36 items addressing demographic information, online learning experiences, and health behaviors, including exercise and sleep. Psychological health was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, Pearson’s correlation, and simple linear regression. Results: The study found high rates of mental health issues among the participants, with 58.2% experiencing depression, 57.3% experiencing anxiety, and 41.1% reporting stress. Personal factors influencing mental health included university type and household situation. Key factors associated with depression were the number of hours spent on assignments and the quality of the online learning environment (β = 1.096, 1.193). For anxiety, factors such as frequency of exercise, sleep quality, time spent on assignments, and familiarity with assignment submission platforms were significant (β = −0.773, −0.666, 0.801, 1.002). Stress was significantly correlated with the frequency of exercise, sleep quality, and assignment workload (β = −1.072, −0.497, 1.210). Conclusions: The findings highlight a significant association between online learning-related factors, such as the number of hours spent on assignments, and the mental health outcomes of dental students. Health behaviors, particularly exercise and sleep quality, were also linked to mental health status. These results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing assignment-related stress, improving sleep hygiene, and promoting physical activity may be crucial in mitigating mental health problems among dental students. Clinically, addressing these factors could enhance both psychological well-being and academic performance, ultimately contributing to more effective learning environments for dental professionals.