Research Mentor Name

Jennifer Mendez

Research Mentor Email Address

ag3928@wayne.edu

Institution / Department

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Document Type

Research Abstract

Research Type

healthcommunityimpact

Level of Research

no

Abstract

Background and Relevance

Medical school students represent a vulnerable population frequently experiencing mental health disorders such as chronic stress and anxiety (Dederichs et al., 2021). The unstable political climate in the Middle East may contribute to worsening mental health among the population of Arab American medical students. Helplessness regarding unfolding political events and perceptions from peers often deter students from accessing already limited mental health resources (Mental Health America, 2021).

Design and Methods

An anonymous survey distributed to Arab American medical students in Michigan evaluated the impact of recent events in the Middle East on their well-being. The Future Anxiety Scale was adapted to collect data on experiences related to the environment of war and conflict (Zaleski, 1996). In addition, data was collected on demographics, presence of family abroad, and year in medical school.

Results of Data Collection and Analysis

Findings are anticipated to align with prior studies linking future anxiety to indirect war exposure, such as news or family reports (Alotaibi, 2021).

Limitations

Self-reporting bias and fluctuating mental health due to crisis instability are potential limitations. Lack of incentive may reduce participation.

Conclusions and Significance

Those indirectly impacted by conflict have been found to experience PTSD, trauma, and anxiety, especially when family/friends are involved (Alghazo and Premuda-Conti, 2024). Thus, it is essential to address the mental health of those affected by war in their home countries. Incorporating culturally competent counseling, crisis-intervention training, and trauma-informed care in the curriculum will support students psychologically and create a better learning environment.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Comments

Works Cited

Alghazo, R., & Premuda-Conti, P. (2024). Forgotten Victims of War: A Rapid Review of Counseling Needs an d a Proposed Intervention Model for Civilian Survivors. Psychiatry International, 5(4), 601–615. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint5040044

Alotaibi, N. M. (2021). Future anxiety among young people affected by war and armed Conflict: Indicators for social Work practice. Frontiers in Sociology, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.729811

Dederichs, M., Weber, J., Pischke, C. R., Angerer, P., & Apolinário-Hagen, J. (2021). Exploring medical stude nts’ views on digital mental health interventions: A qualitative study. Internet Interventions, 25, 100398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2021.100398

Mental Health America. (2021). MHA College Report 2021. https://www.mhanational.org/sites/default/files/MHA%20College%20Report%202021.pdf

Zaleski, Z. (1996). Future anxiety: Concept, measurement, and preliminary research. Personality and Indiv idual Differences, 21(2), 165-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(96)00070-0

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