Influence of family and mental health affecting motivation of 1st year dental students to continue their study at Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University

Abstract

Background : Choosing to study at the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University results from family influences that affect the dentist student’s mental health.

Objectives : The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of family and mental health that affects 1^st year dental students to continue their study at the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University.

Methods : The tools and methods used for collecting data comprise, namely: 1. general information of to subjects; 2. evaluation of mental health; 3. evaluation of family influence on the subjects; and 4. evaluation of stress. A self-assessment questionnaire was used in the study. Additionally, univariate analysis was used including t-test, Chi-square, and regression analysis.

Results : Family (including family hometown, parents force, parents/family member’s occupation, parent status, and household income) was not significantly affecting 1st year dental students to continue their studies at the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University. Additionally, the mental health of majority of the subjects, accounted for 90.8% of total subjects were below the average range. Furthermore, this study also found that the subjects were concerned about the expenses including the fear of insufficient income for spending. Besides, the subjects were also worried about physical health (body pain, backache, headache for example), and emotional status (worry, madness, for instances).

Conclusion : Family (including family hometown, parents force, parents/family member’s occupation, parent status, and household income) was not significantly affecting 1^st year dental students to continue their study at the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University. Additionally, mental health of majority the subjects, accounted for 90.8% of total number of students were below the average range. Furthermore, this study also found that the subjects were concerned about the expenses plus afraid of insufficient income for their spending. Besides, the subjects were also worried about their physical health (body pain, backache, headache for example), and emotional status (worry, madness, for instances).