Prevalence of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression and the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Life Coaching Intervention among 4th-Year Medical Students: A Pilot Quasi- Experimental Study
Aashi Mughal, Anwar Bibi, Asifa Afzal, Izya Taj, Raima Siddiqui, Mohsin Raza
Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College June 30, 2026 DOI: 10.37939/jrmc.v30i2.3185 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAmong 100 fourth-year medical students screened, 20% had mild-to-moderate stress, 18% had anxiety, and 17% had depression symptoms. A 21-day mindfulness-based life coaching program (weekly 1-hour sessions, daily 20-minute practice) was tested in 15 students with mild-to-moderate distress. After the program, stress scores decreased by 7.4 points, anxiety by 6.0 points, and depression by 5.2 points, all statistically significant. The program was feasible and culturally acceptable, suggesting it may help reduce distress in medical students.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional screening followed by single-arm pre-post intervention Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | 4th-year MBBS students |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based life coaching |
| Duration | 21-day program |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Depression economics Intervention counseling Health coaching Stress management |
| Key finding | A 21-day mindfulness-based life coaching program was associated with significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression among medical students with mild-to-moderate distress. |
Abstract
Objective: Medical students experience high psychological demands that predispose them to stress, anxiety, and depression. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression in 4th-year MBBS students and measure the efficacy of a short-term mindfulness-based life coaching (MBLC) intervention. Methods: This study consisted of a cross-sectional screening followed by a single-arm pre–post intervention. The study was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 screened 100 students using the DASS-42. Phase 2 enrolled 20 students with mild-to-moderate distress; 15 participants completed a 21-day MBLC program (weekly 1-hour sessions; daily 20-minute practice). Pre- and post-intervention DASS-42 scores were compared using paired t-tests, and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were computed. Results: Among 100 students screened, 20% had mild-to-moderate stress, 18% had anxiety, and 17% had depression symptoms. Among the participants who completed the study (n = 15), stress scores decreased by 7.4 points (95% CI: 4.8–10.0, P<0.001). Anxiety decreased by 6.0 points (95% CI: 3.5–8.5; P <0.001). Depression decreased by 5.2 (95% CI: 2.7–7.7; P <0.001). Conclusion: The 21-day MBLC program was feasible, culturally acceptable, and associated with reduced distress. Keywords: Stress, Psychological, Anxiety, Depression, Students, Medical, Mindfulness, Stress Management