Exploring the Mental Health of Japanese Graduate Trainees in Psychology:Comparison with Non-Trainees in Other Departments.

Abstract

This study investigated the mental states, such as depression and anxiety, of Japanese psychology graduate trainees (N = 57) who aspired to become psychologists, compared with non-trainees (N = 80) in other departments. The results showed that, among trainees, 25% exhibited mild depression, 26% exhibited moderate depression, 9% exhibited moderately severe depression, and 5% exhibited severe depression. Among non-trainees, the corresponding figures were 31%, 10%, 6%, and 4%, respectively. Welch's t-test revealed that the trainees showed significantly higher anxiety and higher scores on the "work or study" subscale of the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDISS) compared with the non-trainees. A two-way ANOVA indicated that first-year trainees had a significantly higher SDISS total score than second-year trainees. The survey was conducted 2-4 months after the commencement of first-year clinical training, during which first-year trainees tend to face many new challenges. This might be the reason for their higher SDISS than the second-year trainees. These findings emphasize the importance of prioritizing the mental well-being of Japanese graduate students pursuing careers in psychology, given their high levels of anxiety. J. Med. Invest. 71 : 356-359, August, 2024.