Determinants of empathy, depression and loneliness in Serbian medical students.

Abstract

Introduction: Medical students appear to be at risk for psychological problems. Therefore, we examined factors influencing depression and loneliness in this specific group, focusing on socio-demographic, psychological, somatic variables, and empathy as a protective factor.

Methods: We included 507 medical students at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade, Serbia. Each participant completed a written questionnaire comprising a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ), the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).

Results: The sample was predominantly female (75.1%) with a mean age of 22.11 (SD 1.6). Higher empathy scores were observed among female students, younger participants, those with lower academic performance, and students who attended psychotherapy. Higher loneliness and depression were reported by students with psychiatric problems, those using psychiatric medication, and those with unstable socio-economic status. Loneliness was positively associated with depression and negatively associated with empathy in our regression model.

Conclusions: Significant differences in psychological variables exist among medical students in relation to the analyzed socio-demographic, health, and behavioral characteristics, highlighting the need for tailored interventions aimed at fostering social connection and empathy.