Prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students and trainees in a government homeopathic hospital in West Bengal: a cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate and postgraduate students at a government homoeopathic medical college in West Bengal. A total of 149 students participated in an online survey using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Multiple linear regression, stepwise AIC selection, and random forest analysis were used to identify significant predictors among fourteen demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral variables. The findings revealed that severe to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress were present in 11.4%, 22.7%, and 6.7% of participants, respectively. Regression models explained approximately 25–31% of the variance in psychological distress scores. Family history of psychiatric illness emerged as the strongest predictor across all three outcomes. Gender, social media use, and substance abuse also contributed to specific domains of mental health. These findings highlight the substantial burden of psychological distress among homoeopathic medical students and emphasize the need for institutional mental health support and early identification of vulnerable individuals.