Anxiety and Depression Levels among Resident Pediatricians

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the levels of anxiety and depression among professionals enrolled in a Pediatric Residency Program of an educational institution in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional and descriptive study with all, registered residents at a pediatric residency program. The data were collected between the months of November 2013 and February 2014, using three instruments: an instrument drawn up by the authors, containing demographic data; the Beck anxiety Scale or Beck anxiety inventory and the Beck Depression scale or Beck Depression inventory. Depression anxiety levels were evaluated by a psychologist, according to data produced by the instruments and categorized in to four levels: absence of depression/anxiety, mild depression/anxiety, moderate depression/anxiety and severe depression/anxiety. Results: The study was based on a sample of 36 medical residents. There was a predominance of females (91.4%), with a median age of 28 years (minimum: 25; maximum: 34), single (86.11%), with a household income of 10 minimum monthly wages or more (47.1%), a working day of 12 hours or more (55.6%), not regularly engaged in physical activity (55.5%) and leisure (44.2%), with another job (71.4%) satisfied with their job (88.9%) and having thought about quitting the program (52.8%). Anxiety was present in 50.0% and depression in 44.4%. Statistical associations were found between anxiety and the age group (p