The Heavy Burden: Exploring Connections Between Mental Health, Burnout, and Academic Factors Among Medical Students at an Iranian University (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Medical students face high levels of burnout and mental health issues during training. Understanding associated factors can inform supportive interventions. OBJECTIVE Examine burnout, psychological well-being, and related demographics among Iranian medical students. METHODS Cross-sectional survey of 131 medical students at an Iranian university. Instruments included the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) plus a psychological symptom checklist (SCL-90). Descriptive, multivariate regression and tests for group differences analyzed data. RESULTS Mean MBI-SS subscale scores showed moderate emotional exhaustion (15.00±7.08) and academic efficacy (14.98±6.29) but lower cynicism (10.85±5.89). The most commonly reported mental health issues were depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Worse psychological wellbeing associated with higher overall burnout, but no gender differences found. Upper academic level linked to changes in all MBI domains. CONCLUSIONS Despite health education, sampled students reported considerable burnout and mental health distress which associated strongly. This risks student persistence and post-graduation practice plans. Supporting wellbeing in training is critical for positive student and physician outcomes.