Self-rated health and self-confidence among Iranian medical students, a survey in Tehran University of medical sciences

ABSTRACT

Self-confidence is an attribute of the individual that enables one to have a positive or realistic view of themselves or the situations in which they exist. Investigations have shown that people with high self-confidence may have better general health. Based on our knowledge, no study has been conducted on the relationship between self-confidence and students’ health status so far in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between Self-rated health and self-confidence among students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional study was performed on 600 students of different faculties at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. To measure self-confidence, the validated personal evaluation inventory (PEI) questionnaire and demographic characteristics questionnaire, suitable for Iranian medical students was used. To measure students’ Self-rated health as a dependent variable of the study, a standard question was used. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariable logistic regression. Of the 600 students who participated in the study, 322 (53.67%) were female and 278 (46.33%) were male. The overall mean score of students’ self-confidence was 66.71% (standard deviation = 10.42). In terms of Self-rated health, most participants reported good status (69.54% in females and 65.51% in males). The results showed the probability of having good health was associated with the rising of mean scores of self-confidence. It is recommended to educational policymakers to consider general and mental health and personal relationships as factors related to self-confidence and perform the necessary interventions needed to increase the level of self-confidence among students.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-confidence
• Self-rated health
• medical student
• university
• Iran

Acknowledgments

This cross-sectional study was supported by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will not be shared. Because the university from which the information is collected is not consented to provide the information.

Geolocation information

This study was conducted in Tehran province (capital of Iran) in Asia region.