The Impact of Assessments on Students’ Mental Well-being in Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE: A Cross-sectional Survey Study

Medical students often experience heightened academic stress, which adversely impacts their mental well-being. This study examines the effect of assessments on the mental well-being of medical students at Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE. A cross-sectional survey was conducted over eight months with 258 participants from years 2 and 3 of the MBBS and BDS programs. A self-administered, validated questionnaire assessed domains such as anxiety, depression, disordered eating, burnout, and sleep disturbances. The findings revealed that 70% of the students experienced poor mental well-being, with significant associations between exam-related stress and factors such as forgetfulness, procrastination, appetite disturbances, and insufficient sleep. Female students, third-year students, and those in the BDS program reported worse mental health outcomes. Furthermore, high levels of stress during final exams were reported by 90.2% of the participants, significantly correlating with poorer mental well-being. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions, including peer support programs, counseling services, and adaptive academic policies, to mitigate the detrimental effects of assessments on student mental health. These findings emphasize the urgency of institutional reforms to foster a healthier academic environment for medical students.