Mental health and financial concerns in medical students: insights from a cross-sectional study in Germany

Numerous students in Germany are affected by mental health disorders. International studies indicate that financial concerns represent a significant risk factor for the onset of mental health issues among students. Medical students may be particularly vulnerable due to the prolonged and often demanding nature of their studies. However, there is currently no data on this topic in Germany. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of financial concerns among medical students and whether there is an association with their mental health. From April to May 2024, an anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted among all medical students at a private university in Germany using an online questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. A total of 663 medical students participated in the study (response rate: 63.4%), of whom 564 participants (54.0%) were included in the analysis. 44.7% of students reported below-average mental health, and an additional 22.7% were severely impaired mental health. 55.7% reported financial concerns, and 23.6% had debts. Students with financial concerns were approximately three times more likely to be mentally impaired (32.8%) compared to students without financial concerns (10.1%). Compared to men, women had almost four times higher odds of experiencing mental impairment. Additionally, students with a moderate to very poor general physical health status had more than three times higher odds of having below-average mental health (aOR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.60–6.85). Financial concerns also increased the likelihood of having below-average (aOR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.33–3.14) or impaired mental health (aOR = 6.20; 95% CI: 3.19-12.00). For the first time in Germany, this study uncovered widespread financial concerns, debt, and significant correlations between financial concerns and poor mental health among medical students at a private university. There is an urgent need for further research to better understand the causes and consequences of this issue and to develop targeted countermeasures and support services at both the political and university levels. Early counselling and therapy options addressing both mental health challenges and financial concerns are crucial for mitigating their impact on academic performance and ensuring the well-being of future medical professionals.