Do student midwives have elevated levels of anxiety, depression and stress?

Abstract

The role of a registered midwife is recognised worldwide as being stressful due to the theoretical and practical components of the job (Kuipers & Mestdagh, 2023). Midwifery students have an academic burden in addition to the clinical placement burden that registered midwives experience on a daily basis. However, the well-being of student midwives, and the need to have mental health supports available, may often be overlooked due to lack of existing research regarding student midwife mental health compared to that of registered midwives. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between anxiety, depression and stress among clinical student midwives in Queensland and convey awareness of the current mental health struggles they may experience while on clinical placement. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) was used to assess the frequency and severity of symptoms experienced by clinical student midwives in Queensland. The average score was determined from the participants’ answers. The study found high levels of stress and anxiety as well as moderate levels of depression among respondents. The findings revealed that midwifery students on clinical placements faced substantial mental health challenges. Respondents reported frequent or constant symptoms of stress, including difficulty winding down after a shift, overreacting to situations, and anxiety symptoms such as trembling, breathing difficulties and nervous energy. As a median 47.62% showed elevated levels of stress, 43.12% showed elevated levels of anxiety. Several respondents reported feelings of low mood, lack of enthusiasm, and low self-worth, although these are less prevalent than stress symptoms. As a median 19.13% showed elevated levels of depression. This indicated a relationship between clinical practice and depression-related symptoms that warrants further investigation.Based on the findings presented, it is evident that midwifery students experience a notable burden of stress, anxiety and depression during their training, with a considerable proportion reporting frequent or constant symptoms such as difficulty winding down, overreacting to situations, trembling, breathing difficulties and nervous energy. By addressing the mental health needs of midwifery students, we can ensure that they are adequately equipped to provide compassionate and effective care to expectant mothers and their families. Moreover, investing in the well-being of future midwives not only benefits the students themselves but also contributes to the overall resilience and sustainability of the midwifery profession.