FAMILY FUNCTIONALITY AS A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between family functionality and anxiety disorders in medical students at a private university in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 288 students, who completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to measure anxiety levels and the Family APGAR to assess family functionality. The results showed significantly higher levels of anxiety in women (11.03% moderate anxiety, 7.24% severe anxiety) compared to men (3.45% moderate, 1.72% severe). Regarding family functionality, 8.97% of women and 7.93% of men with severe family dysfunction presented high levels of anxiety. Students aged 23-27 years registered higher rates of severe anxiety (2.76%) and severe family dysfunction (6.90%) than the 18-22 year old group (1.72% and 4.83%, respectively). The correlation between family functionality and anxiety was significant (rho = 0.47, P < 0.01). These findings highlight the importance of family functionality in the mental health of medical students, suggesting that those in dysfunctional family environments are more likely to experience anxiety.