Extracurricular Activities and Mental Health: Insights From Pharmacy Students in Saudi Arabia.

Clinically significant mental health symptoms were highly prevalent among pharmacy students at King Khalid University.

• 38% of students reported clinically significant depression symptoms
• 52% of students reported clinically significant anxiety symptoms
• 35% of students reported clinically significant stress symptoms
• Symptoms were measured using the DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21)

The majority of pharmacy students reported participation in extracurricular activities, primarily involving volunteering, social, cultural, and sports activities.

• 79% of the 220 pharmacy students reported extracurricular involvement
• Activity types included volunteering, social, cultural, and sports activities
• Data collected included type, frequency, and hours per week of participation
• Study was cross-sectional in design with a sample of 220 pharmacy students

Participation in extracurricular activities did not produce a statistically significant difference in DASS-21 scores compared to non-participation.

• No statistically significant difference in DASS-21 scores between participants and non-participants (p > 0.05 for all subscales)
• Neither the type nor the frequency of activities conferred a meaningful protective effect
• Analytical methods included t-tests, ANOVA, and regression modelling
• This finding held across depression, anxiety, and stress subscales

Female gender and prior mental health diagnoses were the strongest independent predictors of higher psychological distress.

• Female gender emerged as a strong independent predictor of higher psychological distress
• Prior mental health diagnoses emerged as a strong independent predictor of higher psychological distress
• These variables were identified through regression modelling
• High psychological distress persisted especially among female students and those with prior diagnoses despite widespread extracurricular participation

The authors concluded that targeted, quality-focused mental health interventions are needed beyond simply encouraging extracurricular activity.

• Despite 79% participation in extracurricular activities, high psychological distress persisted in the student population
• Extracurricular activities as currently structured did not significantly impact depression, anxiety, or stress scores
• The findings suggest the need for interventions specifically targeting high-risk groups such as female students and those with prior mental health diagnoses
• The study was conducted at King Khalid University using a cross-sectional design