Relationship between Non-school Study and Mental Health of Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: The tendency to read and study is one of the most important indicators of growth and development. This is an effective factor for avoiding one-dimensional thinking and developing human talents in various fields. This study aimed to determine the relationship between non-school study and mental health in student s of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2010-2011. Methods: In this descriptive –correlational study, 300 third year students (out of 1054 students) of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were selected through stratified, randoms ampling. Data gathering tools were a researcher-made questionnaire and general health questionnaire. Content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed .Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was calculated 0.86 for researcher-made questionnaire and 0.83 for Goldenberg and Hiller mental health questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive and the inferential (t-test, ANOVA and Tukey test) statistics. Results: The mean of facilitating factors for non-school study was at the intermediate level. The mean of barriers was less than the average level. 53.2 percent had mental health, 44.6 percent had pathological symptoms and2/2percentdid not respond questions related to mental health. Subject shad mental health in term of "somatization" and "depression" sub-scales, and they had pathological symptoms in "social function failure", "anxiety and "insomnia" sub-scales. The correlation coefficient between facilitating factors and mentioned sub-scales(i.e. somatization, anxiety, insomnia, social function failure and depression)was significant (P>0.05). Facilitating factors and somatization, anxiety, insomnia and depression sub-scales had the inverse association. Facilitating factors and social function failure sub-scales were directly associated. The correlation coefficient between barriers and mentioned sub-scales(i.e. somatization, anxiety, insomnia, and depression)was significant (P>0.05). Therefore, there is a direct relationship between barriers and somatization, anxiety and insomnia and depression sub-scales. Conclusion:The ability to study is one-way for improving the thinking and logical thinking ability. Its leasteffect is intellectual system activation. It has a positive impact on the mind, intelligence, thinking, behavior and ethics