Publication:

Exploring mental well-being and resilience factors among medical resident doctors in a tertiary care institute in Mumbai

Background Resident doctors face significant professional pressures, shifting research focus toward positive mental health and resilience. This study utilizes the Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale (WEMWBS) to assess psychological health, examining its relationship with resilience and demographic factors. By identifying protective coping mechanisms within a community medicine framework, the findings aim to support resident welfare and enhance patient care quality.

Methods This cross-sectional observational study, conducted from December 2024 to March 2025, included 135 Resident Medical Officers from 18 departments in Mumbai using proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected through Google Forms using WEMWBS and BRS tools, after IRB approval, and analysed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25 with appropriate statistical tests.

Results Among 135 residents (66.7% female), the mean mental well-being score was 45.04±11.03, with 28.9% reporting very low well-being. The mean resilience score was 19.23±3.43, where 72.6% displayed normal to high resilience. While gender and training year showed no significant associations, specialization significantly influenced both well-being (p=0.014) and resilience (p<0.001). Participants worked an average of 69.29 hours weekly, reporting a mean stress score of 5.87. Social support from friends and family (66.7%) was the most prevalent coping strategy.

Conclusions Among 135 Mumbai residents, average mental well-being (mean 45.04) and high resilience were reported. Specialization significantly influenced outcomes, favoring pre/paraclinical roles. Social support remains a key protective factor, highlighting the importance of institutional resilience-building initiatives.