Gender-Based Discrimination and Its Associations with Mental Wellbeing, Self-Efficacy and Career Choice Among Medical Students in Latvia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Gender-based discrimination in medical education remains a critical yet overlooked issue that may adversely affect the mental health and professional development of future physicians. This study investigated the prevalence of such experiences and their association with mental wellbeing, self-esteem, self-efficacy and career choices among the medical students at Rīga Stradiņš University in Latvia. Using a cross-sectional design, 294 medical students completed a survey incorporating the gender discrimination questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Overall, 36.05% (n = 106) of respondents self-identified as personally having experienced gender-based discrimination. The most encountered or witnessed discriminatory behaviours were inappropriate gender-related jokes or comments and patronizing pet names. After adjustment for age, self-reported gender, and study year, self-reported discrimination was associated with higher odds of clinically significant depressive symptoms and anxiety, as well as lower self-esteem and self-efficacy. It was also associated with a higher relative likelihood of having no current specialty option, uncertainty about pursuing residency, or no intention to pursue residency. These findings indicate the need to address gender-based discrimination within academic and clinical training environments to support student wellbeing and professional development.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2026 · DOI ↗