The cost of depression among residents is staggering as it extends into the quality and safety of patient care. Finding an explanation for the factors associated with it such as study skills is therefore very important. A clear gap on this topic was found in the literature. The aim is to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and their study skills.

Cross-sectional study. Around 240 Residents from King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) were invited to fill out the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and the study skills inventory (SSI). ANOVA, student t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficient were used.

Overall, 186 residents (76%) filled out the questionnaire.  

The SSI total score was found to have a significant negative association with the BDI-II depression score.

The mean (±SD) score of the residents' total study skills was 42.56 ± 8.064 out of possible maximum 69. While the mean of residents' total depressive symptoms scores (BDI-II) was 11.64 (±10.09) out of possible maximum 63. No statistically significant association was found with demographic variables.

A significant association was found between concentration and memory skills and the gender (p≤0.004). Furthermore, a statistically significant association was found between time management skills, age (p≤0.007) and training years (p≤0.035). Additionally, emotional management skills had been statistically significant among different specialties (p≤0.037).

Poor study skills were found to be correlated with higher depressive symptoms. This association needs confirmation in future research and could open a new door for combating resident depression.

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