The Impact of Alienation on the Psychological and Social Aspects and Quality of Life of Medical Students in Assuit University

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Medical education is one of the most challenging and demanding academic paths, often associated with high levels of stress, workload, and continuous pressure to achieve academic excellence \[1,2,4,5\]. These factors can significantly affect the psychological and social well-being of medical students, especially during their formative years at university \[6,7\]. One of the critical psychological phenomena that may emerge in this context is alienation, which refers to a sense of estrangement, disconnection, or detachment from oneself, others, or the surrounding environment \[3,8\]. Alienation among medical students has been linked to various psychological consequences, including anxiety, depression, burnout, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment \[4-7,11-13\]. On a social level, alienation can hinder the development of healthy interpersonal relationships, reduce social participation, and impair the sense of belonging within the academic community \[8-10,13,15\]. These psychological and social challenges, in turn, can have a profound impact on students' overall quality of life, which encompasses their physical, emotional, and social well-being \[10,14\]. Understanding the impact of alienation on medical students is of particular importance in contexts such as Assiut University, where cultural, social, and academic pressures may further intensify the experience of alienation \[11-13\]. Investigating this relationship can help educators, administrators, and policymakers develop targeted interventions and supportive strategies that promote students' psychological health, social integration, and overall academic success \[9,10,13,15\]. This study, therefore, aims to explore the impact of alienation on the psychological and social aspects of medical students at Assiut University, and how these factors collectively influence their quality of life.