Depression, Anxiety and Symptoms of Stress among Baccalaureate Nursing Students in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study

Teris Cheung, Siu Yi Wong, Kit Yi Wong, Lap Yan Law, Karen Ng, Man Tik Tong, Ka Yu Wong, Man Ying Ng and Paul S.F. Yip
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Teris Cheung: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Siu Yi Wong: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Kit Yi Wong: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Lap Yan Law: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Karen Ng: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Man Tik Tong: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Ka Yu Wong: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Man Ying Ng: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Paul S.F. Yip: Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-25

Abstract: This study examines the prevalence of depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress among baccalaureate nursing students in Hong Kong. Recent epidemiological data suggest that the prevalence of mild to severe depression, anxiety and stress among qualified nurses in Hong Kong stands at 35.8%, 37.3% and 41.1%, respectively. A total of 661 nursing students were recruited to participate in our cross-sectional mental health survey using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine significant relationships between variables. Working in general medicine, being in financial difficulty, having sleep problems, not having leisure activity and perceiving oneself in poor mental health were significant correlates of past-week depression, anxiety and stress. Year of study, physical inactivity and family crisis in the past year correlated significantly with depression. Imbalanced diets significantly correlated with anxiety. Stress was significantly associated with a lack of alone time. This is the first study to confirm empirically that clinical specialty, financial difficulties and lifestyle factors can increase nursing students’ levels of depression and anxiety and symptoms of stress. Prevention, including the early detection and treatment of mental disorder, promises to reduce the prevalence of these indicators among this group.

Keywords: anxiety; DASS 21; depression; epidemiology; stress; mental health education; nursing students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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