The Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety and Stress and Their Associated Factors in College Students

Enrique Ramón-Arbués, Vicente Gea-Caballero, José Manuel Granada-López, Raúl Juárez-Vela, Begoña Pellicer-García and Isabel Antón-Solanas
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Enrique Ramón-Arbués: Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus Universitario Villanueva de Gállego, Universidad San Jorge, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain
Vicente Gea-Caballero: Nursing School La Fe, Adscript Center of University of Valencia, 46026 Valencia, Spain
José Manuel Granada-López: Faculty of Health Sciences, Zaragoza University, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Raúl Juárez-Vela: Faculty of Health Sciences, La Rioja University, 26006 Logroño, Spain
Begoña Pellicer-García: Servicio Aragonés de Salud, Sector Alcañiz Atención Primaria, Centro de Salud Andorra Calle Huesca, 44500 Andorra, Spain
Isabel Antón-Solanas: Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-15

Abstract: Aim: To estimate the prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and associated factors in a population of college students. Method: Cross-sectional study of psychological distress measured through the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) in a sample of 1074 college students. Results: We found a moderate prevalence of depression (18.4%), anxiety (23.6%) and stress (34.5%) symptoms in our study population. Being <21, having problematic Internet use behavior, smoking, presenting insomnia and having a low self-esteem were independently associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Being a woman, living with their family, having a stable partner, consuming alcohol frequently and having poor nutritional habits were significantly associated with symptoms of stress; lacking a stable partner was significantly associated with depressive symptoms; and frequent consumption of alcohol was significantly associated with symptoms of anxiety. Conclusion: We found a moderate prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in our population. Interventions aimed at promoting mental health among college students should be implemented.

Keywords: depression; anxiety; stress; psychological; student health; Spain; cross-sectional studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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