Mental Health in the Post-Pandemic Period: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Peruvian University Students upon Return to Face-to-Face Classes

Marilú Farfán-Latorre, Edwin Gustavo Estrada-Araoz (), Willian Gerardo Lavilla-Condori, Nelly Jacqueline Ulloa-Gallardo, Dominga Asunción Calcina-Álvarez, Llen Alin Meza-Orue, Luis Iván Yancachajlla-Quispe and Sheyla Shericza Rengifo Ramírez
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Marilú Farfán-Latorre: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru
Edwin Gustavo Estrada-Araoz: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru
Willian Gerardo Lavilla-Condori: Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru
Nelly Jacqueline Ulloa-Gallardo: Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru
Dominga Asunción Calcina-Álvarez: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru
Llen Alin Meza-Orue: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru
Luis Iván Yancachajlla-Quispe: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru
Sheyla Shericza Rengifo Ramírez: Facultad de Educación, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: Mental health is considered an indicator of well-being in which people perceive their own potential, can face adverse life situations, function adequately and fruitfully, and are capable of contributing to society. In this sense, the objective of the present investigation was to evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress in Peruvian university students upon their return to face-to-face classes. The quantitative approach was used, the design was non-experimental, and the type was descriptive of a cross-section. The sample consisted of 746 students who were administered the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, an instrument with adequate psychometric properties. The results indicate that the students presented low levels of depression and anxiety. However, they presented moderate levels of stress. High, direct, and significant correlations were also reported between depression and anxiety (rs = 0.850; p < 0.05), between depression and stress (rs = 0.840; p < 0.05), and between anxiety and stress (rs = 0.836; p < 0.05). It was also determined that depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly associated with some sociodemographic factors such as gender and age group ( p < 0.05). It was concluded that the students presented symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Therefore, it is necessary for university authorities to implement strategies for the evaluation and prevention of these symptoms and for the promotion of better mental health in future professionals to promote their personal well-being and quality of life.

Keywords: mental health; depression; anxiety; stress; post-pandemic; face-to-face classes; university students; emotional state (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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