Depression, anxiety, and stress among students of a Peruvian public university: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: depression, anxiety, and stress are mental health conditions that affect university students worldwide. In the university context, where students face a series of academic, social, and personal challenges, these conditions can manifest in various ways, impacting both emotional well-being and academic performance. Objective: to assess depression, anxiety, and stress in a sample of students from a public university in Peru. Methods: a quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 115 students of both sexes who were administered the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, an instrument with adequate psychometric properties. Results: low levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were identified. Additionally, high, direct, and significant correlations were reported between depression and anxiety (r= 0,821; p<0,05), depression and stress (r= 0,849; p<0,05), as well as between anxiety and stress (r= 0,855; p<0,05). Moreover, statistically significant differences were found regarding stress and the participants’ sex (p<0,05). Conclusions: students from a public university in Peru exhibited symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Therefore, it is recommended to implement psychological and emotional support programs to improve students’ mental health.