The Burden of University Life: Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Undergraduates

Abstract: Mental health concerns among university students have been widely recognized as a growing issue, particularly in relation to stress, anxiety, and depression. This study examines the burden of stress, anxiety, and depression among undergraduate students at Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey design was used, with 372 students participating through convenience sampling. The study employed the Bangla version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to measure psychological distress. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS (version 27.0). Descriptive statistics were computed, and Pearson’s correlation, independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and hierarchical regression analysis were conducted to explore associations and predictive relationships among variables. Results revealed significant positive correlations between stress, anxiety, and depression. Gender differences were observed, with female students reporting higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to males. Additionally, a significant increase in psychological distress was noted across academic years, with fourth-year students exhibiting the highest levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Post-hoc analysis indicated that these differences were particularly pronounced between first- and fourth-year students. Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that stress significantly predicted depression, accounting for a substantial proportion of the variance. When anxiety was added, the explanatory power increased, highlighting the combined impact of stress and anxiety on depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions for university students, particularly those in higher academic years and female students. Addressing stress and anxiety through proactive support strategies could mitigate their impact on depression and enhance students' overall well-being.