Factors influencing Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Students regarding The Thesis Process

Purpose: To investigate the factors contributing to stress, anxiety, and depression among Vietnamese students before and during their thesis process. Methodology: A Cross-sectional online survey was conducted with questionnaire comprised three parts: (1) demographics, (2) thesis status, expectation, and potential factors influencing stress, anxiety, and depression, and (3) The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) assessment. The collected data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher’s Exact test, and Path analysis to explore relationships among the surveyed variables to stress/anxiety/depression condition. Results: Among participants, 180 were pre-thesis students, 83 were peri-thesis students, and 212 had completed the thesis. Six factors were identified as significantly influencing stress, anxiety, and depression among pre-thesis students. They included “Pressure from discrimination”, “Pressure from unexpected incidents”, “Good pedagogical skills of thesis advisor”, “Stopping grade-improvement courses when doing thesis”, “Dealing with illnesses that are being treated”, and “Student’s expectations for their future thesis”. Perceived discrimination would directly increase stress score (β=0.16, p-value<0.001), and was directly influenced by factors such as (1) “Pressure from unexpected incidents”, (2) “Good pedagogical skills of thesis advisor”, and (3) “Stopping grade-improvement courses when doing thesis”. Anxiety scores were increased by “Current illnesses” and “Stopping grade-improvement courses when doing thesis” (β= 0.13, p-value=0.002 and β=0.15, p-value<0.001, respectively). Only “Student’s expectations for their future thesis” increased the severity of depression. For the peri-thesis group, strong “Academic supports from thesis-conducting institute” and a “Good attitude of thesis advisor” enhanced the likelihood of receiving administrative supports, thereby decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression scores (β=-0.31, p-value=0.008; β=-0.39, p-value<0.001; and β=-0.42, p-value=0.008, respectively). Conclusions: Thesis-conducting environment, students’ expectations of future advisors and schedules might directly and indirectly impact stress, anxiety, and depression levels among students in pre-thesis and peri-thesis stages.