Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life: A Comparative Study of University Students Living at Home and Away from Home

This dissertation explores the psychological well-being of university students in India, with particular focus on how living arrangements, living at home versus living away from home, affect levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived quality of life (QoL). Drawing from a sample of 120 students across five major Indian universities, the study employs a quantitative, cross-sectional, and comparative design. Standardized psychometric instruments were used for data collection: the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Results revealed that 80% of participants experienced some level of anxiety, while 88.3% reported symptoms of depression, with more than half falling in the moderate to severe range. Independent samples t-tests showed significantly higher levels of both anxiety and depression among students living away from home compared to those living with family. However, no statistically significant difference was found in quality-of-life scores between the two groups. These findings align with previous studies, which highlight the protective role of family support in mitigating psychological distress among students. The study underscores the critical importance of institutional support systems, particularly for students living away from home. Policy implications include the integration of routine mental health assessments, increased access to campus-based counselling, and targeted interventions based on student accommodation status. By addressing an underexplored aspect of student life in the Indian context, this dissertation contributes to the growing body of literature on mental health in higher education and offers evidence-based recommendations for academic and policy stakeholders. It also calls for more inclusive and longitudinal research to better understand the evolving mental health needs of students in a post-pandemic academic landscape.