Prevalence of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Among Bangladeshi School‐Going Adolescents: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Background: Mental health challenges among adolescents are a growing global concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh, where school-going adolescents often face demanding psychological and academic stressors. These stressors may contribute to the development of mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Aims: In this context, the present study sought to investigate the prevalence of these mental health problems and examine the impact of gender and academic grade levels among Bangladeshi school students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July 2024 to March 2025 with a random sample of 400 students from eight government schools in the Gopalganj district. The Bangla version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to collect responses from participants. Results: < 0.001). Moreover, as the grade increased, stress, anxiety, and depression increased significantly, with the highest level being in the 10th and 12th grades (board examinations). Mediation analysis showed that anxiety serves as a partial mediator between stress and depression, suggesting that anxiety induced by stressors may lead to depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of gender-sensitive and grade-specific mental health intervention needs among Bangladeshi school students.