Assessment the mental health of university students in the Peruvian Amazon: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: the mental health of university students is a growing concern worldwide, as these young individuals face a series of emotional and psychological challenges during their transition to university life. Academic pressure, social demands, and adaptation to a new environment can affect their mental well-being.Objective: to assess depression, anxiety, and stress in students from two universities providing educational services in the city of Puerto Maldonado, Peru.Methods: quantitative study, non-experimental design, analytical type. The sample consisted of 307 university students of both genders who were administered the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, an instrument with adequate psychometric properties.Results: 42,7 % of students showed symptoms of depression, 52,4 % experienced anxiety, and 28,7 % suffered from stress. High, direct, and significant correlations were also reported between depression and anxiety (rho= 0,757; p<0,05), depression and stress (rho= 0,726; p<0,05), and anxiety and stress (rho= 0,811; p<0,05). Additionally, a statistically significant association was found between anxiety and students' age, as well as between stress and gender (p<0,05).Conclusions: it was concluded that students from two universities providing educational services in the city of Puerto Maldonado, Peru, presented symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Therefore, it is suggested that universities implement early detection programs and psychological support services to address students' mental health issues