Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies 12/2019

07-09-2019 | Original Paper

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depression, Anxiety and Stress of First Year Undergraduate Students in a Public Higher Learning Institution in Malaysia

Auteurs: Nurul Syafika Amir Hamzah, Nik Daliana Nik Farid, Abqariyah Yahya, Caroline Chin, Tin Tin Su, Sanjay Rampal Lekhraj Rampal, Maznah Dahlui

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Child and Family Studies | Uitgave 12/2019

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Objectives

While university life is characterized by the pursuit of greater educational opportunities and employment prospects, it can also be a trigger of mental health problems. This study aims to: (a) measure the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-year undergraduate students in the University of Malaya, and; (b) determine the associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Methods

This cross-sectional study consisted of two phases: survey administration and physical assessment. In the first phase, data were collected electronically using a mobile application during the orientation week. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire was employed to assess respondents’ mental health status. In the second phase, anthropometric measurements which included height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were taken.

Results

Of 1602 students, the prevalence of moderate to extremely severe depression was 21% (n = 341), anxiety 50% (n = 793), and stress 12% (n = 197). Findings showed that students who lived with non-family members were more likely to develop depression (OR: 1.846, 95% CI: 1.266–2.693), anxiety (OR: 1.529, 95% CI: 1.024–2.284), and stress (OR: 1.655, 95% CI: 1.110–2.468). Those with previous medical history were more likely to have anxiety (OR: 1.697, 95% CI: 1.097–2.626). Interestingly, students from the Southern region (OR: 0.667, 95% CI: 0.468–0.950) and from Sabah and Sarawak (OR: 0.503, 95% CI: 0.281–0.900) were less likely to report depression.

Conclusions

Future intervention programs should follow the socio-ecological model while addressing university students’ mental health needs.
Literatuur
go back to reference Correll, C. U., Solmi, M., Veronese, N., Bortolato, B., Rosson, S., Santonastaso, P., & Stubbs, B. (2017). Prevalence, incidence and mortality from cardiovascular disease in patients with pooled and specific severe mental illness: a large-scale meta-analysis of 3,211,768 patients and 113,383,368 controls. World Psychiatry, 16(2), 163–180. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20420.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Correll, C. U., Solmi, M., Veronese, N., Bortolato, B., Rosson, S., Santonastaso, P., & Stubbs, B. (2017). Prevalence, incidence and mortality from cardiovascular disease in patients with pooled and specific severe mental illness: a large-scale meta-analysis of 3,211,768 patients and 113,383,368 controls. World Psychiatry, 16(2), 163–180. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1002/​wps.​20420.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Institute for Public Health (2006). Mental health status of Malaysians. The 3rd national and health morbidity survey, 2006. Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Institute for Public Health (2006). Mental health status of Malaysians. The 3rd national and health morbidity survey, 2006. Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
go back to reference Latiff, L. A., Aszahari, M. A. A., Khalek, N. F. A., Fang, K. J., & Ibrahim, N. (2014). Prevalence of mental health problems and the associated factors among undergraduate students in a public university, Malaysia. International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences, 1(1), 59–69. Latiff, L. A., Aszahari, M. A. A., Khalek, N. F. A., Fang, K. J., & Ibrahim, N. (2014). Prevalence of mental health problems and the associated factors among undergraduate students in a public university, Malaysia. International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences, 1(1), 59–69.
go back to reference Llido, L. O., & Mirasol, R. (2011). Comparison of body mass index based nutritional status using WHO criteria versus “Asian” criteria: report from the Philippines. PhilSPEN Online Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 1–8. Llido, L. O., & Mirasol, R. (2011). Comparison of body mass index based nutritional status using WHO criteria versus “Asian” criteria: report from the Philippines. PhilSPEN Online Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 1–8.
go back to reference Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales. 2nd ed. Sydney: Psychology Foundation of Australia. Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales. 2nd ed. Sydney: Psychology Foundation of Australia.
go back to reference Madlan, L., Bahari, F., & Ardillah, F. (2012). Stress and coping skills among university students: a preliminary research on ethnicity. Southeast Asia Psychology Journal, 1, 31–37. Madlan, L., Bahari, F., & Ardillah, F. (2012). Stress and coping skills among university students: a preliminary research on ethnicity. Southeast Asia Psychology Journal, 1, 31–37.
go back to reference Ministry of Education Malaysia (2013). National education statistic: higher education sector 2013. Kuala Lumpur: Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia. Ministry of Education Malaysia (2013). National education statistic: higher education sector 2013. Kuala Lumpur: Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia.
go back to reference Ministry of Education Malaysia (2015). National education statistic: higher education sector 2013. Kuala Lumpur: Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia. Ministry of Education Malaysia (2015). National education statistic: higher education sector 2013. Kuala Lumpur: Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia.
go back to reference Ramli, M., Mohd Ariff, F., Nora, M., Rosnani, S., Aidil Faszrul, A., & Musa, R. (2012). Psychometric properties of Bahasa Malaysia version of the Depressive Anxiety and Stress Scales 42-item (DASS-42). Age, 19(20), 21–22. Ramli, M., Mohd Ariff, F., Nora, M., Rosnani, S., Aidil Faszrul, A., & Musa, R. (2012). Psychometric properties of Bahasa Malaysia version of the Depressive Anxiety and Stress Scales 42-item (DASS-42). Age, 19(20), 21–22.
go back to reference Salam, A., Yousuf, R., Bakar, S. M. A., & Haque, M. (2013). Stress among medical students in Malaysia: a systematic review of literatures. International Medical Journal, 20(6), 649–655. Salam, A., Yousuf, R., Bakar, S. M. A., & Haque, M. (2013). Stress among medical students in Malaysia: a systematic review of literatures. International Medical Journal, 20(6), 649–655.
go back to reference StataCorp. (2013). Stata statistical software: release 13. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP. StataCorp. (2013). Stata statistical software: release 13. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP.
go back to reference Trueman, M., & Hartley, J. (1996). A comparison between the time-management skills and academic performance of mature and traditional-entry university students. Higher Education, 32(2), 199–215.CrossRef Trueman, M., & Hartley, J. (1996). A comparison between the time-management skills and academic performance of mature and traditional-entry university students. Higher Education, 32(2), 199–215.CrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depression, Anxiety and Stress of First Year Undergraduate Students in a Public Higher Learning Institution in Malaysia
Auteurs
Nurul Syafika Amir Hamzah
Nik Daliana Nik Farid
Abqariyah Yahya
Caroline Chin
Tin Tin Su
Sanjay Rampal Lekhraj Rampal
Maznah Dahlui
Publicatiedatum
07-09-2019
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Child and Family Studies / Uitgave 12/2019
Print ISSN: 1062-1024
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01537-y

Andere artikelen Uitgave 12/2019

Journal of Child and Family Studies 12/2019 Naar de uitgave