Psychometric Analysis of Undergraduate Nursing Students using Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Students at nursing colleges encounter not only issues associated to individual life, but also learning difficulties. The rigor in professional training may predispose them to depression, anxiety and stress. Aim: To investigate the prevalence and psychometric condition such as depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in undergraduate nursing students. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 387 female nursing students, aged between 18-27 years (21.16±1.52) from AIIMS, Bhopal and Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. They were analysed using Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-42 (DASS-42). This self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed through ‘WhatsApp’ web and e-mail, in the form of “Google form” to all the enrolled students. The Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and Statistical Package for The Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analysed the data using percentages. Results: The questionnaire was filled by 223 out of 387 students. The response rate was 57.62 percent. The mean age of the respondents were 21.16 years (±1.52 years). The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress prevalence were 36.7%, 49.33% and 34.98%, respectively. In the depression and anxiety traits, majority of students were in moderate stage (14.35%, 21.08%), while in stress, majority (17.04%) of students were in mild stage. Spearman correlation found a significant moderate positive relationship between depression and anxiety (r=0.592, p<0.001), depression and stress (r=0.578, p<0.001), anxiety and stress (r=0.652, p<0.001). Conclusion: Among the undergraduate nursing students, depression, anxiety and stress was found to be remarkable. Hence, it is necessary to enhance mental well-being among nursing students. The results allow for anxiety control screening measures and expanded rehabilitation and treatment to be initiated for the students.

Keywords

• autonomic arousal
• mental health
• nursing education
• psychological illness