Predictors and Associated Factors for Depression, Stress and Anxiety Among Undergraduate Colleges Students

The COVID-19 pandemic affected students instigating psychological issues mainly depression, stress, and anxiety. The current study aimed to identify the predictors and associated factors for depression, stress and anxiety among undergraduate colleges students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 206 students from the Higher College of Technology, Sharjah Campuses participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Data was collected between March and May 2021 via online survey including a demographic data questionnaire and the depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21). The mean depression, stress, and anxiety scores were 15.56 (±11.573), 17.13 (±10.946), and 14.90 (±10.523) respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation between age and depression score (r = 0.020, n = 207, p = 0.770), stress score (r = 0.020, n = 207, p = 0.779), and anxiety score (r = −0.011, n = 207, p = 0.876). No statistically significant correlation was found between the students’ depression, stress and anxiety scores and the study variables. Gender statistically and significantly predicted the students’ depression category (β = −1.445, p = 0.018), and females were 1.445 (95% CI, −2.642 to −0.249) times less likely to have higher depression than males. The odds of single students having higher depression score was 2.918 (95% CI, −0.244 to 5.593) times that of their counterparts Wald χ2(1) = 4.575, p = 0.032. The odds of single students having higher stress score was 21.921 (95% CI, 18.998 to 24.645) times that of their counterparts Wald χ2(1) = 229.510, p < 0.001. This underlines the need for identification and management of vulnerable students.