Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Nursing Students at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2025

Abstract

Background: Mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and stress, are common among nursing students due to the demanding nature of their education. This study aims to assess the prevalence and severity of these mental health issues among nursing students using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with nursing students. Participants completed the DASS-21, a validated self-report questionnaire assessing the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress. Data were analyzed to determine the prevalence of these conditions and their severity levels. Results: The findings revealed that 46.6% of nursing students reported experiencing anxiety, 45.0% reported stress, and 27.8% reported depression. Moderate anxiety was the most common, followed by moderate stress and depression. Severe and extremely severe symptoms were less frequently reported, with anxiety being the most commonly experienced mental health issue among participants. Conclusions: The findings revealed a significant presence of anxiety and substantial levels of stress and depression among nursing students, highlighting the psychological challenges they face. These findings suggest the need for targeted mental health interventions to support the well-being and academic success of nursing students.