A longitudinal cohort study to explore the relationship between depression, anxiety and academic performance among Emirati university students

Abstract

Background Many university students experience depression and anxiety, both of which have been shown to affect cognitive function. However, the impact of these emotional difficulties on academic performance is unclear. This study aims to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in university students in United Arab Emirates (UAE). It further seeks to explore the relationship between emotional difficulties and students’ academic performance. Methods This longitudinal study recruited 404 students (aged 17–25 years) attending one UAE university (80.4% response rate). At baseline, participants completed a paper-based survey to assess socio-economic factors and academic performance, including most recent grade point average (GPA) and attendance warnings. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales were used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms. At six-month follow-up, 134 participants (33.3%) provided details of their current GPA. Results Over a third of students (34.2%; CIs 29.7–38.9%) screened for possible major depressive disorder (MDD; PHQ-9 ≥ 10) but less than a quarter (22.3%; CIs 18.2–26.3%) screened for possible generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; GAD-7 ≥ 10). The Possible MDD group had lower GPAs (p = 0.003) at baseline and were less satisfied with their studies (p = 0.015). The MDD group also had lower GPAs at follow-up (p = 0.035). The Possible GAD group had lower GPAs at baseline (p = 0.003) but did not differ at follow-up. The relationship between GAD group and GPA was moderated by gender with female students in the Possible GAD group having lower GPAs (p < 0.001) than females in the Non-GAD group. Male students in the Possible GAD group had non-significantly higher GPA scores. Higher levels of both depression and anxiety symptoms scores were associated with lower GPAs at baseline. PHQ-9 scores, but not GAD-7 scores, independently predicted lower GPA scores at follow-up (p = 0.006). This relationship was no longer statistically significant after controlling for baseline GPA (p < 0.09). Conclusion This study confirms previous findings that around a third of university students are likely to be experiencing a depressive disorder at any one time. Furthermore, it provides important evidence regarding the negative impacts of emotional difficulties on students’ academic performance. The results support the need to consider the mental health of students who are struggling academically and highlight the importance of signposting those students to appropriate support, including evidence-based therapies.

Investigating the Factors Affecting Depression By Using Structural Equation Modeling

“…Generalized anxiety disorder has been found to play a great role as one of the triggers of depression. These data were consistent with studies reporting about a significant overlap between anxiety and depression and that depression-anxiety comorbidity was always common [25][26][27].…”

Using an online CBT-based intervention to improve academic performance in students with low mood: A pre-post study with historical control

“…In the present sample, the comparison group (n = 19) was from a recent cohort study conducted by Awadalla and colleagues [3], to explore the effects of depression and anxiety on academic performance among university students. Essentially, the historic control group was from the same sample population of the current study (i.e.…”

“…Undergraduate students in their second, third, or fourth year of study at one university in the UAE Scheduled to attend an academic advisory seminar to address poor academic performance (GPA less than 2.0) Aged 18 years or over Self-identi ed as having at least one of two key symptoms of low mood, [23] Historical control group Students from a previous longitudinal cohort study of UAE university students [3] were selected as the comparison group, if they had a GPA < 2.0 at baseline and a GPA score reported at two-month follow-up.…”

“…A recent representative survey [3] reported that over one-third of Emirati students at one university scored above the threshold for major depressive disorder. Depressive symptoms at baseline, but not anxiety symptoms, were shown to predict academic performance at follow-up, as measured by grade point average (GPA).…”

Sex Differences between Young Adults in the Czech and Slovak Republics in the Relationship between Alcohol-Related Consequences and Depression

“…Moreover, the prevalence of depression in students increases during their university studies [26]. Feelings of hopelessness and despondency are common to this disorder, which can affect their academic performance [27]. In fact, depressive symptoms along with alcohol use are a serious combination, as there is a risk of suicide proneness [28].…”