Associations Between Academic Stress and Depressive Symptoms Mediated by Anxiety Symptoms and Hopelessness Among Chinese College Students

Abstract

Purpose Explore the potential mediating effects of anxiety symptoms and hopelessness on the relationship between academic stress and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. Patients and Methods A total of 1309 college students with informed consent were recruited from a local university in China. Academic stress, anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms were assessed by self-report scales. Haye’s PROCESS macro for SPSS was used to test the hypothesized mediation effect of anxiety symptoms and hopelessness in the relationship between academic stress and depressive symptoms. Results Anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms were common among college students and were all significantly positively associated with academic stress levels. Academic stress could indirectly affect depressive symptoms by anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and both anxiety symptoms and hopelessness. The total effect of academic stress on depressive symptoms was 0.063. The total effect of three indirect pathway was 0.039 which account for 62% of the total effect. Conclusion The study detailed the specific process of depressive symptoms caused by academic stress in college students. Anxiety symptoms and hopelessness could mediate the relationship between academic stress and depressive symptoms. Paying attention to the anxiety levels and hopelessness levels of college students with high academic pressure is suggested as a means of preventing depression and promoting mental health.

English-learning stress and performance in Chinese college students: A serial mediation model of academic anxiety and academic burnout and the protective effect of grit

“…Academic anxiety refers to uneasy or unpleasant psychological reflection produced by the learning process, often caused by internal conflict, and is a state of tension specific to students ( Pekrun, 2005 ). Many studies have shown that learning stress is one of the most important reasons for academic anxiety among college students ( Leung et al, 2010 ; Tholen et al, 2022 ; Zhang et al, 2022 ). For example, Zhang et al (2022) found that English-learning stress was significantly positively associated with anxiety symptoms in a sample of 1,309 Chinese college students.…”

“…Many studies have shown that learning stress is one of the most important reasons for academic anxiety among college students ( Leung et al, 2010 ; Tholen et al, 2022 ; Zhang et al, 2022 ). For example, Zhang et al (2022) found that English-learning stress was significantly positively associated with anxiety symptoms in a sample of 1,309 Chinese college students.…”

English Learning Stress, Self-Efficacy, and Burnout among Undergraduate Students: The Moderating Effect of Mindfulness and Gender

“…The results are also consistent with previous studies [ 18 , 22 ]. Undergraduate students with higher English learning stress had a lower level of English learning adaptability, and they were more likely to experience frustration, despair, and hopelessness [ 14 ]. These feelings may contribute to decreased self-efficacy in learning English, leading students to believe that they cannot complete learning tasks [ 12 ].…”

“…Undergraduate students with heavier perceived English learning stress could suffer from impaired learning self-efficacy. Chronic learning stress often leads to chronic negative effects such as anxiety, depression, and hopelessness [ 14 ]. Furthermore, excessive academic tasks as well as frequent academic failures and inadequacies can also damage undergraduate students’ learning motivation [ 15 ].…”

The association between academic stress, social support, and self-regulatory fatigue among nursing students: a cross-sectional study based on a structural equation modelling approach

“…The World Health Organization defines academic stress as “the perception by certain students of events in the learning process as a threat to themselves, resulting in a range of undesirable behaviors” (e.g., worry, anxiety, or fear). It has been demonstrated that persistent learning stress can cause symptoms and issues such as low energy, depression, trouble concentrating, irritation, stress, and physical discomfort [ 6 ]. According to a poll of 27,343 college students who were under academic stress, 23% of college students reported feeling very stressed out and 91% reported having bad academic things happen to them in the previous 6 months [ 7 ].…”