Depression, anxiety, and stress among vocational college students during the initial stage of post-epidemic era: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of depression, anxiety, and stress among vocational college students. 1255 students participated in the cross-sectional study. The Chinese version of the 21-item the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) was used. Depression was reported in 37.6% of vocational college students, anxiety in 51.6%, and stress in 38.1%. Logistic regression results showed that a higher degree of depression, anxiety, and stress was associated with female, poor and moderate self-rated health status, from other provinces, poor self-rated family financial status and living off campus (P < .05). Junior and from one-parent or parentless family were more likely to experience depression and stress (P < .05). Additionally, the likelihood of having depression was higher in non-only-child students (P < .01) and rural family location was a risk factor for stress (P < .001). A higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was found in vocational college students. Timely and targeted psychological interventions should be taken.