Predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among Thai undergraduate students

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the key factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress among 370 undergraduate students. These students were attending an autonomous university in Thailand during the second semester of the 2025 academic year. Research instruments were self-reported questionnaires based on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Mental Health Literacy Scale, and the Modified Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Their Cronbach’s alpha reliabilities were 0.95, 0.73, 0.62, and 0.93, respectively. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to examine the data gathered. Results revealed the mean scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were 4.87 (SD= 4.52), indicating mild depression; 4.89 (SD= 3.97), indicating mild anxiety; and 6.71 (SD= 4.35), indicating normal stress, respectively. Based on the multiple regression, mental health literacy and social support were statistically associated with depression (p < 0.001), social support was statistically associated with anxiety (p < 0.01), and self-esteem and mental health literacy were statistically associated with stress (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that embedding these components within academic advisory services, student affairs, and counselling services would allow universities to address depression, anxiety, and stress through a coordinated, evidence-based educational framework rather than isolated interventions.