Psychological distress among college students during high air pollution: a cross-sectional correlational study

Abstract

Background: Air pollution is the fourth leading global risk factor for human health and is associated with major causes of mortality, including stroke. Developing nations bear a greater burden of its health and economic consequences. Emerging evidence indicates that air pollution also negatively impacts mental well-being, with prolonged exposure to pollutants such as PM2.5 linked to emotional distress and impaired cognitive and social functioning. Methods: The present study employed a cross-sectional correlational design with a sample of 257 college students. Data was collected between October 2025 and January 2026. Participants completed the Beck anxiety inventory, perceived stress scale, and mood and feelings questionnaire. Data was analyzed using t tests, Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression in SPSS. Results: AQI showed a significant positive correlation with mood and feelings scores. Anxiety was strongly and positively associated with both perceived stress and mood disturbances. Female participants reported significantly higher anxiety and perceived stress than males. Participants residing in areas with poor to severe AQI demonstrated higher anxiety and mood-related scores compared to those in satisfactory AQI areas. Conclusions: The findings suggest that deteriorating air quality may be associated with adverse psychological outcomes among young adults. Although the associations were modest, they highlight the importance of environmental factors as contributors to mental health and underscore the need for further research.