title: Depression, Anxiety and Symptoms of Stress among Baccalaureate Nursing Students in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: This study examines the prevalence of depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress among baccalaureate nursing students in Hong Kong. Recent epidemiological data suggest that the prevalence of mild to severe depression, anxiety and stress among qualified nurses in Hong Kong stands at 35.8%, 37.3% and 41.1%, respectively. A total of 661 nursing students were recruited to participate in our cross-sectional mental health survey using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine significant relationships between variables. Working in general medicine, being in financial difficulty, having sleep problems, not having leisure activity and perceiving oneself in poor mental health were significant correlates of past-week depression, anxiety and stress. Year of study, physical inactivity and family crisis in the past year correlated significantly with depression. Imbalanced diets significantly correlated with anxiety. Stress was significantly associated with a lack of alone time. This is the first study to confirm empirically that clinical specialty, financial difficulties and lifestyle factors can increase nursing students' levels of depression and anxiety and symptoms of stress. Prevention, including the early detection and treatment of mental disorder, promises to reduce the prevalence of these indicators among this group.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. teris.cheung@polyu.edu.hk.|Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. teris.cheung@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Teris
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 12125573D@connect.polyu.hk.
authors.forename: Siu Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 12089424D@connect.polyu.hk.
authors.forename: Kit Yi
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 12068084D@connect.polyu.hk.
authors.forename: Lap Yan
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 12082685D@connect.polyu.hk.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 12065489D@connect.polyu.hk.
authors.forename: Man Tik
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 12089477D@connect.polyu.hk.
authors.forename: Ka Yu
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 12047158D@connect.polyu.hk.
authors.forename: Man Ying
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. sfpyip@hku.hk.
authors.forename: Paul S F
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Yip
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000193:education; D015995:Prevalence; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: DASS 21; anxiety; depression; epidemiology; mental health education; nursing students; stress