An Investigation of the Prevalence of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression and their Relationship with Some Demographic Variables in Secondary High School Female Students

Abstract

Abstract Background Given that mental health is one indicator of health evaluation in different societies and that high school students, especially girls, face many stressors, this study aims to investigate the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression and their relationship with some demographics variables which conducted in secondary high school female students. Materials and methods In this descriptive-analytical study, 1,181 secondary school girls of Rasht city were included in the study by cluster sampling method. The research was done using the DASS-21 questionnaire and demographic variables questionnaire. Data analysis was done with SPSS-21 software and statistical tests. Results A large number of students were suffering from moderate to severe stress, anxiety, and depression. The investigated variables were the history of mental illnesses in the family, the number of students in the class, the education and occupation of the parents, the economic status, the type of school, green space, the attractiveness of colors and materials, and sufficient lighting in the classroom which are related to these three types of disorders. In the results of logistic regression, the predictor variables of stress, anxiety, and depression were having green spaces in the school, sufficient lighting, and the uniqueness of the colors and materials used in the students' classrooms. Conclusion Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among students and the correlation of some changeable demographic variables with these mental disorders, efforts to create political, social, and cultural contexts and carry out educational interventions to improve the mental health of students are a serious necessity.