Refinement and Evaluation of the Effects of University Study on Lifestyle Questionnaire (EUSLQ) upon students’ anxiety and depression

Abstract

Background: The incidence of clinical anxiety and depression among university students is significantly elevated above that for the rest of the population, and has been shown to be an outcome of the specific stressor demands encountered by that group. Aims: To revise a scale that will reliably identify those stressors and the effects they have on student anxiety and depression. Sample: From advertising of the project, 398 Australian university student volunteers were recruited. Method: Participants completed the Revised Effects of University Study on Lifestyle Questionnaire (the R-EUSLQ), which measured the incidence of stressors and lifestyle changes brought about by university study, plus the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Results: Psychometric data were satisfactory and significant correlations existed between total scores from the three scales. Factor analysis of the REUSLQ revealed five components, only three of which significantly predicted anxiety or depression. Conclusions: Students’ principal source of stress that was associated with anxiety and depression was their feelings of isolation and consequent psychological distress. The R-EUSLQ has the potential to be used in research into student stress and also within clinical settings.