Depression, Anxiety, and Stress During Times of COVID-19: An Analysis of Youngsters Studying in Higher Education in India

This study addressed the critical problems of depression, anxiety, and stress, which are prevalent among students pursuing higher education. Specifically, this article aimed to study the level of psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by young people studying in higher education institutions in India. The study also attempted to identify various coping strategies students adopted to overcome this difficult time. Following a descriptive research design, this study used surveys to collect primary data from 235 students in graduate and undergraduate programs in India. The DASS-21 scale was used to check the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress students experienced. Furthermore, a four-point COPE scale was used to identify coping strategies students adopted. The results showed that students experienced high levels of stress and anxiety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although depression levels were not alarming, most students were worried about several aspects of their lives and careers. However, because the data were collected from a relatively small sample, the study is likely not generalisable. Furthermore, most of the data were collected online, which has its limitations. This research likely has significant implications for various stakeholders, such as students, parents, institutions, counsellors, and government and non-government bodies, because it may help them take appropriate actions. These research contributions are original and novel, because the COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges and inspired new solutions to the problems of students and society.