Associations Between Academic Stress and Depressive Symptoms Mediated by Anxiety Symptoms and Hopelessness Among Chinese College Students

PURPOSE: Explore the potential mediating effects of anxiety symptoms and hopelessness on the relationship between academic stress and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1309 college students with informed consent were recruited from a local university in China. Academic stress, anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms were assessed by self-report scales. Haye’s PROCESS macro for SPSS was used to test the hypothesized mediation effect of anxiety symptoms and hopelessness in the relationship between academic stress and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms were common among college students and were all significantly positively associated with academic stress levels. Academic stress could indirectly affect depressive symptoms by anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and both anxiety symptoms and hopelessness. The total effect of academic stress on depressive symptoms was 0.063. The total effect of three indirect pathway was 0.039 which account for 62% of the total effect. CONCLUSION: The study detailed the specific process of depressive symptoms caused by academic stress in college students. Anxiety symptoms and hopelessness could mediate the relationship between academic stress and depressive symptoms. Paying attention to the anxiety levels and hopelessness levels of college students with high academic pressure is suggested as a means of preventing depression and promoting mental health.