Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Nursing

Advisor

Leslie C. Hussey

Abstract

High levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (SAD) can adversely influence physical health, psychological well-being, and academic and clinical performance of nursing students. Numerous studies have identified the factors associated with SAD; however, a paucity of empirical research addresses the relationship of SAD with campus connectedness (CC), perceived social support (PSS), and coping. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study, guided by Lazarus and Folkman's theory of stress, coping, and adaptation, was to determine the prevalence of SAD and examine its relationship with CC, PSS, and coping among undergraduate nursing students of Nepal. Survey research was conducted using depression anxiety stress scale, campus connectedness scale, the multidimensional scale for perceived social support, and brief cope inventory. Among 680 nursing students analyzed, the 51.7% reported moderate to extremely severe levels of SAD. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant relationship among CC, PSS, and coping with SAD (p < .001). A discriminant analysis indicated that depression best discriminated the levels of CC and PSS. The levels of coping were found to be best discriminated by anxiety. The findings can be sourced to create awareness among educators and administrators of nursing colleges about the roles that campus connectedness, social support, and coping strategies play in the occurrence SAD. Future studies can focus on the need to establish mental health screening and social support services, such as counseling centers in nursing colleges, which may bring about a positive social change in the lives of nursing students.

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