The model of risk factors associated with psychological problems in students of Alborz University of Medical Sciences in 2018: using structural equation modeling

The aim of this study was to investigate stress, anxiety and depression and design of a structural equation model to express the importance and contribution of each risk factor in students of Alborz University of Medical Sciences.

The present study is a cross-sectional study with structural equation modeling method, which was conducted in the second half of 2018 among 700 students of Alborz University of Medical Sciences. The data were collected using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality and Depression, Anxiety and Stress DASS1. The primary model was developed based on literature review and significant variables. Structural equation modeling was performed to evaluate the fitting index of the model. Data was analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software.

According to the final structural model, 91% of depression variance was expressed by the factors presented in the model. According to this model, stress alone explained 17% of depression changes, so that high levels of stress lead to depression. The fitting index of the final model RMSEA, CFI, TLI and CMIN / DF was 0.95, 0.96, 0.06 and 2.23, respectively.

The overall results showed that there is a significant relationship between mental health problems and academic performance, family relationships and type of residence of students in Alborz University of Medical Sciences. Addiction and worrying about finding a job in the future will increase the risk of mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression.