Prevalence and link of academic stress and depressive symptoms among school-going adolescents in Manipur, India.

Abstract

Academic stress and depressive symptoms are major mental health concerns among adolescents globally and in India. However, limited research has examined their association in Manipur, a northeastern state of India. This study assessed the prevalence of academic stress and depressive symptoms, their association, and group differences by sociodemographic variables among school-going adolescents in Manipur. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 861 students in grades 9-12 from six private schools in Manipur. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires between August and October 2024. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, multiple linear regression, <i>t</i>-tests, and ANOVA. All participants reported moderate to high academic stress, and a majority experienced mild to severe depressive symptoms. Academic stress was positively correlated with depressive symptoms and significantly predicted them (β =0.37, <i>P</i> < 0.001), indicating that higher stress levels were associated with higher depressive symptom scores. Female students and those with the lowest academic results (3^rd division: 33%-45%) reported significantly higher depressive symptoms (β =1.90, <i>P</i> < 0.001; β =2.33, <i>P</i> < 0.05). The model showed moderate explanatory power (<i>R</i> = 0.571, <i>R</i> ² = 0.326, <i>F</i> = 45.81, <i>P</i> < 0.001). Significant group differences were found across gender (<i>P</i> < 0.01), hometown (<i>P</i> < 0.01), and grade (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Academic stress levels were alarmingly high and significantly associated with depressive symptoms among adolescents. Future studies should explore school-based interventions to address academic stress and promote mental health.