Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Students of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in Paraguay, Year 2025

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate and graduate students in Paraguay during the year 2025. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was used, resulting in a sample of 409 students from public and private universities. Data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The results indicated that 54.5% of the participants presented anxiety symptoms and 56.7% presented depression symptoms, while 40.6% exhibited stress levels ranging from mild to extremely severe. Significant differences were found according to sex, academic level, and employment status, with women and undergraduate students showing higher levels of emotional distress. Additionally, younger students reported greater symptomatology. These findings highlight the need to strengthen mental health promotion programs and psychological support strategies within higher education institutions in Paraguay.