Journals Information
Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 13(4), pp. 852 - 862
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130408
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The Impact of Academic Workload and Perceived Stress on Anxiety and Depression among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Mohamed Suiyhi 1, Anouar Alami 1,*, Zineb Boumaaize 2, Hajar Darif 2,3, Asma Id babou 1,4, Youssef El Madhi 2,5
1 Computer Science, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco
2 Laboratory of Biology and Health, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Morocco
3 Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University, Morocco
4 Regional Center for Education and Training Professions Souss Massa-Annexe Taroudant, Morocco
5 Laboratory of Education, Environment and Health, Regional Center for Education and Training Professions, Morocco
ABSTRACT
Depressive and anxiety disorders are significant global mental health concerns. In higher education, academic workload and stress make students particularly vulnerable to these disorders, especially in nursing, where training requirements are high. This study investigates the impact of academic workload and perceived stress on the prevalence of anxiety and depression among nursing students at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques (HINPHT) in Taza City, Morocco, using a quantitative correlational design involving a sample of 294 students. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire structured into three sections: 1) sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, marital status, specialty, semester of study), 2) assessment of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and 3) assessment of perceived stress through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The academic workload was calculated from the program description of the theoretical and practical modules in each semester and specialty, excluding personal work. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to determine relationships between variables. The results of the multivariate analysis, using ordinal logistic regression, revealed that academic workload had a statistically significant but minimal effect on anxiety (p-value = 0.039; AOR = 1.004) but no significant effect on depression (p-value = 0.933). Perceived stress, on the other hand, emerged as a major predictive factor for both anxiety (p-value < 0.001; AOR = 1.234) and depression (p- value < 0.001; AOR = 1.157). Considering these results, recommendations include adjusting the academic workload to align with students' skills and needs, implementing stress management strategies, providing psychological support through listening services, and creating a less stressful theoretical and clinical learning environment to safeguard the mental well-being of nursing students.
KEYWORDS
Perceived Stress, Academic Workload, Anxiety, Depression, Nursing Students
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Mohamed Suiyhi , Anouar Alami , Zineb Boumaaize , Hajar Darif , Asma Id babou , Youssef El Madhi , "The Impact of Academic Workload and Perceived Stress on Anxiety and Depression among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 852 - 862, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130408.
(b). APA Format:
Mohamed Suiyhi , Anouar Alami , Zineb Boumaaize , Hajar Darif , Asma Id babou , Youssef El Madhi (2025). The Impact of Academic Workload and Perceived Stress on Anxiety and Depression among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Universal Journal of Public Health, 13(4), 852 - 862. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130408.