Objectives: 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.
Methods: 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, t-tests, and ANOVA.
Results: 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, P < 0.001), indicating that higher stress levels were associated with higher depressive symptom scores. Female students and those with the lowest academic results (3rd division: 33%-45%) reported significantly higher depressive symptoms (β =1.90, P < 0.001; β =2.33, P < 0.05). The model showed moderate explanatory power (R = 0.571, R 2 = 0.326, F = 45.81, P < 0.001). Significant group differences were found across gender (P < 0.01), hometown (P < 0.01), and grade (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: 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.
Keywords: Academic stress; correlation; cross-sectional study; depressive symptoms; school-going adolescents.
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