Anxiety and Depression Status among Mutah University Students, Jordan. A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent mental health concerns among university students worldwide, particularly in the post-pandemic academic landscape. This study investigated the levels and associated factors of anxiety and depression among undergraduate students at Mutah University, Jordan, following the return to in-person learning. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 783 students selected through multistage systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire comprising demographic items, the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale (KUAS), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
The mean anxiety score was 63.00±10.93 out of 80 (severe anxiety level), and the mean depression score was 9.37±3.74 out of 27 (Mild depression level). Male students reported significantly higher anxiety level than female students with p < 0.001. Anxiety score among smokers was significantly higher than non-smokers with p < 0.001. Non-drinkers had significantly higher anxiety scores than students who reported drinking alcohol (p < 0.001) with medium effect size, the faculty difference in anxiety (p = 0.014) did not remain significant after Bonferroni adjustment, even though statistically significant with but practically negligible as Cohen’s d= -0.18, also family income of more than 2,000 (JD) compared to the category of 1,000-1,499 was remained statistically significant after Bonferroni adjustment (p-value = 0.016). Depression level was significantly associated with sex p < 0.001; yet with modest effect, regarding faculty type (scientific vs humanitarian) the difference was statistically significant with p < 0.001 (real but modest). There is a significant difference in the mean PHQ-9 score between the family income of the category of > 2000 JD and those of < 500 JD (p = 0.048) and the category of 1,000-1,499 JD (p = 0.015). Also, KUAS score was significantly differ between the family income of more than 2000 JD and those of 1,000-1,499 JD (p = 0.016). Anxiety and depression scores were strongly and positively correlated (r = 0.565, p < 0.001).
These findings using validated instruments with a large random sample from a single public university contributes to the broader literature on student mental health and offers evidence-based implications for strengthening tailored, culturally responsive mental health strategies within the Jordanian higher education system.