The profile of anxiety, stress, and depression among pharmacy students in Universitas Islam Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Implementation of the new curriculum is tiresome for both lecturers and students. Students who are passive and have limited cognitive abilities will feel depressed. This condition can cause anxiety leading to stress and ultimately depression. The enhancement of graduation standards for apothecary students rises the depression risk factors, especially for retaker students (students who do not pass the Indonesian Pharmacist Competency Exam). Objective: This study aimed to identify the level of anxiety, stress, and depression among undergraduate pharmacy and pharmacist profession students. Method: This study was a cross-sectional design that employed the students of undergraduate and apothecary programs. Respondents involved in this study were undergraduate students in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year (n=451) and professional students from batches 35, 36, and 37 (n=271). The DASS 42 questionnaire (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) was used to identify depression. The data were analyzed descriptively. Result: The number of respondents who met the inclusion criteria was 668. Most undergraduate students had moderate levels of anxiety, normal stress, and normal depression, while apothecary students had normal profiles for all parameters. Conclusion: The various activities and pressure during the learning process triggered psychological disorders for only 5% of respondents. Keywords: Anxiety, stress, depression, DASS-42