The relationship between perceived stress and depression and anxiety in college students: The effect of social support.

Objective: To examine the relationship between college students' perceived stress,depression and anxiety, and to investigate the effect of social support. Methods: 394 college students were asked to fill out the questionnaires of stress perception, depression, anxiety and social support. Results: (1) There was significantly positive correlation between perceived stress and depression and anxiety. (2) Significantly negative correlation was found between perceived social support and perceived stress. (3) Whether perceived lower or higher stress, those students with higher social support reported less depression and anxiety. (4) Students with high level of stress and low level of social support were at high risk for negative feelings. Conclusion: Life stress is closely related to depression and anxiety. Social support could play important roles in improving individual's mental health.