Perceived Social Support predicts Psychological Problems among University Students

Background: psychological problems are prevailing among university students, which need the attention of university management, government, social workers, and counsellors as well. Aims: to find out the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress among students, and their level of perceived social support. Study also aims to find the impact of perceived social support on psychological problems (depression, anxiety, and stress). Methodology: Cross sectional survey designed was used to collect data, from 200 university students (m=100; f=100). They were selected through purposive sampling technique from various universities of Karachi, Pakistan with mean age (21.79 ±2.970). Depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) was used to measure the student’s level of depression, anxiety and stress (Lovibond & lovibond, 1995). Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MPSS) (Zimet et al. 1988) was used to measure social support. Regression analysis was used to test assumption. Results: In our sample out of 200 students, 58%, 69%, 40% have mild to severe level of depression, anxiety and stress respectively. Perceived social supports predict 6%depression and 2% anxiety in our sample respectively. Conclusion: Depression, Anxiety and Stress are highly prevailing among university students. Perceived social support is negatively associated with depression, anxiety and stress. While perceived social support is a significant negative predictor of depression and anxiety. Implications: It is implicated that university students needs counselling services as they are having high rate of psychological problems and low levels of perceived social support. University management should develop policies and programs for increasing perceived social support among students. Future research should look at role of coping in influence of perceived social support on psychological problems.