PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG UNEMPLOYED UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Unemployment is a major psychosocial stressor linked to significant mental health challenges, particularly among youth. While global research has consistently highlighted the association between unemployment and psychological distress, there remains a notable lack of focus on unemployed university students in Pakistan. In a society with strong collectivistic values and economic constraints, the psychological impact of joblessness on students warrants deeper investigation to inform effective interventions and policy development.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between depression, anxiety, and stress among unemployed university students in Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational research design was adopted. A total of 208 unemployed university students, aged 18 to 35 years, were recruited through purposive sampling from various HEC-recognized institutions. Participants had to be unemployed for at least one year to meet the inclusion criteria. Psychological distress was measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), a validated self-report instrument with high internal consistency (α = .88 for depression, .82 for anxiety, and .90 for stress). Data were analyzed using SPSS v29, applying Pearson correlation and subgroup analyses including t-tests and ANOVA.

Results: The mean age of participants was 24.13 years (SD = 4.37); 33% were male and 67% were female. Education levels included 52% bachelor’s, 30% master’s, and 18% PhD students. Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were significantly and positively correlated (r = .98, r = .99, r = .97 respectively, p < .01). ANOVA revealed significant differences in psychological distress by education level (p < .05), but not by gender.

Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for policy reforms including government-sponsored internships, remote job access, parental psychoeducation, and mental health initiatives to address the emotional burden of unemployment among university students.