Abstract

The study aims to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms among lower secondary school students in An Giang province, while also examining associated factors and the relationship between these two groups of symptoms. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 395 lower secondary school students. The data were collected using a self-report questionnaire, employing the two internationally standardized screening instruments: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Using the screening cut-off score of ≥10, 63.5% of students screened positive for depressive symptoms and 48.6% screened positive for anxiety symptoms. The female students reported significantly higher levels of both depressive and anxiety symptoms than the male students. The symptom levels also differed across several demographic characteristics and school-related contexts. The correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between depressive and anxiety symptoms.

The findings suggest that a considerable proportion of lower secondary school students in An Giang province exhibit depressive and anxiety symptoms that warrant attention in mental health screening. Although these results reflect screening data rather than clinical diagnoses, they highlight the importance of strengthening school-based mental health screening, early identification, and psychological support initiatives to promote adolescent mental well-being.