Published
2025-08-16
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jose Calizaya-Lopez*, Carmen Franco-Franco, Lady Concha-Diaz, Claudia Patricia Cardenas-Ticona, James Ojeda-Portugal, Ariosto Carita-Choquecahua, Wendy Sandy Gil-Mejia, Jimena Rodriguez-Moscoso, Ana Rosario Miauri-Vilca, Miguel Pacheco-Quico

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How to Cite
Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in Peruvian adults and older adults
Jose Calizaya-Lopez
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
Carmen Franco-Franco
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
Lady Concha-Diaz
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
Claudia Patricia Cardenas-Ticona
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
James Ojeda-Portugal
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
Ariosto Carita-Choquecahua
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
Wendy Sandy Gil-Mejia
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
Jimena Rodriguez-Moscoso
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
Ana Rosario Miauri-Vilca
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
Miguel Pacheco-Quico
Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa, 04001, Peru
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i8.3939
Keywords: Prevalence; depression; anxiety, stress; mental health; sociodemographic variables
Abstract
Depression, anxiety, and stress are prevalent emotional problems that affect mental health and quality of life, with differentiated impacts according to sociodemographic variables. Objective. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in Peruvian adults and older adults was analyzed, comparing the differences between groups according to sociodemographic variables. Method. A non-experimental, quantitative and cross-sectional design was used, with a standardized questionnaire applied to a sample of 1483 Peruvian adults and older adults intentionally selected during the first quarter of 2025. Results. Most participants had high and medium levels of depression (28.7%), anxiety (30.8%) and stress (21.4%). Significant differences were found according to sociodemographic variables. Women and single people scored higher, while participants with completed higher education and higher incomes had lower levels of emotional distress. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among Peruvian adults and older adults is worrying, which highlights the need to strengthen mental health services through the creation of specialized centers and psychosocial programs with a differentiated approach, which consider sociodemographic characteristics.
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