# Stress Factors and Their Association with Mental Health Problems Among Public Health Students in Makassar: A Cross-Sectional Path Analysis Study
> Riskiyani S.

URL kanonis: https://discover.unhas.ac.id/publications/pub_scopus_105046100313
Jurnal / Konferensi: Media Publikasi Promosi Kesehatan Indonesia
Tahun terbit: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56338/mppki.v9i7.8964
ISSN: 25976052
Kuartil SJR: Q4
Citations: 0

## Authors
- Riskiyani S.

## Abstract
Introduction: Student mental health remains a major concern in higher education, particularly among final-year students who face increasing academic and personal pressures. This study aimed to examine the role of stress as a mediator between personal and family factors and mental health among public health students in Makassar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 279 final-year students. Data were analyzed using path analysis to evaluate direct and indirect relationships among variables. Results: The findings indicate that personal factors significantly increased stress across all educational levels, while family factors were significant primarily among undergraduate students. Stress demonstrated a consistent and increasingly strong negative effect on mental health from undergraduate to doctoral levels (? = -0.532 to -0.709). Personal factors influenced mental health mainly through stress mediation, whereas the role of family support diminished at higher academic levels. These results highlight a developmental shift in mental health determinants from external support toward internal coping demands as academic level increases. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of level-specific mental health strategies focusing on family support for undergraduates and stress management interventions for postgraduate students.

## Keywords
- Mental health
- Path analysis (statistics)
- Psychology
- Psychological intervention
- Association (psychology)
- Coping (psychology)
- Clinical psychology
- Public health
- Stress management
- Stress (linguistics)
- Gerontology

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Sumber: Discover Unhas — RIMS Universitas Hasanuddin.
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