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To What Extent Do Stress-Related Factors and Demographic Characteristics Predict the Likelihood of Experiencing Mental Health Challenges among Postgraduate Students?

Maria Assumpta Komugabe1,, Mugabe Bernardine2, Itamar Shabtai1

1Center for Information Systems and Technology Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California USA

2Uganda Martyrs University Faculty of Health Sciences Kampala, Uganda

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2025, 13(4), 177-183. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-13-4-5
Received July 03, 2025; Revised August 05, 2025; Accepted August 12, 2025

Abstract

This study investigated how stress-related and demographic factors predict mental health challenges among postgraduate students at Makerere University, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of 391 Master’s and Ph.D. students was analyzed using binary logistic regression. Significant predictors of mental health challenges included female gender, certain marital statuses, non–full-time employment, financial stress affecting academic performance, limited support systems, infrequent exercise, strained student–supervisor relationships, maladaptive coping strategies, perceived social isolation, and dissatisfaction with supervision. The model explained 73.3% of the variance in outcomes (Cox & Snell R² = .733). Findings emphasize the multifaceted interplay of academic, financial, relational, and psychosocial stressors contributing to psychological distress among postgraduate students. The results support the need for targeted institutional interventions in academic advising, financial assistance, mental health services, and peer/social support.

Keywords:

Academic stress, Binary logistic regression, Depression, Makerere University, Mental health, Postgraduate students, Psychosocial factors
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