Integrating Deep Learning into Educational Wellbeing

Early Screening of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Among University Students

Bibliographic Data

ID22048317
AuthorsBrenda Juárez Santiago (0000-0001-9071-9243, National University of San Juan), Karla Olvera-Raymundo (0009-0002-9756-8120, Technological University of Mexico), Juan Manuel Olivares-Ramírez (0000-0003-2427-6936, Technological University of Mexico, corresponding author), Norma Olguín-López (0000-0001-8592-8577, Technological University of Mexico), Omar Rodríguez-Abreo (0000-0002-8650-1185, Autonomous University of Queretaro), Omar Rodriguez Abreo (Autonomous University of Queretaro, corresponding author), Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz (Autonomous University of Queretaro), Juvenal Rodríguez‐Reséndiz (0000-0001-8598-5600, Autonomous University of Queretaro)
Year2025
Volume16
Issue1
Pages50
Publication date2025-12-31
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci16010050
OpenAlexW7117845249
LanguageEN
References cited30

The growing prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among students highlights the urgent need for school-based strategies that promote psychological well-being and timely intervention. This study explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a scalable and data-driven tool to support institutional mental health initiatives in higher education. Using synthetic and real datasets derived from validated psychometric instruments (the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14)), we trained and evaluated 32 deep neural network architectures for the early detection of emotional distress. Optimized three- and four-layer dense models achieved classification accuracies exceeding 95%, demonstrating the feasibility of deploying AI-based screening tools in educational settings. Beyond prediction, this approach can support counselors and educators in identifying at-risk students and informing proactive, school-based interventions to improve mental health and resilience in post-pandemic academic environments

Anxiety · Beck Anxiety Inventory · Beck Depression Inventory · Deep learning · Mental health · Psychological intervention · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Mental Health via Writing · Resilience and Mental Health

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