Gender Disparities in Mental Health among Undergraduate Accounting Students: A UiTM Perspective

This study examined the mental health challenges encountered by undergraduate accounting students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Perak Branch, with a specific focus on gender-based disparities. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving a total of 110 participants, to assess the prevalence and severity of psychological conditions, namely depression, anxiety, and stress. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was utilized as the primary instrument for evaluating symptom intensity across the three domains. The findings revealed that male students reported moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. In comparison, female students demonstrated notably higher prevalence rates, experiencing depression, reporting anxiety, and presenting with stress at corresponding severity levels. The data suggest a significant gender disparity in mental health, with female students demonstrating higher levels of psychological distress within the Malaysian university setting.