Investigating the relationship between resilience and depression with anxiety traits in high school adolescents in Rasht

Abstract

Objective: Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by various physical, psychological, and social changes. During this stage, adolescents are vulnerable to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Resilience, defined as the ability to cope with psychological stress, plays a protective role in adolescent mental health. This study aimed to examine the relationship between resilience and depression accompanied by anxiety symptoms among high school students in Rasht.

Methods: This applied descriptive-correlational study was conducted in the 2025 academic year. The population included second-grade high school students in Rasht. A sample of 150 students was selected using multistage cluster sampling. Data collection tools included the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses via SPSS version 26.

Results: The mean resilience score was relatively high (63.2), while mean scores for depression (12.7) and anxiety (13.4) were moderate. Significant negative correlations were found between resilience and depression (r = -0.52, p < 0.01) and between resilience and anxiety (r = -0.47, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis indicated that resilience significantly predicted 31% of the variance in depression with anxiety features.

Conclusion: Resilience is a key factor in adolescent mental health, associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Enhancing resilience through educational and psychological interventions may serve as an effective preventive strategy against mental health problems in adolescents.