Separation Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Latin-American University Students: the role of Interpersonal Problem Areas

Background: Research on depressive symptoms and interpersonal issues in foreign university students (FS) remains limited. This study assessed interpersonal problem areas, depressive symptoms, and adult separation anxiety (ASA) in Latin-American FS enrolled at an Italian university. We aimed to explore the relationship between these psychological dimensions and how interpersonal stressors - common in the acculturation process - may impact emotional wellbeing. Methods: Participants (N=31; 15 males, 16 females; mean age: 26.9±3.3) completed an online survey including the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), the Separation Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale (SAD-A), and the Interpersonal Problem Areas Rating Scale (IPARS). Results: The most described interpersonal problem areas were role transition (74.2%) and interpersonal deficits (51.6%). Clinically significant adult separation anxiety (ASA) was present in 54.8% of participants, and was associated with significantly higher scores in depression (ZSDS: 50.0±6.3 vs. 36.9±6.1; p=0.0001), functional impairment (WSAS: 17.4±8.4 vs. 7.5±8.6; p=0.003), and number of interpersonal issues (IPARS: 2.0±0.8 vs. 1.0±0.7; p=0.002). Conclusions: ASA and interpersonal problem areas may contribute to depressive symptoms in FS, underscoring the clinical relevance of interpersonal dimensions in this population. These findings are preliminary, given the small sample size and reliance on self-report measures.