Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in Peruvian adults and older adults

Depression, anxiety, and stress are prevalent emotional problems that affect mental health and quality of life, with differentiated impacts according to sociodemographic variables. Objective. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in Peruvian adults and older adults was analyzed, comparing the differences between groups according to sociodemographic variables. Method. A non-experimental, quantitative and cross-sectional design was used, with a standardized questionnaire applied to a sample of 1483 Peruvian adults and older adults intentionally selected during the first quarter of 2025. Results. Most participants had high and medium levels of depression (28.7%), anxiety (30.8%) and stress (21.4%). Significant differences were found according to sociodemographic variables. Women and single people scored higher, while participants with completed higher education and higher incomes had lower levels of emotional distress. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among Peruvian adults and older adults is worrying, which highlights the need to strengthen mental health services through the creation of specialized centers and psychosocial programs with a differentiated approach, which consider sociodemographic characteristics.