Exploring the influence of BDNF Val66Met gene polymorphism and coping mechanisms on depression, anxiety, and stress among allied health sciences undergraduates

Abstract

Mental health is influenced by genetic and psychological factors. While higher education supports personal and professional growth, it also poses challenges to student well-being. This research aimed to explore the influence of BDNF Val66Met gene polymorphisms and coping mechanisms on mental health among medical and allied health sciences undergraduates at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. A total of 109 undergraduates completed a series of questionnaires, including a demographic questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), the Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE), and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life – BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Participants then submitted their saliva samples for gene polymorphism analysis. Results showed that 20.2% of participants had severe to extremely severe symptoms of depression, 43.1% for anxiety, and 15.6% for stress. While homozygous Met allele carriers (Met/Met) had higher mean anxiety and stress scores than Val allele carriers (Val/Val and Val/Met), the differences were not statistically significant. For homozygous Met allele carriers, problem-focused coping showed a negative correlation, whereas emotion-focused coping showed a positive correlation with depression and stress. Avoidant-focused coping was positively predicted by depression among Val allele carriers. Importantly, the Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) indicated that coping strategies exerted a stronger influence on mental health outcomes than BDNF genotype, even after controlling for demographic variables. Additionally, the psychological quality-of-life subscale significantly predicted mental health outcomes. These findings highlight the need for coping-based interventions to improve students' mental well-being, as well as further research into genetic influences.