Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2014, 2, 23-31 Published Online November 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jss http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jss.2014.211004 How to cite this paper: Pidgeon, A.M., et al. (2014) Psychosocial Moderators of Perceived Stress, Anxiety and Depression in University Students: An International Study. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2, 23-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jss.2014.211004 Psychosocial Moderators of Perceived Stress, Anxiety and Depression in University Students: An International Study Aileen M. Pidgeon 1 , Stephanie McGrath 2 , Heidi B. Magya 3 , Peta Stapleton 1 , Barbara C. Y. Lo 4 1 PhD (Clin) Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia 2 Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia 3 ARNP, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA 4 PhD University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China Email: stephy.mcgrath87@gmail.com Received September 2014 Abstract Extensive research shows university students experience high levels of stress, which can lead to the development of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Preliminary evidence supports the role of psychosocial factors such as perceived social support (PSS) and campus con- nectedness (CC) as protective factors in the development of mental health problems in university students. However, research conducted on the potential ameliorating effects of social support on stress applying Cohen and Wills’ (1985) stress-buffering hypothesis produced weak, inconsistent, and even contradictory results. In addition, little attention has been given to examining the pro- tective role of CC in the relationships between perceived stress, anxiety, and depression. The cur- rent study examined the applicability of CC and PSS in buffering the relationships been perceived stress, anxiety, and depression across an international sample comprised of university students (N = 206) from Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States. The prediction that CC and PSS would moderate the relationships between perceived stress, anxiety, and depression was partially sup- ported. The results indicated CC moderated the relationship between perceived stress and de- pression but did not moderate the relationship between perceived stress and anxiety. PSS did not moderate the relationship between perceived stress and depression or the relationship between perceived stress and anxiety, thus rejecting the stress-buffering hypothesis. These findings sug- gest less emphasis should be placed on PSS as a protective factor, with universities focusing on enhancing CC to reduce the high prevalence of mental health problems to promote psychological wellbeing among students. Keywords Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Psychosocial, Perceived Social Support, Campus Connectedness, Stress-Buffering Hypothesis, Moderating, Buffering