Journal List > J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc > v.55(3) > 1017802

Lee, Kim, Ha, Park, Jung, Park, and Kim: Prevalence and Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms among University Students : From the Honam District, Korea

Abstract

Objectives

This study investigates the prevalence of depressive symptoms and co-variates among university students in Honam district, Korea.

Methods

One thousand seven hundred and thirty (792 male and 938 female) university students were randomly selected to participate in a survey. Subjects were administered self-report questionnaires : Beck Depression Inventory, Life Experience Survey, Satisfaction with Life Scale.

Results

The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 14.9% overall, and 10.8% in males, 18.3% in females. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, satisfaction with life (β=-0.405, R2=0.257, p<0.001), stress (β=0.212, R2=0.312, p<0.001), suicidal attempt (β=0.133, R2=0.349, p<0.001) and female gender (β=-0.108, R2=0.358, p<0.001) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Among life stress factors, worry about employment, maladaptation of major field of study, appearance and body shape, lack of time and academic achievement were significantly associated, over r=0.25 with depression in sequence (r=0.256 to r=0.321).

Conclusion

This study showed very high prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in Honam district, Korea. Intensive mental health promotion programs to prevent depression and early detection of depressive symptoms appear needed to improve mental health status for university students.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

General characteristics between the depressed and the non-depressed university students (n=1730)

jkna-55-215-i001

* : Independent t-test (mean±SD), : Chi-square test (no, %). SES : Socio-economic status

Table 2

Health related characteristics between the depressed and the non-depressed university students (n=1730)

jkna-55-215-i002

* : Independent t-test (mean±SD). : Chi-square test (no, %). BMI : Body mass index, BDI : Beck Depression Inventory, SWLS : Satisfaction with Life Scale

Table 3

Stress level between the depressed and the non-depressed university students

jkna-55-215-i003
Table 4

Stepwise multiple regression analysis for the factors affecting depressive symptoms

jkna-55-215-i004

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2015S1A3A2046905).

Notes

Conflicts of Interest The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

References

1. Farabaugh A, Bitran S, Nyer M, Holt DJ, Pedrelli P, Shyu I, et al. Depression and suicidal ideation in college students. Psychopathology. 2012; 45:228–234.
crossref
2. Buchanan JL. Prevention of depression in the college student population: a review of the literature. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2012; 26:21–42.
crossref
3. Eller T, Aluoja A, Vasar V, Veldi M. Symptoms of anxiety and depression in Estonian medical students with sleep problems. Depress Anxiety. 2006; 23:250–256.
crossref
4. Sarokhani D, Delpisheh A, Veisani Y, Sarokhani MT, Manesh RE, Sayehmiri K. Prevalence of depression among university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis study. Depress Res Treat. 2013; 2013:373857.
crossref
5. Kessler RC, Walters EE. Epidemiology of DSM-III-R major depression and minor depression among adolescents and young adults in the National Comorbidity Survey. Depress Anxiety. 1998; 7:3–14.
crossref
6. Eisenberg D, Gollust SE, Golberstein E, Hefner JL. Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality among university students. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2007; 77:534–542.
crossref
7. Steptoe A, Tsuda A, Tanaka Y, Wardle J. Depressive symptoms, socio-economic background, sense of control, and cultural factors in university students from 23 countries. Int J Behav Med. 2007; 14:97–107.
crossref
8. Tomoda A, Mori K, Kimura M, Takahashi T, Kitamura T. One-year prevalence and incidence of depression among first-year university students in Japan: a preliminary study. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2000; 54:583–588.
crossref
9. Ibrahim AK, Kelly SJ, Adams CE, Glazebrook C. A systematic review of studies of depression prevalence in university students. J Psychiatr Res. 2013; 47:391–400.
crossref
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Current depression among adults---United States, 2006 and 2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010; 59:1229–1235.
11. Andrade L, Caraveo-Anduaga JJ, Berglund P, Bijl RV, De Graaf R, Vollebergh W, et al. The epidemiology of major depressive episodes: results from the International Consortium of Psychiatric Epidemiology (ICPE) Surveys. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2003; 12:3–21.
crossref
12. Index.go.kr [homepage on the Internet]. Trend of employees and unemployment rate. Seoul: Statistics Korea;c2009-14. 2014 Dec 16. 2015 Apr 21. Available from: http://www.index.go.kr/search/search.jsp/.
13. Hira.or.kr [homepage on the Internet]. Disease Statistics Information. Seoul: Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service;c2009-14. 2014 April 4. 2015 May 17. Available from: http://www.hira.or.kr/main.do/.
14. Djernes JK. Prevalence and predictors of depression in populations of elderly: a review. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2006; 113:372–387.
crossref
15. Park JH, Lee JJ, Lee SB, Huh Y, Choi EA, Youn JC, et al. Prevalence of major depressive disorder and minor depressive disorder in an elderly Korean population: results from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging (KLoSHA). J Affect Disord. 2010; 125:234–240.
crossref
16. Kim SH, Kim JH, Jung HS, Park JC, Kim YS. Depressive symptoms among a group of medical students: prevalence, related factors and moderating effect by the positive psychotherapy. J Korean Soc Depress Bipolar Disord. 2014; 12:128–136.
17. Hahn HM, Yum TH, Shin YW, Kim KH, Yoon DJ, Chung KJ. A standardization study of Beck Depression Inventory in Korea. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 1986; 25:487–500.
18. Shin MS, Kim ZS, Park KB. The cut-off scores for the Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory. Korean J Clin Psychol. 1993; 12:71–81.
19. Yoo HJ, Hwang SH, Hong JP, Kim HS, Lee C, Han OS. The influence of IMF-related economic stress upon mental health. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 2000; 39:65–77.
20. Lee EK. The effects of neuroticism and extraversion on subjective well-being: the importance of depression and positive emotions [dissertation]. Seoul: Yonsei University;2005.
21. Lee CI, Hong SC, Kim HJ, Kim MD. Prevalence of severe distress and its correlates among Cheju Medical College students. Korean J Med Educ. 2007; 19:235–249.
crossref
22. Han SS, Lee SY, Choi WS, Kim SJ, Park SB, Lee SY. Depression and its influencing factors among Korean medical and engineering students in urban areas using Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Korean J Fam Med. 2009; 30:539–548.
crossref
23. Lee KH, Ko Y, Kang KH, Lee HK, Kang J, Hur Y. Mental health and coping strategies among medical students. Korean J Med Educ. 2012; 24:55–63.
crossref
24. Park JH, Min HY, Kim MD, Yoon BH, Park WM, Bae HE. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and related factors among college students on Jeju Island in Korea. J Korean Soc Depress Bipolar Disord. 2013; 11:144–149.
25. Wong JG, Cheung EP, Chan KK, Ma KK, Tang SW. Web-based survey of depression, anxiety and stress in first-year tertiary education students in Hong Kong. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2006; 40:777–782.
crossref
26. Sidana S, Kishore J, Ghosh V, Gulati D, Jiloha R, Anand T. Prevalence of depression in students of a medical college in New Delhi: a cross-sectional study. Australas Med J. 2012; 5:247–250.
crossref
27. Chen L, Wang L, Qiu XH, Yang XX, Qiao ZX, Yang YJ, et al. Depression among Chinese university students: prevalence and socio-demographic correlates. PLoS One. 2013; 8:e58379.
crossref
28. Xu Y, Chi X, Chen S, Qi J, Zhang P, Yang Y. Prevalence and correlates of depression among college nursing students in China. Nurse Educ Today. 2014; 34:e7–e12.
crossref
29. Bostanci M, Ozdel O, Oguzhanoglu NK, Ozdel L, Ergin A, Ergin N, et al. Depressive symptomatology among university students in Denizli, Turkey: prevalence and sociodemographic correlates. Croat Med J. 2005; 46:96–100.
30. Bayram N, Bilgel N. The prevalence and socio-demographic correlations of depression, anxiety and stress among a group of university students. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2008; 43:667–672.
crossref
31. Arslan G, Ayranci U, Unsal A, Arslantas D. Prevalence of depression, its correlates among students, and its effect on health-related quality of life in a Turkish university. Ups J Med Sci. 2009; 114:170–177.
crossref
32. Givens JL, Tjia J. Depressed medical students' use of mental health services and barriers to use. Acad Med. 2002; 77:918–921.
crossref
33. Herman S, Archambeau OG, Deliramich AN, Kim BS, Chiu PH, Frueh BC. Depressive symptoms and mental health treatment in an ethnoracially diverse college student sample. J Am Coll Health. 2011; 59:715–720.
crossref
34. Andrews B, Wilding JM. The relation of depression and anxiety to life-stress and achievement in students. Br J Psychol. 2004; 95(Pt 4):509–521.
crossref
35. Vázquez FL, Blanco V. Symptoms of depression and related factors among Spanish university students. Psychol Rep. 2006; 99:583–590.
crossref
36. Lee CK, Kwak YS, Yamamoto J, Rhee H, Kim YS, Han JH, et al. Psychiatric epidemiology in Korea. Part I: gender and age differences in Seoul. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1990; 178:242–246.
37. Cho MJ, Chang SM, Hahm BJ, Chung IW, Bae A, Lee YM, et al. Prevalence and correlates of major mental disorders among Korean adults: a 2006 National Epidemiologic Survey. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 2009; 48:143–152.
38. Kim JW, Han DH, Lee YS, Min KJ, Park JY, Lee K. The effect of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, temperament, and character on life satisfaction in college students. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 2013; 52:150–156.
crossref
39. Park HS, Kwon BS. Satisfaction with life and its predictors of college students. J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2006; 15:48–56.
40. Diener E, Sur EM, Smith H, Shao L. National differences in reported subjective well-being: why do they occur? Soc Indic Res. 1995; 34:7–32.
crossref
41. Park SY. Self-construal and subjective well-being: with a focus on male and female college students in two regions. Korean J Youth Stud. 2005; 12:71–92.
42. Papakostas GI, Petersen T, Mahal Y, Mischoulon D, Nierenberg AA, Fava M. Quality of life assessments in major depressive disorder: a review of the literature. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2004; 26:13–17.
crossref
43. Jeon SH, Kim SH, Lhm HK, Kim JH, Jung HS, Park JC, et al. Life satisfaction and related factors among university students: focusing on stress. Mood Emot. 2015; 13:73–81.
44. Pyen BK, Kang SK. A study of adolescents' self-esteem and hostility. Korean J Youth Stud. 2002; 9:269–291.
45. Kim TH, Kim JH. The effects of hope and meaning of life on adolescents' resilience. Korean J Couns Psychother. 2004; 16:465–496.
46. Billings AG, Cronkite RC, Moos RH. Social-environmental factors in unipolar depression: comparisons of depressed patients and nondepressed controls. J Abnorm Psychol. 1983; 92:119–133.
crossref
47. Tennant C, Bebbington P, Hurry J. The role of life events in depressive illness: is there a substantial causal relation? Psychol Med. 1981; 11:379–389.
crossref
48. Fergus S, Zimmerman MA. Adolescent resilience: a framework for understanding healthy development in the face of risk. Annu Rev Public Health. 2005; 26:399–419.
crossref
49. Park CM, Seo KR, Rhee MK. Relationship among dysfunctional attitudes, stress coping strategies and depressive symptoms in psychiatric patients. Korean J Psychosom Med. 1997; 5:31–42.
50. Folkman S, Lazarus RS, Dunkel-Schetter C, DeLongis A, Gruen RJ. Dynamics of a stressful encounter: cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1986; 50:992–1003.
crossref
51. Holahan CJ, Moos RH. Personality, coping, and family resources in stress resistance: a longitudinal analysis. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1986; 51:389–395.
crossref
52. Hayes SC, Wilson KG, Gifford EV, Follette VM, Strosahl K. Experimental avoidance and behavioral disorders: a functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1996; 64:1152–1168.
crossref
53. Kuiper NA, Olinger LJ. Dysfunctional attitudes and a self-worth contingency model of depression. In : Kendall PC, editor. Advances in cognitive-behavioral research and therapy. New York: Academic Press;1986. p. 115–142.
54. Hwang CH. Analysis of stress for a college students. J Korea Aging Friendly Ind Assoc. 2012; 4:73–82.
55. Cho MK, Choi EJ, Lee JW, Lee YN, Chae JY. Correlation in appearance, job-seeking stress and job-seeking anxiety in undergraduates according to gender difference. Perspect Nurs Sci. 2013; 10:141–150.
56. Lee SH, Kim SJ. The degree of perceived stress, depression and self esteem of university students. J Korean Public Health Nurs. 2012; 26:453–464.
crossref
57. Roh MS, Jeon HJ, Lee HW, Lee HJ, Han SK, Hahm BJ. Depressive disorders among the college students: prevalence, risk factors, suicidal behaviors and dysfunctions. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 2006; 45:432–437.
58. Roh MS, Jeon HJ, Kim H, Han SK, Hahm BJ. The prevalence and impact of depression among medical students: a nationwide cross-sectional study in South Korea. Acad Med. 2010; 85:1384–1390.
crossref
59. Nolen-Hoeksema S. Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes. J Abnorm Psychol. 1991; 100:569–582.
crossref
60. Weissman MM, Klerman GL. Gender and depression. Trends Neurosci. 1985; 8:416–420.
crossref
61. Cho MJ, Nam JJ, Suh GH. Prevalence of symptoms of depression in a nationwide sample of Korean adults. Psychiatry Res. 1998; 81:341–352.
crossref
62. Kendler KS, Myers J, Prescott CA. Sex differences in the relationship between social support and risk for major depression: a longitudinal study of opposite-sex twin pairs. Am J Psychiatry. 2005; 162:250–256.
crossref
63. Westefeld JS, Homaifar B, Spotts J, Furr S, Range L, Werth JL Jr. Perceptions concerning college student suicide: data from four universities. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2005; 35:640–645.
crossref
64. Meehan PJ, Lamb JA, Saltzman LE, O'Carroll PW. Attempted suicide among young adults: progress toward a meaningful estimate of prevalence. Am J Psychiatry. 1992; 149:41–44.
crossref
TOOLS
Similar articles