Prevalence and Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms among University Students : From the Honam District, Korea

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