Psychological interventions for depression in Chinese university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Qi stagnation and qi deficiency are associated with depression in college students

Objective

The current study aims to investigate the correlations between qi stagnation, qi deficiency, and depression levels among college students.

Method

This study investigated 403 college students and measured their levels of depression, qi stagnation, and qi deficiency to analyze the relationship between these three variables. Pearson correlation and linear regression statistical techniques were utilized.

Results

(1) On average, college students reported mild depressive symptoms; (2) college students manifested low levels of qi stagnation and qi deficiency. (3) There exists a strong positive correlation between qi stagnation and qi deficiency; (4) a moderate positive correlation is present between depression and both qi stagnation and qi deficiency among college students. All these results support the mechanism by which qi stagnation and qi deficiency contribute to depression in traditional Chinese medicine theory.

Conclusion

Qi stagnation and qi deficiency are moderately associated with depression levels in college students. It is feasible to use traditional Chinese physical therapy for qi regulation to alleviate depressive symptoms among college students.

The Relationship Between Stressful Life Events and Depressive Symptoms in College Students: mediation by Parenting Style and Gender's Moderating Effect

Aim

Stressful life events have a significant impact on the mental health of college students. Depression, as a prevalent psychological issue, has garnered attention in the field of college student mental health and is closely linked to it. Additionally, parenting style is identified as an important factor influencing the development of college students' mental health. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between these three factors.

Methods

A total of 8079 first-year college students from two medical universities in Shandong Province, China were surveyed. The Beck Depression Inventory was utilized to evaluate depressive symptoms among the college students, while the Adolescent Self-rating Life Events Checklist and the Egna Minnen Beträfande Uppfostran were employed to gather data. Subsequently, the SPSS macro program PROCESS was utilized to analyze both the mediating and moderating effects. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0.

Results

The study found a detection rate of 6.3% for depressive symptoms among college students. The correlation analysis of this study showed that the stressful life events of college students were significantly positively correlated with depressive symptoms (r=0.261, p< 0.01). Each dimension of parenting style was associated with depressive symptoms in different degrees and directions. At the same time, parenting styles of all sizes play a partial mediating role between stressful life events and depressive symptoms in college students, gender plays a crucial regulatory role in this mediation.

Conclusion

Stressful life events experienced by college students have a significant impact on their mental health. Early intervention through positive parenting styles from parents may prove to be beneficial in promoting the development of good mental health among college students.

A prospective study of sleep status, anxiety, and depression levels of college students at a university in Shandong Province, China

Objective

To investigate the changes in sleep conditions, anxiety, and depression levels among college students before and after entering the university.

Methods

Utilizing a random sampling method, 692 new students from a college in Shandong province were selected in September 2019, and relevant indices were statistically analyzed in September 2021 following a comprehensive follow-up. Sleep status, anxiety, and depression levels were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively.

Results

Gender, passive smoking, exercise, intake of fruits, and intake of seafood were identified as significant influencing factors on college students' sleep status, anxiety, and depression levels (p < 0.05). A substantial difference was observed in the sleep quality of college students between the early enrollment stage and the follow-up stage (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between PSQI scores and the levels of anxiety and depression (p < 0.05), cumulatively explaining approximately 10% of the variance in anxiety and depression levels.

Conclusion

The sleep quality of college students exhibited significant improvement after enrollment compared to the early enrollment period. Engaging in appropriate exercise and consuming fruits and seafood demonstrated a positive impact on sleep conditions, anxiety, and depression levels. These findings underscore the importance of fostering healthy lifestyle habits for promoting overall well-being among college students.

Factors that influence Asian American college students use of mental health services: A systematic mixed studies review

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Only 8.6% Asian Americans (AAs) report seeking mental health services compared to nearly 18% of the general population. There is a stigma against seeking mental health services among AAs. Mental illness is thought to be caused by a lack of harmony of emotions or evil spirits leading to delay in treatment among AAs. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Asian students are hesitant to use mental health services because they are balancing their desire to be part of the two cultures. Concepts used to define culture were found to have overlapping aspects of how researchers operationally define them, and few studies examined a combination of these concepts as a means of examining interactions between the concepts. AA emerging adults feel pressure through personal stigma from elders to 'save face' by keeping their problems to themselves or within the family to maintain a positive reputation for the family. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: The overlap of conceptual definitions to understand cultural beliefs and values affecting measurement have complicated the interpretation of the research. Future research should include a multidimensional operationalization of culture that includes acculturation, ethnic identity, personal stigma and their effect on mental health help-seeking attitudes. Differences between South Asian and East Asian philosophical and cultural perspectives could influence access to mental health services; therefore, future studies should consider sampling that would allow for comparison of the groups. Understanding the factors that influence mental health help-seeking behaviours can determine intervention strategies to improve AA emerging adult mental health.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Only 8.6% of Asian Americans (AA) sought mental health services compared to 18% of United States population. AA college students report higher levels of mental health concerns compared to White students.

AIM

The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the factors that influence AA students' mental health help-seeking behaviours.

METHOD

Employing a data-based convergent synthesis design. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of the sample. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed studies published in English, focused on AA college students' mental health seeking attitudes in United States.

RESULTS

The final sample was forty-four studies. Four themes emerged: acculturation, ethnic identity, racism and stigma. There were discrepant findings regarding how acculturation affects mental health help-seeking attitudes. Several studies included more than one theme in their analyses. The different concepts included across studies make it difficult to compare the findings.

DISCUSSION

There is some overlap between acculturation and ethnic identity that could affect the analysis in studies where both concepts are included. Personal stigma negatively influences mental health help-seeking attitudes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Defining culture to include acculturation, ethnic identity, personal stigma can help in understanding their effect on mental health help-seeking attitudes.

Preventive Effects of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in First-Year University Students at Risk for Depression: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial

High scores on Harm Avoidance (HA) on Cloniger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) have been identified as a risk factor for depression. Group cognitive-behavioral therapy (GCBT) has been found effective in preventing depression and improving depressive symptoms among university students. However, no randomized controlled trials of GCBT have been conducted with university students with high HA. Although we initiated a randomized controlled trial in this study, some participants submitted incomplete questionnaires at baseline interfering with assured randomization; therefore, we report this study as a non-randomized controlled trial. We evaluated whether a GCBT intervention would be effective at reducing HA and, thereby, preventing depression in university students with high HA. We performed final analysis of data on 59 participants in the intervention group and 60 in a control group. We used scores on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) as the primary outcome measure and analysis of covariance to assess group differences on mean BDI-II change scores before the intervention and at six months and one year after the intervention. The intervention group had lower BDI-II scores than the control group at six months after the intervention. GCBT may have facilitated cognitive modification in individuals with high HA, or GCBT may have fostered mutual modeling by group participants. Thus, GCBT may contribute to reducing depressive symptoms in university students with high HA, and associated risk for developing depression.

Personality traits as mediators in the association between SIRT1 rs12415800 polymorphism and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students

Background

Previous research has linked polymorphisms in the SIRT1 gene to depressive symptoms, particularly in Chinese individuals. However, it is not clear how personality traits may contribute to this association.

Methods

To explore the potential mediating effect of personality traits, we utilized a mediation model to examine the relationship between the SIRT1 rs12415800 polymorphism and depressive symptoms in 787 Chinese college students. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, while personality traits were measured using the Big Five Inventory (BFI).

Results

Our analysis indicated a significant association between the SIRT1 rs12415800 polymorphism and depressive symptoms, with this relationship partially mediated by the personality traits of neuroticism and conscientiousness. Specifically, individuals who were heterozygous for the rs12415800 polymorphism and had higher levels of conscientiousness were less likely to experience depressive symptoms. Conversely, those who were homozygous for the rs12415800 polymorphism and had higher levels of neuroticism were more likely to experience depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that personality traits, particularly neuroticism and conscientiousness, may play a critical role in the association between the SIRT1 rs12415800 polymorphism and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. These findings highlight the importance of considering both genetic factors and personality traits when exploring the etiology of depressive symptoms in this population.

Labor market participation and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among young adults (18 to 30 years): A nationally representative study in France

Objective

To examine the relationship between young adults' labor force participation and depression in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design setting participants

Data come from the nationally-representative EPICOV cohort study set up in France, and were collected in 2020 and 2021 (3 waves of online or telephone interviews: 02/05/2020-12/06/2020; 26/10/2020-14/12/2020; 24/06/2021-09/08/2021) among 2,217 participants aged 18-30 years. Participants with prior mental health disorder (n = 50) were excluded from the statistical analyses.

Results

Using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models controlled for participants' socio-demographic and health characteristics and weighted to be nationally-representative, we found that compared to young adults who were employed, those who were studying or unemployed were significantly more likely to experience depression assessed using the PHQ-9 (multivariable ORs, respectively: OR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.60 and OR: 1.50, 1.13-1.99). Stratifying the analyses by age, we observed that unemployment was more strongly associated with depression among participants 25-30 years than among those who were 18-24 years (multivariable ORs, respectively, 1.78, 95% CI 1.17-2.71 and 1.41, 95% CI 0.96-2.09). Being out of the labor force was, to the contrary, more significantly associated with depression among participants 18-24 years (multivariable OR: 1.71, 95% CI 1.04-2.82, vs. 1.00, 95% CI 0.53-1.87 among participants 25-30 years). Stratifying the analyses by sex, we found no significant differences in the relationships between labor market characteristics and depression (compared to participants who were employed, multivariable ORs associated with being a student: men: 1.33, 95% CI 1.01-1.76; women: 1.19, 95% CI 0.85-1.67, multivariable ORs associated with being unemployed: men: 1.60, 95% CI 1.04-2.45; women: 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.15).

Conclusions and relevance

Our study shows that in addition to students, young adults who are unemployed also experience elevated levels of depression in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These two groups should be the focus of specific attention in terms of prevention and mental health treatment. Supporting employment could also be a propitious way of reducing the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young adults.

Responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency: The usefulness of an online brief psychological intervention with Italian university students

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about new stressors on university students, with a negative impact on their mental health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of a brief psychodynamically oriented intervention on general functioning by investigating changes in symptoms of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and burnout. The sample was comprised of 67 university students (22.4% males), with a mean age of 23.27 (standard deviation (SD) = 3.27), who asked for psychological help at a psychological university service. Pre- and posttreatment data showed a significant improvement in general functioning and symptom reduction due to the psychological intervention. The mean change was very high for depression (d = 1.11) and high for general functioning (d = 0.70) and anxiety (d = 0.69). Our findings showed the importance of considering university students a vulnerable population that requires specific services within the university context and underlined the fact that mental-health-promotion policies should be extensively implemented.

Negative life events increase the risk of suicidal ideation in 6653 Chinese freshmen: From a 1-year longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Suicide is one of the leading causes of juvenile death. Suicidal ideation (SI) is a strong predictor of suicide, while negative life events are associated with SI in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of negative life events on SI in a sample of Chinese freshmen.

METHODS

The current study employed a cluster sampling method with 7118 freshmen at baseline and 6653 at follow-up. Negative life events were assessed by using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check List (ASLEC), and SI was assessed by a separate question for self-report. The PHQ-9 was used to measure depression at baseline.

RESULTS

The incidence of suicidal ideation was 1.52% (95% CI: 1.22%-1.81%). Two dimensions of negative life events, interpersonal relationship and others were risk factors for SI, while female students were more susceptible to them. Consistently, interpersonal relationship and others were risk factors for SI in participants without depression and with mild depression. However, health & adaptation was found to be the only dimension of negative life events contributing to the risk of SI in participants with moderate, severe and extremely severe depression.

LIMITATIONS

There may be recall bias in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative life events increase the risk of SI in college students. Female students are more susceptible to negative life events. The effect of different dimensions of negative life events on SI varies in participants with and without depression.

Association between Mental Health Knowledge Level and Depressive Symptoms among Chinese College Students

This study aimed to explore the association between mental health knowledge level and the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in six universities in Jinan, Shandong Province, China, and a total of 600 college students were recruited to self-complete a series of questionnaires. The Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (MHKQ) was used to investigate the level of mental health knowledge. Depressive symptoms were investigated with the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). The prevalence rate of depressive symptoms among college students was 31.2%. Compared with MHKQ scoring in the 1st quartile, college students with MHKQ scoring in the 3rd quartile and in the 4th quartile reported lower levels of depressive symptoms after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Since mental health knowledge level was related to depressive symptoms among college students, increased efforts to promote the level of mental health knowledge in Chinese college students are critical.

Only Children Were Associated with Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms among College Students in China

This study explored the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among college students and analyzed the associations between only children and anxiety and depressive symptoms in college students in China. A total of 645 college students, from three universities in Jinan, Shandong, China, were investigated by questionnaire. The self-designed general information questionnaire was used to collect the demographic information such as gender, age, only children or not and so on. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale were used to reflect the psychological state of college students. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms. We have found that there were 25.7% college students with anxiety symptom, 22.2% college students with depressive symptom, and 18.3% college students with a comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The prevalence of anxiety symptom, depressive symptom, and comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms in only children was higher than those among non-only children. There were no differences between males and females in anxiety symptom, depressive symptom, and comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms among all college students, only child college students and non-only child college students. Only children were associated with anxiety symptom, depressive symptom, comorbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms after adjusting potential important confounding factors, such as professional category, grade, parental relationship, parenting style, interpersonal relationship, activity participation enthusiasm, sleeping time, and eating habits. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among college students was high. We should pay more attention to the mental health of college students, especially that of only child college students.