A systematic review of studies of depression prevalence in university students

Association between grit and depressive symptoms among medical students, moderated by academic performance

Depression amongst medical students is a crucial matter. Grit, which is a potentially modifiable psychological factor, has been inversely linked to depressive symptoms. However, it remains unclear how grit is associated with depression. This study aims to examine the relationship between grit and depressive symptoms and to further investigate the potential effect modification by academic performance on the association between grit and depression among medical students. We focus on the total grit score and its subscales, namely perseverance of effort and consistency of interest. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from second-year medical students at Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Japan from 2020 to 2023. The participants responded to questionnaire surveys comprising the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Short Grit Scale. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between grit and depressive symptoms. We also tested for effect modification by first-year Grade Point Average (GPA) on the association between grit and depression. The total grit score and its subscales, perseverance of effort and consistency of interest, were all inversely associated with depressive symptoms (b =  -4.7 [95%CI - 6.7 to - 2.6], b =  -3.7 [95%CI - 5.3 to - 2.1], b =  -1.8 [95%CI - 3.5 to - 0.2], respectively). While the interaction term for the total grit score and GPA was not significant, the interaction term for perseverance of effort and GPA was significant, indicating that the association between perseverance of effort and depression was stronger among the higher-achieving students. The interaction term for consistency of interest and GPA was also significant, indicating that the association was stronger among the lower-achieving students. We reveal a novel aspect of the association between grit and depressive symptoms in light of academic performance. The findings will contribute to future research on depression amongst medical students.

Beyond the first week: sustaining the feeling of social inclusion and sense of belonging for students

PURPOSE

Promoting inclusive student communities and a sense of belonging is essential for university students' well-being and mental health. Our aim in this study was to explore how universities can enhance student well-being by facilitating interactions that contribute to a sense of belonging within the university environment.

METHODS

Through thematic analysis of 309 written narratives collected from students at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), we explored significant events related to their studies, social lives, or personal experiences.

RESULTS

Introduction Week is important for students' well-being, providing a key opportunity to form initial social connections and foster a sense of belonging. However, its impact is inconsistent, and building lasting relationships requires continued effort throughout the academic journey. Recognizing and addressing potential challenges when expectations are unmet is essential for enhancing student belonging.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that while Introduction Week plays an essential role in breaking social barriers and ensuring immediate social inclusion, the greatest challenge lies in establishing structures that facilitate belonging and relationships throughout the entire period of studies. Recognizing the diverse needs of students, universities should offer a variety of platforms for engagement and connection to enhance student well-being.

Psychometric properties of the Child Anxiety and Depression Life Interference Scale - Young Adult version

OBJECTIVES

A life interference measure specifically designed for young adults with anxiety and depressive symptoms does not currently exist. This paper describes the development and psychometric evaluation of a brief self-report measure of life interference associated with young adult anxiety and depression, the Child Anxiety and Depression Life Interference Scale - Young Adult version (CADLIS-YA).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, correlational and exploratory factor analysis (EFA).

METHODS

Five-hundred and thirty-two participants aged 18-24 years recruited from an undergraduate and community sample completed the CADLIS-YA.

RESULTS

An EFA supported a three-factor model describing the impact of young adult anxiety and depression on social life, family and daily life interference. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were good to excellent. Convergent validity was demonstrated, and the scale differentiated between young adults with and without elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms. Support for divergent validity was limited.

CONCLUSIONS

The CADLIS-YA is a reliable and valid life interference measure for young adults with symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is potentially suitable for administration in low-resource research settings and it has promise for use in clinical settings; however, it needs validation in a clinical sample.

Probability, cost, and interpretation biases' relationships with depressive and anxious symptom severity: differential mediation by worry and repetitive negative thinking

People high in depressive or anxious symptom severity show repetitive negative thinking, including worry and rumination. They also show various cognitive phenomena, including probability, cost, and interpretation biases. Since there is conceptual overlap between these cognitive biases and repetitive negative thinking - all involve thinking about potential threats and misfortunes - we wondered whether repetitive negative thinking could account for (mediate) these cognitive biases' associations with depressive and anxious symptom severity. In three studies, conducted in two languages and cultures, cost bias and (in two studies) interpretation bias only predicted symptom severity via worry and repetitive negative thinking; this suggests these biases are actually associated with repetitive negative thinking, rather than with symptoms. In contrast, probability bias showed direct relationships with depressive (all studies) and anxious (two studies) symptom severity, suggesting its relationships with symptoms are partly independent of repetitive negative thinking. These results show the value of studying relationships among the various cognitive features of psychopathology. Furthermore, new interventions which target cognitive biases in depression or anxiety must show that they can improve upon cognitive behavioural therapy, which is already widely available, targets both repetitive negative thinking and probability bias, and is highly effective.

Prevalence, severity, and predictors of self-reported depression in ultra-distance runners: An online survey based on 265 athletes

BACKGROUND

Literature suggests a high prevalence of mental health disorders among athletes practicing elite and extreme sports. One of the most commonly encountered disorders in this group of individuals is depression.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of symptoms of self-reported depression among ultra-distance runners.

METHODS

Data was collected using an online survey (February to April 2023) and included 265 (age 48.35 ± 10.52 years) adult ultra-runners. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to measure self-reported depression. Additional variables comprised basic sociodemographic information and information regarding training, ultramarathon experience, and previous injury. Descriptive and interferential statistics were performed using JASP Version 0.16.4.

RESULTS

We found that 21.9 % (n = 58) of ultra-runners suffered from self-reported depression (i.e., BDI-II score ≥ 14) with an average BDI-II score of 22.7 ± 7.1 (moderately severe symptoms). Female ultra-runners had a higher prevalence (30.8 %) of self-reported depression than males (16.2 %, p = .001). Logistic regression revealed that ultra-runners without previous sports injury (p = .01) and those of increasing age (p = .003) had a significantly lower risk of self-reported depression. Similarly, linear regression showed the absence of injury (p < .001) and increasing age (p = .02) resulted in significantly lower BDI-II scores. Training volume in distance and hours per week as well as ultra-running experience did not show any significant association.

CONCLUSIONS

Affecting more than one-fifth of our collective, depressive symptoms appear to be highly prevalent among ultra-runners. Our findings underline the importance of screening for clinical depression, especially among injured athletes. However, the previously assumed peculiarities of the sport in the area of high training volume do not appear to be a significant factor.

Using Network Analysis to Subgroup Risk Factors for Depressive Symptoms in College Students

Purpose

Network modeling has been suggested as an effective method to explore intricate relationships among antecedents, mediators, and symptoms. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the severity of depressive symptoms in college students affects the multivariate relationships among anhedonia, smartphone addiction, and mediating factors.

Methods

A survey was conducted among 1347 Chinese college students (587 female) to assess depressive symptoms, anhedonia, addictive behaviors, anxiety, and insomnia. The participants were categorized the non-depressive symptom (NDS) and depressive symptom (DS) groups based on a cut-off score of 5 on the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Network analysis was performed to investigate the symptom-to-symptom influences of symptoms in these two groups.

Results

The network of the DS group was more densely connected than that of the NDS group. Social anticipatory anhedonia was a central factor for DS, while withdraw/escape (one factor of smartphone addiction) was a central factor for NDS. The DS group exhibited greater strength between the PHQ9 score and social anticipatory anhedonia, as well as between the PHQ9 score and alcohol misuse score, compared to the NDS group. On the other hand, the NDS group had higher strength between anxiety and feeling lost, as well as between anxiety and withdraw/escape, compared to the DS group.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that there is a close relationship between social anhedonia, smartphone addiction, and alcohol consumption in the DS group. Addressing on ameliorating social anhedonia and smartphone addiction may be effective in preventing and managing depression in college students.

Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms Among Students in Croatia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased fear of infection, social isolation, financial concerns, and feelings of loneliness and uncertainty. Studies reveal that the pandemic has had a significant negative impact on mental health. This systematic review aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among students in Croatia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed on August 5, 2024, using the electronic databases Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. The search utilized the Boolean logical operator expression ('depression' AND 'anxiety' AND 'stress' AND 'COVID-19' AND 'Croatia' AND 'student'). Results: Out of one hundred and fifty-four identified studies, five met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The studies used the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to assess mental health. The results indicate a high prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among students in Croatia during the pandemic. Conclusion: A high prevalence of negative affective emotions was observed among students in Croatia during the pandemic. This finding underscores the importance of developing effective strategies for the early identification and management of mental disorders among students, irrespective of the pandemic's conclusion.

The association of diet quality with the mental health of students during their transition to university

University students are at risk of experiencing mental health and diet quality problems during their transition to university. This study aimed to examine the bidirectional associations between the diet quality and mental health of students during their transition to universities in the UK, and the impact of the transition on diet quality and mental health. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and took place during the first semester of year 2021-2022. Participants were first year undergraduate students at four UK universities, living at student halls. They were invited to participate by completing online surveys, including a diet quality instrument (Short Form Food Frequency Questionnaire), a mental health instrument (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) and a quality of transition instrument (College Adjustment Questionnaire). Results showed that a healthy diet was associated with good mental health (b = -3.46, 95% CI [-6.14, -.78]). Unfavourable mental health was associated with having an unhealthy diet (b = -.01, 95% CI [-.02, -.00]). Transition did not moderate the relationship between diet quality and mental health of students, or vice versa (ps> .05). Preliminary analyses showed a significant direct effect of good quality of transition to university on good mental health (b = -1.51, 95% CI [-1.88, -1.13]), but did not have an indirect effect via diet quality; there were no significant direct or indirect effects on diet quality, however larger studies are needed to replicate these preliminary analyses. Our current findings can inform university policies and health education research, and further research is needed to determine whether interventions to improve diet quality at the university level could reduce mental health issues, and whether interventions to support students under stress may lead to healthier dietary habits. Cross-sectional studies cannot determine the directionality of effects, hence longitudinal studies are required to enhance our understanding of the relationships between diet quality and mental health over time.

Semantic inhibition impairment in college students with depressive states as evidenced by EEG and pupillometry during the hayling task

In this study we tested whether depression is associated with impaired semantic inhibition, resulting in symptoms of rumination and anhedonia. For this purpose and using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) college students with depressive states (DEP) and matched controls (CTL) performed a Hayling's task, while EEG and pupillometry measures were recorded. Participants were asked to complete sentential contexts with either a highly associated word (initiation) or a non-related word (inhibition), in response to randomly presented trial-by-trial cues. The DEP group, compared to the CTL group, showed lower performance, and reduced frontal negativity (N450) in inhibition trials. Source analyses revealed greater activation for inhibition trials than for initiation trials in bilateral orbitofrontal cortex for the CTL group, but the difference was reduced and more left lateralized for the DEP group. In addition, the DEP group showed more pupil size reactivity to inhibition trials than the CTL group, indicating higher cognitive effort during semantic inhibition. Finally, self-reported rumination and anhedonia correlated with N450 in inhibition trials, and rumination correlated with pupil dilation. Overall, this research contributes to understanding the neural underpinnings of impaired semantic inhibition in individuals with depression, with potential clinical applications.

Depressive symptoms and goal pursuit: Between-person and reciprocal within-person effects in a multi-wave longitudinal study

INTRODUCTION

Depressive symptoms, goal progress, and goal characteristics are interrelated, but the directionality of these relationships is unclear.

METHODS

In a 6-wave longitudinal study (N = 431; 2002 total surveys), we examine the bidirectionality of the relationships between depressive symptoms, goal characteristics (commitment, self-efficacy, and perception of other's support), and goal progress for academic and interpersonal goals at 2-week intervals. Separate random-intercept cross-lagged panel models were tested for each goal characteristic across both goals.

RESULTS

At the within-person level, goal progress significantly positively predicted commitment, self-efficacy, and perception of others' support for the goal. Most of the other hypothesized paths were nonsignificant, including paths between depressive symptoms and progress. At the between-person level, all variables were significantly correlated, with some effects significantly larger for the interpersonal than the academic goal.

DISCUSSION

The results suggest that when it comes to depressive symptoms and goal pursuit, general tendencies may be more important than variations over 2-week intervals.

Investigating the feasibility of MePlusMe, an online intervention to support mental health, well-being, and study skills in higher education students

INTRODUCTION

While there are several web-based mental health interventions, few target higher education (HE) students. Importantly, more research is needed to establish their effectiveness. Here, we provide a pragmatic evaluation of an online intervention (MePlusMe) specifically designed to improve the mental health, well-being, and study skills of HE students.

METHODS

In accordance with the published protocol for a feasibility study, we recruited a convenience sample of 137 HE students to participate in an eight-week intervention, with 26 participants retained at week 8. Validated measures of mood (depression and anxiety), well-being, and self-efficacy were collected at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, alongside two feedback forms assessing design and functionality (baseline) and engagement (week 4 and 8).

RESULTS

We observed significant reductions in levels of anxiety and depression as well as increases in well-being, but no changes in self-efficacy. Participants rated the system design and functionality positively and qualitative findings indicated high levels of satisfaction with MePlusMe.

DISCUSSION

Findings support both the acceptability and the effectiveness of MePlusMe. Nonetheless, modest retention rates limit the precision and generalisability of these findings. Further investigation should ascertain optimal duration of engagement, most acceptable means of outcome assessment, and further detail about obstacles to utilisation.

The Role of Sleep Effort as a Mediator Between Anxiety and Depression

Depression, anxiety, and insomnia are all conditions that share a complex bidirectional relationship. Sleep effort is a construct with cognitive and behavioral components that perpetuates insomnia. Although many studies have examined the associations between these three variables, no studies have yet examined sleep effort as a mediating variable between anxiety and depression and vice versa. Online versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale were administered to a sample of 1927 higher education students aged 18-40 years (75.9% women and 76% from 18 to 23 years old). As part of the survey, participants also completed a sociodemographic questionnaire. Mediation analysis indicated that sleep effort mediates the relationship between depression and anxiety, when the former was the predictor and the latter was the criterion. Moreover, sleep effort also mediated the relationship between anxiety and depression when the former was the predictor and the latter was the criterion, albeit in a lesser extent. Sleep effort appears to play a bidirectional mediational role between depression and anxiety, being a potential target for intervention.

Moderating effect of coping flexibility over waiting patiently as a coping strategy for interpersonal stressors and depressive symptoms

Objective: The present study examined the moderating effect of coping flexibility on the association between the coping waiting patiently for interpersonal stressors and depression. Coping flexibility refers to devising and implementing suitable coping strategies according to the situation, coping was defined in this study as holding oneself back and not acting prematurely to address a stressful relationship. Participants: A total of 481 Japanese college students. Methods: Participants completed questionnaires to measure coping, coping flexibility, perceived stress, and depression using a longitudinal design. Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that an interaction between coping and coping flexibility was associated with depression. This result indicated that higher levels of coping was associated with lower depression 16 weeks later when coping flexibility was higher, but the association was not observed when coping flexibility was lower. Conclusions: Our findings contribute to elucidating the condition or process whereby the strategy of waiting patiently as a coping mechanism for interpersonal stressor reduces depression.

The relationship between work-family conflict and job burnout among primary and secondary school teachers: the role of depression and cognitive reappraisal

Background

Primary and secondary school teachers are a high-risk group for job burnout, and how to alleviate their job burnout has become an increasingly urgent issue. Previous studies have paid less attention to the differential effects of the bidirectional interaction between work and family on the job burnout of the teachers. This study aim to explore the different impact of work-family conflict and family-work conflict on job burnout among primary and secondary school teachers, as well as its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

This study selected 2,184 primary and secondary school teachers in China (Mage = 37.26; SD = 9.40) as participants using a random sampling method. Using the SPSS Process 4.0 macro plugin constructed a moderated mediation model, the study explored the relationships between two different forms of work-family conflict, depression, cognitive reappraisal, and job burnout.

Results

The study results indicated that both forms of work-family conflict were significantly positively related to the job burnout, and this relationship was influenced by the mediating role of depression. Furthermore, cognitive reappraisal moderated the relationship between depression and job burnout.

Conclusion

This study revealed the potential pathways influencing job burnout among primary and secondary school teachers in the Chinese cultural context. Focusing on and alleviating work-family conflicts for primary and secondary school teachers is crucial for mitigating their occupational burnout. Additionally, teachers should also carefully and reasonably use cognitive reappraisal as an emotional regulation strategy to adjust the impact of depression on occupational burnout.

The prevalence of mental health conditions and effectiveness of psychological interventions among university students in Italy: A systematic literature review

The aim of this review was to synthesize extant literature concerning the prevalence of mental health problems among Italian university students seeking psychological help in university counseling services (UCS) and the effectiveness of these interventions. A systematic search was conducted on main scientific databases following the PRISMA guidelines. Using the PICO method, the study included research on college students seeking psychological help through UCS (P), focusing on psychological interventions delivered by UCS (I), examining the prevalence of psychological problems and/or the effect of UCS intervention on symptoms of mental health issues as (primary or secondary) outcome (O). Class comparisons (C) did not apply to this study. Studies excluded consisted of non-peer-reviewed journal articles, qualitative studies, or publications that reported only descriptive or not fully relevant information. The systematic search was conducted on the PsycInfo, PsycArticles, PsycCRITIQUES, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases up to December 17, 2023. The data was organized in a narrative synthesis. Finally, the review was registered on OSF (osf.io/t2y9q). Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Thirty-six studies were found to meet the inclusion criteria for a total of 7,432 participants (5,390 female, 6,625 accessing UCS). Most studies (n = 21) had a pre-post intervention design, followed by cross-sectional (n = 12) and case-control (n = 3) designs. Data from the period between 1983 and 2022 were collected (n = 7 studies focused specifically on the COVID-19 pandemic period), primarily using self-report measures. Students attending UCS exhibited significant psychological distress (63.2-92.7 %), various psychopathological symptoms, and poor psychological functioning, including depressive symptoms (9-30 % up to 48.9 %) and anxiety symptoms (11.2-36 %). Studies (n = 21) testing the effectiveness of counseling intervention showed that treatment was helpful in improving students' mental health, regardless of the approach employed. Limitations in the examined studies' design (e.g., heterogeneity in studies outcomes and measures, small sample size, self-reported data, low methodological quality) should be addressed in future research to obtain a more comprehensive picture on the topic under investigation. The high levels of psychological problems and psychopathological symptoms found in students attending UCS support the need of mental-health promotion activities. Counseling interventions seems to be an effective first-line service for university students experiencing psychological problems.

Screening depression among university students utilizing GHQ-12 and machine learning

The escalating incidence of depression has brought attention to the increasing concern regarding the mental well-being of university students in the current academic environment. Given the increasing mental health challenges faced by students, there is a critical need for efficient, scalable, and accurate screening methods. This study aims to address the issue by using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), a well recognized tool for evaluating psychological discomfort, in combination with machine learning (ML) techniques. Firstly, for effective screening of depression, a comprehensive questionnaire has been created with the help of an expert psychiatrist. The questionnaire includes the GHQ-12, socio-demographic, and job and career-related inquiries. A total of 804 responses has been collected from various public and private universities across Bangladesh. The data has been then analyzed and preprocessed. It has been found that around 60% of the study population are suffering from depression. Lastly, 16 different ML models, including both traditional algorithms and ensemble methods has been applied to examine the data to identify trends and predictors of depression in this demographic. The models' performance has been rigorously evaluated in order to ascertain their effectiveness in precisely identifying individuals who are at risk. Among the ML models, Extremely Randomized Tree (ET) has achieved the highest accuracy of 90.26%, showcasing its classification effectiveness. A thorough investigation of the performance of the models compared, therefore clarifying their possible relevance in the early detection of depression among university students, has been presented in this paper. The findings shed light on the complex interplay among socio-demographic variables, stressors associated with one's profession, and mental well-being, which offer an original viewpoint on utilizing ML in psychological research.

Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among paramedic students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

There are elevated mental health concerns in paramedic students, but estimates vary between studies and countries, and no review has established the overall prevalence. This systematic review addressed this by estimating the global prevalence of common mental health disorders, namely anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in paramedic students internationally.

METHODS

A systematic search of six databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and medRxiv, was conducted to identify studies relating to mental health among paramedicine students. The search encompassed studies from inception until February 2023. To be considered for inclusion in the review, the studies had to report prevalence data on at least one symptom of anxiety, depression, or PTSD in paramedicine students, using quantitative validated scales. The quality of the studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist, which is a specific methodological tool for assessing prevalence studies. Subgroup analyses were not conducted due to insufficient data.

RESULTS

1638 articles were identified from the searches, and 193 full texts were screened, resulting in 13 papers for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The total number of participants was 1064 from 10 countries. The pooled prevalence of moderate PTSD was 17.9% (95% CI 14.8-21.6%), anxiety was 56.4% (95% CI 35,9-75%), and depression was at 34.7% (95% CI 23.4-48.1%).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis has found that paramedicine students globally exhibit a high prevalence of moderate PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The prevalence of these mental health conditions surpasses those among paramedic providers and the general population, as indicated by previous reviews. Further research is therefore warranted to determine appropriate support and interventions for this group.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of depression among university students

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of depression among university students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was carried out across randomly selected universities in Shandong Province from October 25, 2023, to November 8, 2023. Demographic information and KAP scores were assessed through the administration of questionnaires. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.816 and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of 0.894.

RESULTS

This study included 2448 university students, with 1489 (60.8%) females. The median scores for KAP were 20 (Interquartile Range (IQR): 17-21), 26 (IQR: 23-28), and 35 (IQR: 32-38), respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that being a junior (odds ratio [OR] = 0.720, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.538-0.965, p = .028), senior or above (OR = 0.474, 95% CI: 0.325-0.691, p < .001), having divorced parents (OR = 0.618, 95% CI: 0.409-0.933, p = .022), having direct relatives with depression (OR = 0.710, 95% CI: 0.589-0.856, p < .001), and lacking intimate friends (OR = 0.344, 95% CI: 0.245-0.484, p < .001) were negatively associated with practice. Only having an attitude score of ≥26 (OR = 5.076, 95% CI: 4.230-6.091, p < .001) was significantly and positively associated with practice.

CONCLUSION

University students had insufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and passive practice toward depression. Clinical interventions should focus on enhancing the understanding and management of depression among university students, particularly through targeted educational programs and support groups, to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice and foster a proactive approach to mental health care.

Factors Affecting Psychological Well-Being, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Dental Students in Delhi and the National Capital Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Research has shown that mental health issues are prevalent among university students and healthcare professionals. Dental practitioners are particularly at risk due to the demanding nature of their profession. Our study aims to survey dental students and faculty to assess their psychological well-being and identify key stressors and potential interventions. Methodology A cross-sectional study examined the psychological well-being, depression, anxiety, and stress of undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) dental students and faculty from the School of Dental Sciences. A questionnaire was distributed via email and WhatsApp to 350 participants. The questionnaire contained a unique set of items for each study group related to factors affecting psychological well-being among students, and a separate questionnaire was used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21) in the same population. Results A cross-sectional study of 350 dental students and educators found no significant changes in depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS) levels between age groups. Females, however, reported greater levels of these difficulties than men (D=71.5%, A=71.9%, S=76.7% for females vs. D=28.5%, A=28.1%, S=23.3% for men, with p-values for D=0.014, A=0.001, and S=0.031). Overall, 67.3% of UG students study away from home and live in hostels or flats, with academic and financial demands (30.6% and 33.5%, p-values: 0.014 and 0.098, respectively). Many people find their workload unpleasant (40.8%, p-value=0.143) and feel overwhelmed by academic obligations (47.9%, p-value=0.002), with 20%-25% worried about examinations, failure, and balancing well-being with academics (p-values: 0.001, 0.006, and 0.002, respectively). In total, 57.1% suffer severe social isolation (p-value=0.045), and more than 40% have mental health issues (p=0.003). While the mentor-mentee program is rated as helpful (p-value=0.68), 35% of students are ignorant of mental health options (p-value=0.006). Financial concerns are a big worry, with 38.7% seeking assistance, and second- and third-year students suffer more challenges than first-year students. Overall, 41.2% of instructors are perceived as extremely accessible, whereas 34.3% and 31.4% feel that scheduled breaks are required due to stress (38.2%, p=0.053). Most instructors (51.4%) encourage counseling and interact with students (76.5%), while 77.1% discuss mental health. Among the PGs, 74.2% of participants are content with the college's amenities, but 90.3% are stressed because of the PG seat departing bond, demonstrating widespread concern over this issue. To cope, 22.6% seek help from loved ones, while 19.4% pursue hobbies, emphasizing the value of personal support networks and leisure activities. Conclusion The study found that females perceive more stress than males. Most UG students live with supportive families and only experience academic helplessness on rare occasions. First-year students find academic effort more demanding than their peers at higher educational levels. Overall academic load gradually decreases from the first to the third year but rises significantly in the final year before declining during internships. As academic load increases, students tend to isolate themselves socially. Engaging in leisure activities can help mitigate the negative effects of stress on physical and psychological health. Faculty members recommend college counseling services to help students cope with stress.

Anxiety and Depression Prevalence in Incoming Division I Collegiate Athletes From 2017 to 2021

BACKGROUND

Young adults report increased rates of anxiety and depression than other age groups. Furthermore, young adult athletes experience additional stressors that may negatively impact their mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among Division I collegiate athletes and the influences of sex, sport type, and distance from home.

HYPOTHESIS

It was hypothesized that self-reported levels of anxiety and depression would increase among this population during this timeframe.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

METHODS

Participants included 792 incoming Division I collegiate athletes. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were completed by all incoming student athletes at a single institution as part of their preparticipation examination over 5 years. Both survey scores were categorized into different levels of severity and separately compared with chi-square tests. Continuous scores were modeled separately using negative binomial regression models including year, sex, sport type, and home location as covariates.

RESULTS

Results showed consistent levels of anxiety and depression over time. Female athletes reported higher levels of both anxiety and depression than male athletes, and individual sport athletes reported higher levels of depression than team sport athletes. Distance from home was not associated with anxiety or depression levels.

CONCLUSION

Overall, levels of anxiety and depression did not change in this population over this time period. However, differences in anxiety and depression were seen between sexes and depression between sport types.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Understanding anxiety and depression risk factors among collegiate athletes can enhance early identification and intervention to improve mental health and allow for better allocation of resources to at-risk groups among Division I collegiate athletes.

Increased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation, lowered total radical trapping capacity coupled with psychological stressors are strongly associated with the phenome of first-episode mild depression in undergraduate students

Undergraduate students are frequently afflicted by major depressive disorder (MDD). Oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of MDD. There is no information regarding whether mild outpatient MDD (SDMD) and first episode SDMD (FE-SDMD) are accompanied by O&NS. The current study compared lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced protein oxidation products, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), thiol groups, plasma total antioxidant potential (TRAP), and paraoxonase 1 activities among SDMD and FE-SDMD patients versus healthy controls. We found that SDMD and FE-SDMD exhibit elevated MDA and NOx, and decreased TRAP and LOOH as compared with controls. There was a significant and positive correlation between O&NS biomarkers and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and negative life events (NLEs). O&NS pathways, NLEs and ACEs accounted for 51.7 % of the variance in the phenome of depression, and O&NS and NLS explained 42.9 % of the variance in brooding. Overall, these results indicate that SDMD and FE-SDMD are characterized by reduced total antioxidant defenses and increased aldehyde and NOx production. The combined effects of oxidative and psychological stressors are substantially associated with the manifestation of SDMD.

Quantifying physiological health efficiency and benefit threshold of greenspace exposure in typical urban landscapes

Although greenspace exposure has physiological health benefits, there is insufficient research on the threshold effect of health benefits in typical urban landscapes. Here we selected five typical urban landscapes (open greenspace, semi-closed greenspace, closed greenspace, bluespace, grey space) in 15 urban parks in Xiamen, China, and applied the physiological health threshold model to calculate the efficiency threshold and benefit threshold of greenspace exposure by continuously monitoring the changes of two physiological indicators-electroencephalography (EEG) and heart rate (HR). (1) The EEG threshold results show that compared with greenspace exposure, bluespace exposure can reach the physiological health efficiency threshold faster (4-5 min) but does not show an advantage in terms of benefit threshold. The more open the greenspace, the faster it can reach the efficiency threshold (5-6 min), but the higher the canopy density of the (closed) greenspace, the shorter the time to reach the efficiency threshold (8-9 min). (2) The HR threshold shows that bluespace and open greenspace are the fastest to reach the efficiency threshold (1 min), with the remaining greenspace reaching it after 6-7 min. The benefit threshold was reached faster in the bluespace (11 min) than in the greenspace (18-21 min), and the degree of openness of the greenspace has no significant effect on the speed of benefit thresholds. (3) Combining the results of EEG and HR thresholds, it can be seen that bluespace is better at reducing stress, while open greenspace can reach efficiency thresholds more quickly. This study confirms the physiological health threshold model, offering a reference for urban greenspace planning to enhance residents' stress management and health.

The impact of family factors and digital technologies on mental health in university students

Introduction

A substantial body of research indicates an increasing prevalence of mental health issues among university students in a range of countries. A number of psychosocial factors have been put forward in the research literature as possible explanations for this persistent decline in psychological wellbeing in higher education. The present study focused on the role of family factors and the use of digital technologies by students.

Methods

A replication study was conducted at the University of the Americas (Chile) based on a previous study on psychosocial factors of academic learning patterns and mental health of university students at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Spain. A cross-sectional design was employed, using the same questionnaire, plus indicators of most frequently used digital technologies by the students. The questionnaire was administered online at the same time to all incoming students, gathering a sample of 4,523 students. A series of multiple regressions and ANOVAs was conducted to ascertain the extent to which family and digital factors could be identified as predictors of mental health indicators.

Results

The most significant findings indicate that high levels of parental protection and control/discipline, and especially the high use of social media and smartphones, are particularly salient factors contributing to mental health problems in the learning process of higher education students.

Discussion

The results suggest strategies to promote wellbeing, with a focus on the psychosocial diversity within an inclusive university community. Social and digital innovation, collective entrepreneurship, and participatory place-building may facilitate networks of artistic, cultural, ecological, and sports spaces to promote the sense of university community. A longitudinal follow-up on the same sample across academic years will reveal the extent to which these wellbeing initiatives are fruitful.

Associations between sugar-sweetened beverages consumption, duration of physical exercise, and depressive symptoms among Tibetan university students at high altitude

Background

Depressive symptoms have become a public health issue of common concern in countries all over the world, and have many negative impacts on university students' study and life. Depressive symptoms are influenced by many factors, including sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption and duration of physical activity. However, no study has been conducted on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, duration of physical exercise, and depressive symptoms among Tibetan university students at high altitudes.

Methods

In this study, a self-assessment survey of SSBs consumption, duration of physical exercise, and depressive symptoms was conducted on 6,259 (2,745 boys, 43.86%) Tibetan university students aged 19-22 years in Lhasa and Ganzi areas, China, using stratified whole population sampling. The associations were also analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, binary logistic regression analysis, and ordered logistic regression analysis in the generalised linear model.

Results

The proportions of mild depression symptoms, moderate depression symptoms, and major depressive symptoms among Tibetan boys university students in high-altitude areas of China were 18.0, 22.9, and 1.5%, respectively; the proportions of girls students were 20.1, 21.9, and 1.5%, respectively, 1.5%, and the differences in the detection rates of depressive symptoms between sex were statistically significant (χ 2 value = 14.253, p < 0.01). Ordered logistic regression analyses showed that using duration of physical exercise >60 min/d and SSBs ≤1 times/week as the reference group, the duration of physical exercise <30 min/d and SSBs ≥5 times/week groups had the highest risk of developing depressive symptoms was the highest risk (OR = 6.98, 95% CI: 5.05-9.65; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study confirmed that there was a positive association between SSBs consumption and depressive symptoms and a negative association between the duration of physical exercise and depressive symptoms among Tibetan university students at high altitudes in China. In the future, SSBs consumption should be effectively controlled and the duration of physical exercise should be increased to reduce the occurrence of depressive symptoms and promote the physical and mental health of Tibetan university students in high-altitude areas.

The Mediated Moderation of Conscientiousness and Active Involution on Zhongyong Practical Thinking and Depression

Purpose

This study integrates traditional Chinese culture, precisely the philosophy of Zhongyong () thinking, with the prevention and treatment of depression.

Samples and Methods

It involved a study with 700 undergraduate students from a college in Guangzhou, using the Negative Zhongyong Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory for assessments.

Results

The findings demonstrated that negative Zhongyong thinking predicts depression inversely. Additionally, conscientiousness indirectly and positively influences this relationship through active involution, thereby enhancing its overall effect. The analysis used the 2-mediated moderation (2meMO) model, which effectively handles error heterogeneous variances and provides a detailed assessment of the interactions between these variables. The specific findings are as follows: (1) There are correlations among negative Zhongyong thinking, depression, conscientiousness, and active involution; (2) Conscientiousness can directly and positively regulate the association between negative Zhongyong thinking and depression, and it can also indirectly regulate this relationship through active involution; (3) The higher the conscientiousness, the more actively individuals engage in active involution, thereby strengthening the negative predictive effect of negative Zhongyong thinking on depression.

Conclusion

These research findings contribute to the enrichment of theoretical research on the prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms and offer a fresh perspective on the utilization of traditional Chinese culture in depression prevention and treatment.

Well-being among university students in the post-COVID-19 era: a cross-country survey

University students have to handle crucial challenges for their future lives, such as succeeding in academic studies and finding attachment figures. These processes could potentially involve their well-being and mental health, with possible sociocultural differences based on the country of study. In order to explore such potential differences, a cross-sectional, multi-center survey was performed involving students from the University of Torino (Italy), Sevilla (Spain), and Lusòfona (Portugal). The survey, conducted from May to November 2023, investigated students' demographic and educational details, socioeconomic status, social support, mental health, academic environment, perceived COVID-19 pandemic impact, and future plans. Demographic profiles showed a predominance of female participants and straight sexual orientation, followed by bisexuality. Italian students showed the lowest levels of mental well-being and the highest rates of mental problems (anxiety and depression) and suicidal risk across the three countries despite the relatively similar profiles of social support. The prevalence of the students' confidence in their professional future is higher in Spain than in Italy and Portugal. This study provides a comprehensive examination of university students' mental health and well-being in three Southern European countries, addressing the major mental health challenges among university students and offering valuable insights for public health purposes.

Modelling the Relationship Between Resilience to Depression and Recent Stressful Life Events in University Students

Resilience, or successful coping with the experience of stressful life events (SLEs), protects against depression, but its operational mechanisms are unclear. Views diverge whether resilience intervenes as a trait or as a process of dynamic interactions of protective factors, such as self-esteem, social support and family cohesion. We evaluated five theoretically-based models of how resilience, defined as either a trait or a process, interacts with recent SLEs, to explain depressive symptomatology in 2434 university students. The moderating effect of problematic, age-inappropriate parenting (i.e., helicopter parenting) was also assessed. SLEs moderated both the effects of trait and process resilience on depression, but models conceptualising resilience as a dynamic process of interacting components showed better explanatory power than models conceptualising resilience solely as a trait. Trait resilience was protective through self-esteem at all levels of SLEs exposure (low, mild, moderate or high), and significantly, but less so through hope or social support. Experiencing helicopter parenting weakened the protective influence of process resilience, through decreasing family cohesion in the presence of SLEs. The overall assessment of the five models supports a process conceptualisation of resilience to depression in the face of adversity. However, the results also suggest that not all protective factors are equally important, with self-esteem appearing a significant and strong mediator of resilience to depression in all models including it as a variable. Building process resilience is proposed as a key intervention target for depressive symptoms. Clinical assessments and interventions following SLEs should routinely consider both trait resilience and self-esteem, as the interaction of these two factors protects against depression even at the highest levels of adversity exposure. Depression prevention approaches should address the individual's experience of overparenting, given the deleterious influence of helicopter parenting on resilience.

Psychological distress, health-promoting lifestyle and sociodemographic factors in Honduran university students: a structural equation model

This study sought to analyze an explanatory model on the relationship among sociodemographic factors, health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress) in college students. This is an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study conducted on a national sample of 4203 students who entered a macro university in Honduras in 2021, 2022 and 2023. We used a sociodemographic survey, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Univariate analysis and a multivariate structural equation model were conducted. The average HPLP-II score was 117.45 (± 23.41), and the average DASS-21 score was 20.06 (± 14.16). The multivariate model showed a good data fit (comparative fit index = 0.951; Tucker-Lewis index = 0.957; root mean square error of approximation = 0.067 [90% CI = 0.067-0.068]). Results indicate that being a woman (β = 0.11; p < 0.001) and being enrolled in biological and health sciences (β = 0.09; p < 0.001) significantly predict HPLP-II scores. Furthermore, being a woman (β = 0.17; p < 0.001), age (β = 0.10; p < 0.001) and having pre-existing medical conditions (β = 0.16; p < 0.001) significantly explain part of the variance of DASS-21. A significant reverse relationship between health-promoting behavior and psychological distress was shown (r = -0.36; p < 0.001). This study identifies protective and risky sociodemographic factors linked to health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and psychological distress. Our findings have implications for developing comprehensive intervention policies and strategies to promote health in higher education settings.

College students' intent to intervene with a hypothetical peer exhibiting depression: Leveraging lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study assesses college students' intent to intervene when presented with a hypothetical peer exhibiting depression in one of three scenarios: depression, sadness, and depression in quarantine during COVID-19. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), variations in constructs associated with intent were examined by context (external triggers vs. no trigger), knowledge of, and experience with depression. One hundred and sixteen health sciences students read three vignettes and completed an enhanced TPB questionnaire. Intent to intervene was greater when the vignette target was experiencing depression with external stressors. Prior experience with depression and knowing someone with depression were associated with greater intent to connect the hypothetical peer to counseling resources regardless of vignette scenario. Due to increased mental health concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts promoting awareness of mental illness in peers may benefit from increasing education about stressors and causes of depression that may not be observable.

Does exercise adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to improved subjective well-being? A cross-sectional study

Introduction

This study aims to investigate whether exercise adherence and positive mental character significantly affect subjective well-being among Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether positive mental character plays a mediating role.

Methods

The study employed questionnaires, including the Exercise Adherence Scale, the Positive Mental Character Scale, and the Subjective Well-Being Scale, which were administered to students across seven universities in Henan Province, China. A total of 1,001 participants were analyzed in the final sample. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 for descriptive statistics, independent samples T-test, correlation, and regression analyses. Furthermore, structural equation model with AMOS was conducted to examine the potential mediating effect of positive mental characteristics on the relationship between exercise adherence and subjective well-being.

Results

The results indicated significant differences in exercise adherence, positive mental character, and subjective well-being between male and female participants, with males scoring higher in all three domains. Among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant correlation among exercise adherence, positive mental character, and subjective well-being. Exercise adherence was found to have a significant and positive impact on both positive mental character and subjective well-being. Additionally, it was found that positive mental character had a significant positive association with subjective well-being. The mediating role of positive mental character in the relationship between exercise adherence and subjective well-being was partially supported.

Discussion

Exercise adherence among Chinese college students had a significant positive association on both positive mental character and subjective well-being throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The exercise adherence can directly or indirectly enhance subjective well-being through its association with positive mental character. Therefore, positive mental and subjective well-being can be enhanced by consistent physical activity even during a pandemic.

Resilience and social support as protective factors against suicidal ideation among tertiary students during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Suicidal ideation is a depression symptom which represents a key (cognitive) component of suicidality and plays an important role in suicide risk detection, intervention, and prevention. Despite existing research showing the importance of certain factors of depression symptoms and suicidal ideation, less is known about the interaction between the various risk and protective factors. The aim of the study was to examine whether living conditions characteristics and personal circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic predicted the presence of depression symptoms and suicidal ideation among tertiary students and whether resilience and social support can mitigate the detrimental effects of difficult life circumstances.

METHOD

A large online cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2021 among 4,645 Slovenian tertiary students. Hierarchical multiple regression and hierarchical logistic regression methods were used to assess and compare the effect of life circumstances variables, as opposed to resilience and social support, on depression symptoms and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

Female gender, single relationship status, living alone, a higher degree of household conflict, having a history of mental illness and chronic disease diagnosis were significant predictors of depression scores. All but gender were also predictors of suicidal ideation. Household conflict and a history of mental illness were the factors showing the strongest effect in both cases. On the other hand, social support and, in particular, resilience proved to be strong protective factors against depression symptoms and suicidal ideation. After accounting for one's resilience and social support, the explained variance in depression scores was more than doubled, while the harmful effect of household conflict and history of mental illness significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings stress the importance of one's resilience and social support and explain why some people manage to maintain mental well-being despite finding themselves in difficult life circumstances, which was the case for many tertiary students during the COVID-19 pandemic. These insights may inform preventive efforts against developing suicidal ideation and may be used as support for the design and implementation of interventions for improving resilience and social support from childhood onward.

Enhancing psychological well-being in college students: the mediating role of perceived social support and resilience in coping styles

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of depression among college students is higher than that of the general population. Although a growing body of research suggests that depression in college students and their potential risk factors, few studies have focused on the correlation between depression and risk factors. This study aims to explore the mediating role of perceived social support and resilience in the relationship between trait coping styles and depression among college students.

METHODS

A total of 1262 college students completed questionnaires including the Trait Coping Styles Questionnaire (TCSQ), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Resilience Scale-14 (RS-14). Common method bias tests and spearman were conducted, then regressions and bootstrap tests were used to examine the mediating effects.

RESULTS

In college students, there was a negative correlation between perceived control PC and depression, with a significant direct predictive effect on depression (β = -0.067, P < 0.01); in contrast, negative control NC showed the opposite relationship (β = 0.057, P < 0.01). PC significantly positively predicted perceived social support (β = 0.575, P < 0.01) and psychological resilience (β = 1.363, P < 0.01); conversely, NC exerted a significant negative impact. Perceived social support could positively predict psychological resilience (β = 0.303, P < 0.01), and both factors had a significant negative predictive effect on depression. Additionally, Perceived social support and resilience played a significant mediating role in the relationship between trait coping styles and depression among college students, with three mediating paths: PC/NC → perceived social support → depression among college students (-0.049/0.033), PC/NC→ resilience → depression among college students (-0.122/-0.021), and PC/NC → perceived social support → resilience → depression among college students (-0.016/0.026).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that trait coping styles among college students not only directly predict lower depression but also indirectly influence them through perceived social support and resilience. This suggests that guiding students to confront and solve problems can alleviate their depression.

Students' perceived restorativeness of university environment: the validation of the Rest@U scale

University students are likely to encounter mental health issues throughout their educational journey. Among the various factors that can impact students' wellbeing, the physical environment can potentially restore cognitive, physiological, and emotional resources, thereby enhancing academic performance, and overall quality of life, while reducing feelings of stress and depression. The Perceived Restorativeness Scale is the most commonly used tool to assess the level of restorativeness derived from the educational physical environment. However, a tailored measure could be a more psychometrically suitable approach to capture the context-specific characteristics of university environments for academic students. This study aimed to validate an instrument that can accurately evaluate university spaces to measure the perceived restorativeness of university students. A total sample of 685 students from two Italian universities participated in the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Restorativeness at University scale (Rest@US), consisting of 13 items divided into four dimensions: fascination, being-away, scope, and coherence. The hypothesised four-factor model (being-away, fascination, scope, and coherence) demonstrated excellent fit indices in both the calibration and validation samples and was invariant for sex. The scale demonstrates good reliability. Furthermore, criterion validity has been confirmed, highlighting that, in a theoretically consistent manner, the perceived restorativeness of university physical environments from the point of view of students and its dimensions were negatively correlated with techno-overload and study-related workload and positively correlated with perceived performance and psycho-physical wellbeing.

Acculturation and Depression Help-Seeking Intentions in a Majority Mexican American College Student Sample

Work has not examined if acculturation or enculturation may predict endorsed benefits, barriers, and intentions to seek mental health services for depression, specifically among Latino students enrolled in a rural and majority Latino immigrant institution of higher education. An improved understanding of factors informing mental health help-seeking is needed to identify possible intervention points to address gaps in accessing depression treatment. Participants (N = 406) read a vignette depicting a person with depressive symptoms. Participants were asked if they would seek help for depression if in the situation described in the vignette. Participants provided text responses about their preferences for managing depression symptoms and their mental health help-seeking history. Additionally, participants completed a self-report depression symptom screener, demographic surveys, acculturation assessment, and questionnaires on perceived benefits and barriers to seeking mental health services. Path analysis was used to test the link between acculturation status and intent to seek services for depression, with benefits and barriers as mediators. The results revealed that higher perceived benefits and lower barriers were directly associated with greater intentions to seek help. Furthermore, an indirect effect of acculturation on help-seeking intentions via higher perceived benefits of seeking care was observed. These findings persisted after controlling for age, gender, depression, and history of seeking care for depression. Future work should test the replicability of this finding with diverse college students living in predominantly immigrant communities. Universities might consider tailoring outreach initiatives to provide information on the range and accessibility of mental health services, the location of mental health service centers, and the procedures for accessing such services.

The Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide in Italian University Students: Validation of the INQ-15 and the ACSS-FAD

In the frame of the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide (IPTS), Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ-15) assesses thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB), related to suicidal ideation (SI); Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale-Fearlessness About Death (ACSS-FAD) measures this component which contributes to lethal self-harm. The objective was to evaluate the psychometric properties of INQ-15 and ACSS-FAD in a population of Italian university students. Since the Italian INQ-15 was already validated, we translated ACSS-FAD through a multistage procedure and administered both to 1,665 Italian university students. Factor analysis confirmed a two-factor-related model of INQ-15, one factor of ACSS-FAD, and good reliability for both. We proved the association between INQ-15 and current SI and between ACSS-FAD and lifetime suicidal planning and/or suicide attempt. The convergent and discriminant validities were in line with those of previous studies. Both tools are valid and reliable to assess the constructs associated with suicide outcomes according to IPTS.

Academic self-efficacy and cognitive strategy use in college students with and without depression or anxiety

OBJECTIVE

This study examined whether college students with and without depression or anxiety differed in subjective cognitive concerns, academic self-efficacy, and cognitive strategy use.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants included 582 college students (M = 19.0 ± 1.0 years-old, 79.4% women, 81.9% White).

METHODS

Participants completed online self-report questionnaires on subjective cognitive functioning, academic self-efficacy, cognitive strategy use, and depression and anxiety symptoms, which were used to categorize participants as having anxiety or depression based on established clinical cutoffs.

RESULTS

Participants with anxiety or depression reported greater subjective cognitive concerns and lower academic self-efficacy compared to participants without anxiety or depression, but these groups differed only modestly in cognitive strategy use.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite greater cognitive concerns, participants with anxiety or depression reported only modestly greater cognitive strategy use. Future research should evaluate interventions to increase strategy use among college students with anxiety or depression, tailoring these interventions for modern students by incorporating telehealth approaches and smartphone use.

Exploring the effects of COVID-19-related traumatic events on the mental health of university students in Brazil: A cross-sectional investigation

University students are vulnerable to mental health issues during their academic lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, university students faced mental distress due to lockdowns and the transition to e-learning. However, it is not known whether these students were also affected specifically by COVID-19-related traumatic events. This study examined the impact of COVID-19-related traumatic events on 2277 university students from two federal institutions of higher education in Brazil. The university students completed an online questionnaire covering demographics, lifestyle habits, health characteristics, COVID-19-related traumatic events, and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. The results showed that an increased intensity of COVID-19-related traumatic events was positively associated with stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and each specific type of event was associated with these symptoms. In addition, we found a negative association between these symptoms and male sex and age and a positive association with having or having had a history of cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or mental disorders or another disease diagnosed by a physician. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the heightened risk of mental health issues in university students in the face of COVID-19-related traumatic events. Women, young people and people who have or have had a history of disease were the most vulnerable to mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevalence and Associations of Depression among Saudi College Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Depression affects approximately 350 million individuals globally and is the leading cause of disability. Depression among nursing students is an ongoing issue, yet little is known about the relationship between depression and its risk factors among nursing students in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression among a cohort of Saudi nursing students and to explore the risk factors associated with depression in this group. A cross-sectional design was employed for this study, which was conducted by the nursing faculty at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The researcher sampled 330 nursing students, with 252 students (a 76.3% response rate) randomly selected by the academic advising unit in the nursing college between January and February 2023. The participants completed an online survey based on the Arabic version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The data were analyzed using univariate analysis and backward multi-variable logistic regression. The findings revealed that 65.1% of the participants scored 16 or above on the depression scale, indicating high levels of depressive symptoms. Univariate analysis identified several significant risk factors for depression, including sex (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.16-0.51; p < 0.001), academic pressure (OR, 5.87; 95% CI, 2.04-16.84; p < 0.001), interpersonal relationships (evaluated by balance and harmony in thoughts, emotions, behavior, and interactions with others; categorized as good/fair or poor), and the relationship with the father, which were strongly associated with the presence of depression symptoms. Backward multi-variable logistic regression analysis further revealed that being male, experiencing reduced academic pressure, having stronger father-son relationships, and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships were significantly associated with decreased levels of depression (ORs ranged from 0.25 to 3.94). These findings highlight the need for family and school-based prevention interventions to help nursing students in college avoid depression.

Evaluation of metabolomics-based urinary biomarker models for recognizing major depression disorder and bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are psychiatric disorders with overlapping symptoms, leading to high rates of misdiagnosis due to the lack of biomarkers for differentiation. This study aimed to identify metabolic biomarkers in urine samples for diagnosing MDD and BD, as well as to establish unbiased differential diagnostic models.

METHODS

We utilized a metabolomics approach employing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) to analyze the metabolic profiles of urine samples from individuals with MDD (n = 50), BD (n = 12), and healthy controls (n = 50). The identification of urine metabolites was verified using MS data analysis tools and online metabolite databases.

RESULTS

Two diagnostic panels consisting of a combination of metabolites and clinical indicators were identified-one for MDD and another for BD. The discriminative capacity of these panels was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9084 for MDD and an AUC value of 0.9017 for BD.

CONCLUSIONS

High-resolution mass spectrometry-based assays show promise in identifying urinary biomarkers for depressive disorders. The combination of urine metabolites and clinical indicators is effective in differentiating healthy controls from individuals with MDD and BD. The metabolic pathway indicating oxidative stress is seen to significantly contribute to depressive disorders.

Unintended consequences: college students' melatonin usage, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms

With such high rates of undergraduate sleep problems, students have chosen to take melatonin, an over-the-counter supplement that can facilitate sleep. Questions remain as to the effectiveness of melatonin for sleep problems, and questions have emerged about its impact on mental health. Accordingly, the current study examined how ongoing melatonin usage might impact relative changes in college students' sleep disturbance and ultimately their depressive symptoms. The two-wave (baseline and 2-month follow-up), online sample consisted of 331 undergraduates (86% female; Mage = 21.3, SD = 2.4), who reported on melatonin usage, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms. Controlling for sleep hygiene, socio-economic status, and gender, our model demonstrated a significant indirect effect from ongoing melatonin usage to depressive symptoms. Specifically, melatonin consumption predicted relative increases in sleep disturbance, which, in turn, predicted corresponding increases in students' depressive symptoms. Given the increasing prevalence of melatonin usage, the potential for unforeseen consequences remains high. Results suggest that the negative consequences of melatonin use can include both college students' mental health and their sleep. Given the efficacy of addressing sleep problems with cognitive or behavioral strategies, it is essential that student support services highlight alternatives to melatonin and the potential problems associated with its use.

Undergraduate class standing, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the association between perceived social support and depressive symptoms at different stages of academic progress.

PARTICIPANTS

Undergraduate students (n = 505) enrolled at a large southeastern university.

METHODS

Students completed a cross-sectional survey about their self-reported physical and mental health. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and academic class standing.

RESULTS

Academic class standing and perceived social support were both significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Compared to freshman, odds of having depressive symptoms were 2.15 times higher for sophomores and 3.94 times higher for seniors. For every one unit increase in perceived social support, the odds of depressive symptoms decreased by 51%.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant association between depressive symptoms and social support was identified for all undergraduates in this sample. The differences identified between social support and depressive symptoms reveal the need to tailor support provided at different academic stages.

Relationships between students' perceived campus walkability, mental health, and life satisfaction during COVID-19

Improving walkability in the campus environment and socio-psychological environments can promote students' mental health and subjective well-being. This study aimed to propose a theoretical model to investigate the link of perceived campus walkability (PCW) with mental health and life satisfaction (LS), and to disentangle the mediating impact of socio-psychological environments and academic performance on this relationship, while simultaneously considering the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. We applied structural equation modeling to analyze the data collected through a questionnaire survey conducted at six universities and colleges in Yantai, China. PCW had both direct and indirect positive effects on mental health and LS. However, indirect effects are greater than direct effects. Walking attitudes, social capital, and academic performance were critical to the relationship between PCW, mental health, and LS. Academic performance had the strongest indirect effect on mental health, while social capital had the strongest indirect effect on LS. We also found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, body mass index and family income were significantly correlated with mental health and LS. The findings indicate that campus planners and policymakers should improve PCW and support the socio-psychological environment to promote students' mental and social health during situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vegetable and fruit wastes: Valuable source for organic fertilizer for effective growth of short-term crops: Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annum

Agriculture plays a vital role in the food security and economies of Asian countries. Annually, numerous metric tons of vegetable and fruit wastes are disposed of. This research aimed to convert the food wastes encompassing the vegetable and fruit wastes into solid and liquid organic fertilizer and to evaluate their influence on the growth (germination, phytochemicals, and biomolecules) of Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annum. Solanum lycopersicum, known as tomato, and Capsicum annum, known as bell pepper or chili pepper, are globally significant crops valued for their medicinal properties and economic importance. The pot experiment was performed with organic fertilizers (solid and liquid organic fertilizer) and compared with the influence of chemical fertilizer and control soil without fertilizers. Interestingly, the liquid organic fertilizer effectively enhanced the biometric profile and chlorophyll content of S. lycopersicum and C. annum Viz., 1.23 mg g-1 and 0.89 mg g-1, respectively. The results of a 30-days pot experiment with various fertilizer treatments showed significant influence of liquid organic fertilizer on the fresh and dry weight biomass of both S. lycopersicum and C. annum. Subsequently, the solid organic fertilizer showed considerable influence on test crops, and the influence of these organic fertilizers was more significant than the chemical fertilizer on crop growth in 30-days experiment. These results suggest that the sustainable approach can effectively convert vegetables and fruit waste into valuable organic fertilizer enriched with plant growth supporting essential nutritional elements.

Stress-related experiences and intentions to quit studies among female married postgraduate distance education students in Ghana

BACKGROUND

Although postgraduate studies have been shown to be associated with stressful experiences, students reading programmes through the distance and e-learning mode experience greater levels of stress due to several reasons. These stressful encounters might be heightened in female married postgraduates on distance education programmes due to other family-work-related engagements. This study investigated the stress-related experiences and intentions to quit studies among female married students on a distance education programme in Ghana.

METHODS

Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, 164 married postgraduate distance education students were sampled to participate by responding to a questionnaire. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 10 participants to offer insight into the quantitative findings. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentages, while the qualitative data were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Stress was prevalent among the female married distance education students, with the majority having intentions of quitting their studies. The stressors identified ranged from personal (i.e., work and family demands) to institutional ones (i.e., academic load, unresolved complaints and high financial demands from the programme).

CONCLUSIONS

Key findings suggest that female married postgraduate distance education students perform multiple roles as full-time employees with family and academic demands that can negatively impact their health and academic work. Implications and recommendations of the findings are discussed.

Depressive Symptoms Among Higher Education Students in Germany-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives

Higher education students in Germany are vulnerable to depressive symptoms. Despite ample evidence, no comprehensive review has recently been conducted. Thus, our systematic review and meta-analysis aims at describing the extent to which students are affected by depressive symptoms.

Methods

We searched three databases for articles reporting the prevalence rates of depressiveness among students in Germany published between 2002 and 2023. Pooled prevalence rates were calculated using random effects models, both for the overall sample and for subgroups categorized by gender, study setting, assessment instrument, and whether the study was conducted before or during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

The search yielded 992 records. After screening, 60 articles remained for data extraction. About one out of five students (21.1%) exhibits depressive symptoms. Pooled prevalence rates differ between subgroups, with higher rates during the COVID-19 pandemic than before (30.6% versus 18.0%) and with females being more affected than their male counterparts (29.0% versus 23.1%).

Conclusion

This review underlines the urgency with which the mental health of students should be addressed at the (higher educational) policy level.

Clinical Trial Registration: PROPSPERO, Identifier CRD42022384066.

University Students' Financial Situation During COVID-19 and Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms: Results of the COVID-19 German Student Well-Being Study (C19 GSWS)

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on students' financial situation as well as on their mental health.

Aim

To examine the reported change in the financial situation of German university students before and across two time points of the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate its associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Methods

We used data from the cross-sectional COVID-19 German Student Well-being Study conducted at five German universities (N = 7203). Linear regression models were used to analyze associations between a reported change in financial situation and anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Results

Twenty-eight percent of the participants reported to have a worsened financial situation at the time of the survey compared to the time prior to the pandemic. A worsened financial situation at the time of the survey as compared to prior to the pandemic was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms reported in all three depression and anxiety scales [a 1.46 point increase on the CES-D 8 scale (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19; 1.73), a 0.37-point increase in PHQ-2 (95% CI: 0.28; 0.46), and a 0.45-point increase in GAD-2 (95% CI: 0.35; 0.55)]. An improved financial situation, on the other hand, was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. As for the second change, comparing the current financial situation with the situation during the first wave of the pandemic, the associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms were broadly similar.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that students are a vulnerable population in need of mental and financial support during times of crisis. Future research is needed to obtain insights into potential long-term effects of the pandemic on students' mental health.

Association of Premorbid Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Concussion Recovery in Collegiate Student-Athletes

BACKGROUND

Mental health disorders are linked to prolonged concussion symptoms. However, the association of premorbid anxiety/depression symptoms with postconcussion return-to-play timelines and total symptom burden is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of self-reported premorbid anxiety/depression symptoms in collegiate student-athletes with (1) recovery times until asymptomatic, (2) return-to-play, and (3) postconcussion symptom burden.

STUDY DESIGN

Athletes in the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education Consortium completed baseline concussion assessments (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool [SCAT3] and Brief Symptom Inventory-18 [BSI-18]). Athletes were tested postinjury at <6 hours, 24 to 48 hours, time of asymptomatic and start of return-to-play protocol, unrestricted return-to-play, and 6 months after injury. Injured athletes were categorized into 4 groups based on BSI-18 scores: (1) B-ANX, elevated anxiety symptoms only; (2) B-DEP, elevated depression symptoms only; (3) B-ANX&DEP, elevated anxiety and depression symptoms; and (4) B-NEITHER, no elevated anxiety or depression symptoms. Relationship between age, sex, BSI-18 group, SCAT3 total symptom and severity scores, and time to asymptomatic status and return-to-play was assessed with Pearson's chi-squared test and robust analysis of variance.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

RESULTS

Among 1329 athletes with 1352 concussions, no respondents had a self-reported premorbid diagnosis of anxiety/depression. There was no difference in time until asymptomatic or time until return-to-play between BSI-18 groups (P = 0.15 and P = 0.11, respectively). B-ANX, B-DEP, and B-ANX&DEP groups did not have higher total symptom or severity scores postinjury compared with the B-NEITHER group.

CONCLUSION

Baseline anxiety/depression symptoms in collegiate student-athletes without a mental health diagnosis are not associated with longer recovery times until asymptomatic, longer time to return-to-play, or higher postconcussion total symptom and severity scores compared with athletes without baseline symptoms.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Anxiety and depression symptoms without a clear mental health diagnosis should be considered differently from other comorbidities when discussing prolonged recovery in collegiate student-athletes.

Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among Ethiopian students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to estimate the overall pooled prevalence of depression and its associated factors among high school, college and university students in Ethiopia.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Direct, African Journal Online and Google Scholar. The primary articles were searched from 2 April 2023 to 11 May 2023.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Observational studies such as cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies that reported the prevalence and associated factors of depression among students in Ethiopia were included. Both published and unpublished primary studies were included in this review.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two authors independently extracted all the important data using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and exported it to Stata V.14 for analysis. The statistical heterogeneity among the included articles was assessed by the I2 statistics test. Publication bias was checked using the funnel plot and Egger's regression test.

RESULTS

A total of 17 primary studies with 8798 study participants were included in the current study to estimate the combined prevalence of depression. The pooled prevalence of depression among Ethiopian students was 35.52% with a 95% CI (30.54% to 40.51%). Subgroup analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of depression was higher in Addis Ababa, which was 40.43%, with a 95% CI (28.02% to 52.83%). Female sex, first-year educational level, family history of mental illness, alcohol drinking and parental neglect were significantly associated with depression in this study.

CONCLUSION

In this review, the overall pooled prevalence of depression among students in Ethiopia was high compared with the general population. Therefore, it is necessary to make more efforts to provide mental healthcare and psychosocial support to students to improve their mental health and decrease the overall burden of depression.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023424301.

Best Practices for Depression Screening Among College Students: A Literature Review

Rates of depression among the college-aged population are alarming, particularly in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. It is important for providers who care for this population to have proper screening and referral processes to meet growing student needs. The purpose of this literature review was to examine current best practices for depression screening among college students. Comprehensive searches of PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane databases were completed with the assistance of a medical librarian. A total of 775 studies were screened, and 17 articles were included in the review. Evidence supports universal-based depression screenings; use of screening methods to include brief and online screenings; use of validated screening tools, including the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) -2 and PHQ-9; and the importance of a proper referral process and adequate access to treatment measures. An appropriate depression screening and referral process within campus health centers is critical to meet the needs of college students. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(6), 13-17.].

Depressive symptoms and their correlates among predoctoral dental students in the United States

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms among predoctoral dental students in the United States and examine potential correlates.

METHODS

A survey was emailed to all 66 dental schools in the United States, inviting them to distribute it to their predoctoral students. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Data collection occurred from February to April 2020. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to assess associations between demographic variables and depressive symptom severity category, adjusting for potential confounding.

RESULTS

Of an estimated 25,000 predoctoral dental students at the 66 schools, 631 students from 21 schools completed the survey. A total of 24.1% were categorized as having minimal or no depressive symptoms, 33.6% as having mild depressive symptoms, and 42.3% as having moderate, moderately severe, or severe depressive symptoms. Gender (p = 0.015) and race/ethnicity (p = 0.002) were significant predictors of severity, adjusting for other variables. Students identifying as female had higher odds of self-reporting greater depressive severity symptoms compared with students identifying as male. Students identifying as African American/Black (non-Hispanic) and Asian/Pacific Islander had higher odds of self-reporting greater depressive severity symptoms compared with students identifying as White.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence of a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among predoctoral dental students in the United States. Demographic variables may be risk indicators within this population. Approaches to reduce depressive symptoms among US predoctoral dental students are needed.