The Prevalence and Correlates of Depression among College Students

This study examined depression among a random sample of students (N = 618) enrolled in a medium size university in the Pacific Northwest who responded to the American College Health Association's National College Health Assessment. The results indicated that one in four students experienced depression in the past year and men were as likely as women to report feeling depressed. Depressed students were more likely than non-depressed students to report academic impairment due to various physical conditions including chronic pain (p = 0.010) and sinus infections (p = 0.010), as well as psycho-social conditions such as learning disabilities (p = 0.037), relationship difficulties (p less than 0.001) and stress (p less than 0.001). Depressed students were more likely to report their health as fair or poor (p = 0.041), smoke cigarettes (p = 0.001), and be gay/lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered (p = 0.001). There were notable findings: several correlates of depression identified in previous studies, including alcohol use, did not prove to be significant. Students who worked, and volunteered more hours, were more likely to be depressed. These results provide important information for student affairs professionals and faculty as they respond to the growing concern of depression and its affect on student learning and well-being. (Contains 3 tables.)