Perceived belonging on campus predicts depression among heavy drinkers: A test of three moderators

An association exists between perceived belonging and depression among college students. Because a student's sense of belongingness may vary as a function of their social identity, three identities - ethnicity, first-generation college student status, and sex - were investigated as potential moderators of this relationship. One hundred eighty-seven heavy-drinking college students (63% female; 52% non-Latinx White; = 20 years of age) were assessed. Three hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to test whether belonging at baseline predicted depression at six months and whether each identity variable moderated this association. Analyses yielded significant main effects between belonging and depression. Hispanic nor first-generation status interacted with belonging in predicting depression. Sex interacted with belonging where higher belongingness was associated with lower levels of depression only among female students. Mental health providers should consider asking female students about their perceptions of belonging on college campuses to understand their vulnerability to depression.