Ethnicity And Depression Among Maritime University Students In Canada

Abstract

IntroductionDepression is among the most common mental illnesses in Canada. Although many factors contribute to depression, stress is among the most commonly reported. Studies suggest that marginalized groups often experience high levels of stress.ObjectiveTo examine associations between ethnicity and depressive symptoms among university students.AimTo identify if ethnic groups, particularly Aboriginal students, are at greater risk of depression.MethodsOnline survey data were collected from students attending eight universities in the Canadian Maritime Provinces (n = 10,180). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 12-item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Ethnicity was organized into five groups: Caucasian only, Aboriginal only, Aboriginals with other ethnicities, Mixed Ethnicity (not including Aboriginal), and Other (single ethnicity not including Aboriginal or Caucasian). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess associations between ethnicity and elevated depressive symptoms. Adjusted models accounted for demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioural characteristics.ResultsIn adjusted analyses for men, Mixed (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.12–3.63) and Other ethnic students (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.11–1.96) were more likely to have elevated depressive symptoms than Caucasians. There were no differences between those who were Aboriginal and those who were Caucasian. In unadjusted and adjusted analyses for women, depressive symptoms in ethnic groups (including Aboriginals) were not significantly different from Caucasians.ConclusionAmong male university students in the Maritime, ethnicity (other than being Aboriginal) was associated with depressive symptoms in comparison to Caucasians, after adjusting for covariates. However, among women, ethnicity was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Development of a Behavior Change Intervention to Improve Sexual Health Service Use Among University Undergraduate Students: Mixed Methods Study Protocol

“…To understand the pattern of university students’ sexual health service, we will conduct a secondary analysis of data collected during the online Undergraduate Student Sexual Health Survey in the fall of 2012 [ 20 ]. This was a cross-sectional survey of a voluntary study population of undergraduate students from eight universities on the east coast of Canada.…”

“…Second, as these universities are in relatively close proximity geographically, the data collection in Phases 2 and 3 will be more feasible. Third, University A and University B yielded two of the highest response rates of the eight participating universities (31.2% and 23.8%, respectively; N=5633) [ 20 ].…”