The prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of depressive symptoms among Cypriot university students: a cross-sectional descriptive co-relational study

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious findings in the literature suggest that the occurrence of depressive symptoms among university students is associated with specific socio-demographic characteristics. No related research studies have been conducted among university students in Cyprus. The current study aims to add more evidence to the literature by estimating the prevalence of clinical depressive symptoms and their association with individual, parental, academic and health-related behavior characteristics.MethodsA descriptive cross sectional study with internal comparison was performed. The occurrence of depressive symptoms was assessed by the Center for Epidemiology Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D). Clinical depressive symptoms were reported as CES-D values ≥ 20. The socio-demographic and other characteristics of the participants were assessed using a questionnaire specifically designed for the present study. Both questionnaires were completed anonymously and voluntarily by 1,500 students (29.9% males and 70.1% females, response rate 85%).ResultsThe prevalence of clinical depressive symptoms [CES-D score ≥ 20] was 27.9%. Among other, strong positive associations with clinical depressive symptoms were observed with a) positive personal and family history of depression (OR 2.85, 95% CI: 1.77 – 4.60), b) self -assessed poor physical and mental health (OR 11.30, 95% CI: 7.05 – 18.08). Moreover, students with learning disabilities, as well as those who were dissatisfied with the major under study, the quality of the educational system, the living arrangement, their social life and the available university facilities (OR 2.73, 95% CI: 2.00 – 3.72) were more likely to report clinical depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThe results of the present study highlight specific individual, parental, academic and health-related behavior characteristics of the students associated with the presence of depressive symptoms. Thus, targeted interventions considering the socio-demographic profile of vulnerable students for early recognition and manifestation of mental health disturbances may be designed. Moreover, the relatively high prevalence of clinical symptoms of depression within this particular cultural context may warrant further investigation in longitudinal studies.

The Correlation of Seropositive IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Cytomegalovirus and Somatic Symptom with Somatic Symptom Inventory (SSI) in Community Based Sample

“…Previous studies reported that married individuals were at higher risk of somatic symptoms compared to those who have not married on the basis of risk ratio (RR). 12,[16][17][18] The education, occupation, and income did not affect the somatic symptoms in this study. Previous studies showed that subjects with higher education level havehigher depression risk.…”

Factors Associated with Depression among University Students in Malaysia: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Compared to other studies, it was lower than other neighbor countries; Thailand (47.01%) [33] and Brunei (43.36%) [34]; relatively comparable to Oman (27.70%) [35] and Cyprus (27.90%) [36]; higher than China (23.8%) [37], Ethiopia (21.60%) [38] and Syberia (23.60%) [19]. A study by Shamsuddin depression compared to the current study (29.4%) [8].…”

Prevalence of depressive symptoms among schoolchildren in Cyprus: a cross-sectional descriptive correlational study

“…Despite the fact that our findings regarding the rate of clinically relevant depressive symptoms were in line with those in the international literature, one has to underline their importance, since this is the first study, to our knowledge, that tackled this issue in Cyprus. Generally, there is limited data regarding the rate of depressive symptoms in the general population in Cyprus [ 45 ], as well as in adolescents; there is only one study conducted in young adults, in particular university students [ 46 , 47 ]. According to those research findings, the prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms was 27.9%.…”