The Prevalence of Depression and its Predictors among International Postgraduate Students Studying Public Health at a UK University

Hosseinpur, Hanieh; Parsa, Ali Davod; Kabir, Russell

doi:10.1177/26318318231181689

“…A 2022 survey assessing the mental health of nearly 80,000 college students in China revealed a depression risk detection rate of approximately 21.48%. Similarly, a 2021 survey in England reported that 37% of undergraduate students were experiencing major depressive symptoms, and a study focusing on international postgraduate students studying public health at a university found a depression prevalence of 34.6% ( 3 , 4 ). Depression can have a profound impact on various aspects of life, including relationships with family, friends, and community.…”

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confidence: 99%

Correlation research on physical activity and executive function in female college students with subclinical depression

Li,

Alhumaid,

Wang

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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Researchers have found that there may be a correlation between physical activity, executive function, and depression for college students with depression. However, there is limited information available regarding the relationship and interaction between subclinical depression, physical activity, and executive function among college students with subclinical depression. The purpose of this study is to assess the correlation and interaction between subclinical depression, physical activity, and executive function in female college students with subclinical depression. The ActiGraph GT3X was utilized to measure physical activity time, and the colour-word Stroop task was employed to evaluate the executive function of the participants. The findings revealed that female college students with subclinical depression had a significantly lower time for moderate-intensity physical activity compared to healthy female college students. Additionally, the subclinical depression group took significantly longer to complete the colour-word Stroop task compared to the healthy group of female college students. The results of correlation and mediation analyses suggest a negative correlation between BDI-II scores and physical activity time and executive function in female college students with subclinical depression. Moreover, executive function appears to play a partial mediating role in the relationship between physical activity and subclinical depression.

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Depression among Saudi international university students and its associated risk factors

Alnaim,

Alghamdi,

Aljawair

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Introduction Depression disorders are one of the most widespread mental disorders among college students. In university students, depression has been associated with lower academic performance, worse work performance, and increased dropout risk. his study aims to assess the prevalence of depression and highlight risk factors among Saudi international university students (IUS) in the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and Australia. Subject and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi students who chose to study abroad. A self-administered online questionnaire was sent to the students using an online survey. The questionnaire includes socio-demographic data (e.g., age, gender, specialty, etc.), medical characteristics, social status, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) to assess the student's depression. Results Of the 401 students, 52.4% were younger (age 18 – 25 years), and more than half were males (53.9%). Most of the participants were studying in the US (46.6%), followed by the UK (40.6%) and Australia (12.7%). The rate of major depression among Saudi students studying abroad was 40.4%. In univariate analysis, major depression was influenced by age, marital status, specialty, personal and family history of mental illness, contact with family and friends, and feeling like a stranger. However, after conducting multivariate regression analysis, previous diagnoses of mental illness and feeling a stranger were identified as the significant independent risk factors for major depression. Conclusion This study provides insights into the prevalence and risk factors associated with depression among Saudi IUS. The prevalence of major depression among Saudi IUS was 40.4%. Previous history of mental illness and feeling like strangers were identified as the most prominent risk factors in this study. Identifying the prevalence and contributing factors of depression can guide academic institutions and governments in the development of effective interventions and support for IUS’s mental well-being. Future research could diversify the sample and employ longitudinal designs.

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Depression Among Saudi International University Students and Its Associated Risk Factors.

ALNAIM,

AlGhamdi,

AlJawair

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Introduction Depression disorders are one of the most widespread mental disorders among college students. In university students, depression has been associated with lower academic performance, worse work performance, and increased dropout risk. his study aims to assess the prevalence of depression and highlight risk factors among Saudi international university students (IUS) in the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and Australia. Subject and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi students who chose to study abroad. A self-administered online questionnaire was sent to the students using an online survey. The questionnaire includes socio-demographic data (e.g., age, gender, specialty, etc.), medical characteristics, social status, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) to assess the student's depression. Results Of the 401 students, 52.4% were younger (age 18 – 25 years), and more than half were males (53.9%). Most of the participants were studying in the US (46.6%), followed by the UK (40.6%) and Australia (12.7%). The rate of major depression among Saudi students studying abroad was 40.4%. In univariate analysis, major depression was influenced by age, marital status, specialty, personal and family history of mental illness, contact with family and friends, and feeling like a stranger. However, after conducting multivariate regression analysis, previous diagnoses of mental illness and feeling a stranger were identified as the significant independent risk factors for major depression. Conclusion This study provides insights into the prevalence and risk factors associated with depression among Saudi IUS. The prevalence of major depression among Saudi IUS was 40.4%. Previous history of mental illness and feeling like strangers were identified as the most prominent risk factors in this study. Identifying the prevalence and contributing factors of depression can guide academic institutions and governments in the development of effective interventions and support for IUS’s mental well-being. Future research could diversify the sample and employ longitudinal designs.

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The Prevalence of Depression and its Predictors among International Postgraduate Students Studying Public Health at a UK University

Cited by 4 publications

References 27 publications

Correlation research on physical activity and executive function in female college students with subclinical depression

Correlation research on physical activity and executive function in female college students with subclinical depression

Depression among Saudi international university students and its associated risk factors

Depression Among Saudi International University Students and Its Associated Risk Factors.

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