Subjective Health and Health Behaviors as Predictors of Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Ethnic Minority College Students

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between depression, anxiety, and health-related behaviors among ethnic minority students at an urban public university. Five hundred sixty seven students from diverse ethnic backgrounds completed a set of measures to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety, health promoting (e.g., exercise) and health compromising behaviors (e.g., cigarette and alcohol use). Students also rated their current health. Approximately 22% and 27% of participants endorsed clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. No ethnic group differences were found on measures of depression and anxiety among this sample. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed subjective health ratings contributed to the highest proportion of variance for all criterion measures beyond gender. Among health behaviors, results suggest alcohol and cigarette use assert more influence on symptoms of depression and anxiety than exercise.

KEYWORDS:

• ethnic minority
• college
• health-related behaviors
• anxiety
• depression