College students’ intent to intervene with a hypothetical peer exhibiting depression: Leveraging lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This study assesses college students’ intent to intervene when presented with a hypothetical peer exhibiting depression in one of three scenarios: depression, sadness, and depression in quarantine during COVID-19. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), variations in constructs associated with intent were examined by context (external triggers vs. no trigger), knowledge of, and experience with depression. One hundred and sixteen health sciences students read three vignettes and completed an enhanced TPB questionnaire. Intent to intervene was greater when the vignette target was experiencing depression with external stressors. Prior experience with depression and knowing someone with depression were associated with greater intent to connect the hypothetical peer to counseling resources regardless of vignette scenario. Due to increased mental health concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts promoting awareness of mental illness in peers may benefit from increasing education about stressors and causes of depression that may not be observable.

Keywords:

• Depression
• theory of planned behavior
• mental health education
• college students
• COVID-19 mental health

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of Unites States of America and received approval from James Madison University, where the research was conducted.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.