Depressive Symptoms Among Australian University Students: Who Is at Risk?

Abstract

Objective

University students have a high risk of psychological distress; however, few Australian studies have specifically examined the prevalence of, or risk factors for, depressive symptoms. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students and the characteristics of those with depressive symptoms.

Method

Participants were randomly selected university students at a large metropolitan university in Victoria, Australia. An online survey was administered in May 2009 to assess depressive symptoms using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (dependent variable) and a broad range of independent variables including students' demographic, study, psychosocial, and mental health characteristics. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine characteristics of those with depressive symptoms.

Results

Results estimated the prevalence of mild to extremely severe depressive symptoms as 39.5% among the 800 respondents, with 13% in the severe/extremely severe range. The best‐fit regression model accounted for 63% of variance in depressive symptoms. Factors associated with higher depressive symptomatology included high anxiety, stress, and loneliness, low body appreciation, studying law/management, regular binge drinking, and less physical activity.

Conclusions

The implications of our findings include the need for further action by higher education policy and decision‐makers and more integrated approaches to the development of resilience, mental health promotion, and early intervention among this vulnerable student population.

Key words:

• depressive symptoms
• mental health
• online survey
• risk factors
• stress
• university students