Comparison of Depression Rate Between the First- and Final-Year Nursing Students in Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract

Background

Depression can affect nursing students’ quality of life, academic performance, and clinical self-efficacy and may interfere with their relationship with patients. The purpose of this study was to compare of depression rate between the first- and final-year nursing students in Kermanshah, Iran.

Methods

In this descriptive–analytical study, 60 first-year and 42 last-year nursing students were enrolled. The participants were chosen using the census sampling method. The data collection tool was Beck’s Depression Inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

In our study, 61.7% (n = 37) of the first year and 38.1% (n = 16) of the last year students had varying degrees of depression. The rate of depression was significantly higher in first-year students than last-year students (p = 0.013).

Discussion

Given the relatively high rate of depression among nursing students, the need for targeted planning to control their mental health, especially in the first year of study, is of importance.

Keywords:

• prevalence
• depression
• nursing
• students

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the students who participated in this study. We also extend our thanks to clinical research development center of Imam Reza Hospital affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences for their kind support.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.