An intersectional approach to understanding the correlates of depression in college students: Discrimination, social status, and identity

Abstract

Objective

We assessed the impact of bearing multiple marginalized identities, experiencing discrimination and perceived social status on the prevalence of depression in college students using an intersectional approach.

Participants

Public health students at a diverse urban public university in Northern California (N = 338, response rate = 85%; 77% women, mean age 22).

Methods

We used a cross-sectional survey to assess demographics, depression, discrimination and social standing using validated scales and estimate the relations between depression and co-factors.

Results

25.4% of students reported depression. Discrimination was associated with a higher level of depression and more severe symptoms. Higher perceived social status was associated with a lower level of depression and less severe symptoms. Hispanic/Latinx first generation women had three times the prevalence of depression as non-Hispanic/Latinx non-first generation men and there was a significant disparity in depression severity.

Conclusions

Intersectional approaches can shed light on the experiences of marginalized groups.

Keywords:

• Depression
• discrimination
• Hispanic/Latinx
• intersectionality
• socioeconomic status

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of San José State University.