Abstract

HEXSEL, Giovana; SCARABELOT, Karoline; CLAUMANN, Gaia  and  PELEGRINI, Andreia. Depressive symptoms in college students: prevalence and associated factors. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2023, vol.24, n.3, pp.894-906.  Epub Dec 31, 2023. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/23psd240309.

820 university students from a public educational institution in Santa Catarina were investigated in order to verify the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms. Sociodemographic information, sexual orientation, area of knowledge, study shift, body mass index, level of physical activity, symptoms of eating disorders, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms were collected. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 12.8% (women: 16.6%, men: 8.0%; p <0.001). The groups likely to have depressive symptoms are students with low and average self-esteem, the arts and the humanities and education, with overweight/obese, insufficient levels of physical activity and with symptoms of eating disorders. Considering the importance of experience in higher education, in the personal and professional life of individuals, the need for early intervention with university students is emphasized, promoting a healthy and adequate environment for the cognitive and individual development of students.

Keywords : Depressive symptoms; Physical activity; Self-esteem; College students; Mental health.

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