The association between stressful life events and depressive symptoms among Cypriot university students: a cross-sectional descriptive correlational study
Journal
BMC Public Health
Date Issued
December 5, 2013
DOI
10.1186/1471-2458-13-1121
Abstract
Background: Previous findings suggest that stressful life events have a causal relationship with depressive
symptoms. However, to date little is known concerning the contribution of the number and severity of recent
stressful life events on the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students. The aim of this study
was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with the number and the severity of
self-reported stressful life events among university students in Cyprus.
Methods: A descriptive correlational design with cross sectional comparison was used. The CES-D scale was applied
for the assessment of depressive symptoms and the LESS instrument for stressful life events. Both scales were
completed anonymously and voluntarily by 1.500 students (response rate 85%).
Results: The prevalence of mild to moderate depressive symptoms [CES-D score between 16 and 21] and of
clinically significant depressive symptoms [CES-D score ≥ 22] were 18.8% and 25.3% respectively. There were
statistically significant differences in clinically significant depressive symptoms by gender, with higher rates among
women (x2 = 8.53, df = 1, p = 0.003). Higher scores on the LESS scale were associated with more frequent reports of
clinical depressive symptoms (x2 = 70.63, df = 4, p < 0.001). Similarly, an association was found between the number
of life events and clinical depressive symptoms (x2 = 40.06, df = 4, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis after
adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics confirmed that the responders who reported a high number
(n = 12–21) of stressful life events during the previous year (OR = 2.64 95% CI: 1.02, 6.83) and a severe degree of
stress due to these events (total LESS score > 351, OR = 3.03 95% CI: 1.66, 5.39) were more likely to manifest clinical
depressive symptoms.
Conclusions: The high frequency of occurrence of depressive symptoms among Cypriot university students, as well
as the strong association with stressful life events, highlights the need for psychological empowerment strategies
towards students by institutional counseling services.
symptoms. However, to date little is known concerning the contribution of the number and severity of recent
stressful life events on the prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students. The aim of this study
was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with the number and the severity of
self-reported stressful life events among university students in Cyprus.
Methods: A descriptive correlational design with cross sectional comparison was used. The CES-D scale was applied
for the assessment of depressive symptoms and the LESS instrument for stressful life events. Both scales were
completed anonymously and voluntarily by 1.500 students (response rate 85%).
Results: The prevalence of mild to moderate depressive symptoms [CES-D score between 16 and 21] and of
clinically significant depressive symptoms [CES-D score ≥ 22] were 18.8% and 25.3% respectively. There were
statistically significant differences in clinically significant depressive symptoms by gender, with higher rates among
women (x2 = 8.53, df = 1, p = 0.003). Higher scores on the LESS scale were associated with more frequent reports of
clinical depressive symptoms (x2 = 70.63, df = 4, p < 0.001). Similarly, an association was found between the number
of life events and clinical depressive symptoms (x2 = 40.06, df = 4, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis after
adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics confirmed that the responders who reported a high number
(n = 12–21) of stressful life events during the previous year (OR = 2.64 95% CI: 1.02, 6.83) and a severe degree of
stress due to these events (total LESS score > 351, OR = 3.03 95% CI: 1.66, 5.39) were more likely to manifest clinical
depressive symptoms.
Conclusions: The high frequency of occurrence of depressive symptoms among Cypriot university students, as well
as the strong association with stressful life events, highlights the need for psychological empowerment strategies
towards students by institutional counseling services.
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