Cited by 64Mental Health Treatment and AccessStudent Stress and CopingHealthcare professionals’ stress and burnout

Depressive symptoms and social demographic, stress and health risk behaviour among university students in 26 low-, middle- and high-income countries

Peltzer, Karl, Pengpid, Supa·2015·International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and association between depressive symptoms, sociodemographic, social and health risk variables among undergraduate students in 26 low, middle and high income countries. METHOD: Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 20222 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.8, SD = 2.8) from 27 universities in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America. RESULTS: Overall study participants had a prevalence of 24.0 % moderate and 12.8 % severe depressive symptoms. In multivariate logistic regression, demographic and social variables (being female gender, low organised religious activity, lack of social support and lack of personal control), stressful or traumatic life events (sexual violence and physical child abuse) and health risk behaviour (tobacco use, insufficient brushing of teeth, irregular sleep duration, increased salt intake, infrequent meals a day, heavy internet use and having sustained an injury) were associated with severe depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: High rates of depressive symptoms were found. Several risk factors including social and health risk behaviour variables were identified which can be utilised in guiding interventions.

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Crossref · 10.3109/13651501.2015.1082598

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Authors
Peltzer, K., & Pengpid, S.
Affiliations
  • Human Sciences Research Council (ZA)
  • Mahidol University (TH)
Corresponding author
Peltzer, Karl
Venue
International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice
Published
2015-09-23
Volume
19
Issue
4
Pages
259-265
ISSN
  • 1365-1501 (ISSN-L)
  • 1471-1788
OpenAlex
W2122500657
Cited by
64
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3
FWCI
4.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
Keywords
depressive symptoms, university students, prevalence, sociodemographic factors, social support, religious activities, personal control, life events, sexual violence, child abuse, health risk behaviors, tobacco use, sleep duration, salt intake, internet use, injuries, low- and middle-income countries
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Africa, Asia, Depression, Female, Humans, Latin America, Male, Risk Factors, Students, Universities, Global Health, Prevalence, Caribbean Region, Young Adult

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