Factors Predictive of Depression in First-Year College Students

Starting college is a challenging time for first-year students and is often accompanied by emotions such as depression, which can negatively affect academic performance and quality of life. This descriptive correlational study examined stress, coping, depressive symptomology, spirituality, and social support in a convenience sample of first-year students ( N = 188) from two private colleges. Results indicated that 45% of students demonstrated greater than average levels of stress and 48% reported clinically significant depressive symptomology. Significant relationships existed between depressive symptoms and stress ( p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms and social support ( p < 0.01). Less social support was associated with more stress ( p < 0.01). The results suggested that interventions targeting stress reduction in first-year students should be considered for decreasing depressive symptoms to enhance their college experience. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services , 53 (2), 38–44.]