Prevalence of subthreshold depression and its related factors in Chinese college students: A cross-sectional study
Pu Ge,
Cheng Tan,
Jia-xin Liu,
Qiong Cai,
Si-qi Zhao,
Wen-ying Hong,
Kun-meng Liu,
Jia-le Qi,
Chen Hu,
Wen-li Yu,
Yi-miao Li,
Yuan You,
Jin-han Guo,
Ming-yan Hao,
Yang Chen,
Lu-tong Pan,
Di-yue Liu,
Meng-yao Yan,
Jin-zi Zhang,
Qi-yu Li,
Bo-ya Sun,
Xiao Han,
Fuer Mo,
Yi-bo Wu,
Ying Bian
Affiliations
Pu Ge
Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China; Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
Cheng Tan
School of Government, Peking University, Beijing, China
Jia-xin Liu
Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
Qiong Cai
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
Si-qi Zhao
Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
Wen-ying Hong
Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
Kun-meng Liu
Center for Medical Artificial Intelligence, Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, China
Jia-le Qi
School of Journalism&Communication, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
Chen Hu
Zijin College of Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, China
Wen-li Yu
School for Sports Humanities and Social Science, Jilin Sport University, Changchun, China
Yi-miao Li
School of Nursing, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
Yuan You
Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
Jin-han Guo
Department of Economics, Belarus State University, Minsk, Belarus
Ming-yan Hao
Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
Yang Chen
College of Clinical Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
Lu-tong Pan
School of Public Health, ShanDong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
Di-yue Liu
International School of Public Health and One Health, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
Meng-yao Yan
School of Health Policy and Management, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
Jin-zi Zhang
School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
Qi-yu Li
School of Humanities and Health Management, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
Bo-ya Sun
Zhejiang University of Media and Communication, Zhejiang, China
Xiao Han
The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sat University, Zhuhai, China
Fuer Mo
Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China; Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
Yi-bo Wu
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; Corresponding author.
Ying Bian
Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macau, China; Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China; Corresponding author. Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of subthreshold depression among Chinese college students and to explore the related factors. Methods: The research subjects were Chinese college students participating in the “2022 Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents (PBICR-2022)''. Data on respondents' general characteristics, quality of life, perceived pressure, family communication, perceived social support, self-efficacy, and depression status were gathered. To investigate the association between each variable and the risk of subthreshold depression, statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and rank sum tests were conducted. Furthermore, a binary stepwise logistic regression was employed to establish the regression model of the factors related to subthreshold depression among Chinese college students. Results: A prevalence of subthreshold depression of about 39.7 % was found among the 8934 respondents. Logistic regression analysis revealed that respondents who are female, have chronic diseases, are in debt, experience significant impacts from epidemic control policies, have lower self-assessed quality of life, experience challenges in family communication, perceive lower social support, have lower self-efficacy, and feel higher perceived pressure are more likely to develop subthreshold depression compared to the control group. (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of subthreshold depression among Chinese college students was found to be approximately 40 %. Female college students suffering from chronic diseases, with households in debt, greatly impacted by epidemic control policies, and experiencing high perceived stress, may be at risk for subthreshold depression among Chinese college students. On the other hand, strong family communication, perceived social support, and self-efficacy were identified as potential protective factors. In order to facilitate timely screening, diagnosis, and treatment of subthreshold depression in Chinese college students, it is crucial for the government, local communities, colleges, and families to prioritize the mental health of college students and implement targeted measures accordingly.
