Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among university students: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT The prevalence of mental health problems in university students is increasing and attributable to various factors. We examine the protective and risk factors of depressive symptoms among a cross-section of 251 university students. Results showed 40.2% of students reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that perceived stress and maladaptive coping were positively associated with depressive symptoms, whereas adaptive coping and perceived support was inversely related to depressive symptoms. Findings highlight the need for psychological empowerment strategies in students to manage various stressors more effectively and the importance of enhancing social support as a valuable resource for university students.