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Socioeconomic status and the risk of depression among UK higher education students

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Many university students experience some symptoms of depression during the course of their studies but there is evidence that students from less advantaged backgrounds may be more vulnerable.

Methods

The study was a cross-sectional online survey of 923 undergraduate students attending 6 UK Universities in the academic year 2009–2010 who completed a modified version of the Zagazig Depression Scale (ZDS).

Results

Overall, 58.1 % of female and 59.9 % of male study participants screened positive for depression (ZDS score >10). In the fully adjusted model, final year students (OR = 1.8) who lived in a more deprived area (OR = 2.3) were more likely to report higher rates of depressive symptoms. Additionally, students with high perceived control (OR = 1.6) whose mothers were highly educated (OR = 0.5) and from a family of a high affluence (OR = 0.3) were less likely to suffer from higher rates of depressive symptoms. The relationship between lower social economic status and depression was partly mediated by low sense of control.

Conclusion

Students from less advantaged backgrounds are more at risk of depression but a strong sense of control over one’s life may be protective.

Application

Since depression has strong impact on students’ learning and quality of life universities should consider confidential screening for mental health problems and provide additional support for students.

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Acknowledgments

I am very grateful for the Ministry of Higher Education, Egyptian Government specially Assiut University for sponsoring my whole studies. It is a pleasure to express my deepest gratitude and grateful appreciation to the Students at the Universities of Nottingham, Derby, Nottingham Trent, Newcastle, Sunderland and Sheffield who took part in this study.

Conflict of interest

All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Community Health School, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt

    Ahmed K. Ibrahim

  2. Division of Epidemiology, Community Health Sciences School, D Floor, West Block Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Ahmed K. Ibrahim

  3. Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

    Shona J. Kelly

  4. Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham Innovation Park, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK

    Cris Glazebrook

Authors
  1. Ahmed K. Ibrahim
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  2. Shona J. Kelly
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  3. Cris Glazebrook
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Correspondence to Ahmed K. Ibrahim.

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Ibrahim, A.K., Kelly, S.J. & Glazebrook, C. Socioeconomic status and the risk of depression among UK higher education students. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 48, 1491–1501 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0663-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0663-5

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