Study of Life Values and need Structure as Determinants of Depression Among College Youths

Abstract

The study found that prevalence of depression was very high among pre university college students in the surveyed colleges. The prevalence and severity of depression levels was found to be significantly more in the older age group students. Students from commerce stream were found to suffer from depression significantly more than students from science stream. Depression levels were seen slightly more among males and students from Government College. Students should be educated about depression to improve recognition and diagnosis. From a public health perspective, this analysis highlights the importance of access to mental health treatment facilities among the college students. The proficiency of the students varies with respect to comprehension of the questions used in the Becks scale. Also the study results on prevalence of depression among pre university students cannot be generalized as depression is a subjective and usually a temporary phenomenon. Several other risk factors associated with depression such as socio economic status of study participants and scholastic performance of students which could influence the depressive mind set of students could not analyzed as these information were not revealed by most participants.

 Keywords: Prevalence, Depression and College Youths.