Depression and Coping Mechanisms among University Students

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Depresyon ve Başa Çıkma Mekanizmaları: Karşılaştırmalı Analiz

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to estimate and identify the frequency of various coping techniques used among depressed and non-depressed individuals when faced with negative affective state and subsequent life problems. In this cross-sectional study, 2nd and 3rd year university students were selected from four faculties by random sampling including media, pharmacy, medicine and economics yielding a total of 379 students. The prevalence of depression of university students was 26.4%, highest being medical students (42%). Depression levels among males and females was found to be insignificant (p=0.3, >0.05), nor was coping mechanisms, except for substance abuse in males (p=0.03, <0.05). Coping techniques were significantly different for depressed students and non-depressed students, depressed students exhibited a tendency for using maladaptive coping measures such as: self-blame 58% (n=220), venting 57% (n=216) and denial 54% (n=205). In contrast, non-depressed students followed adaptive coping techniques much more frequently, namely, active coping 64% (n=243), planning 61% (n=231) and acceptance 61% (n=231). Prevalence of depression was highest among medical students and factors such as stress and difficulties of medical life were identified.