Seasonal mood patterns in a northeastern college sample.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Epidemiology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) research has largely overlooked the college population.
• Seasonality in mood disorders can be viewed as part of a developmental spectrum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of SAD in college students.
• To assess the reliability of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) in a college sample across different academic semesters.
• To explore potential gender differences in SAD symptomatology within this demographic.

Main Methods:

• College students participated in the study during Fall or Spring semesters.
• Participants completed the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) and Beck Depression Inventory twice.
• The SPAQ was evaluated for test-retest reliability across seasons.

Main Results:

• SAD prevalence rates among college students were comparable to those found in adjacent adult populations.
• The SPAQ exhibited strong test-retest reliability when administered in different seasons.
• Gender-specific differences in SAD symptoms were observed exclusively during winter SPAQ administrations.

Conclusions:

• College students represent a relevant population for SAD epidemiological studies.
• The SPAQ is a reliable tool for assessing SAD in college students across seasons.
• Further research into gender differences in SAD during winter is warranted.