Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms Among Graduate Students in Science and Technology: A Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Graduate student depression is a growing global concern.
• Existing research lacks multivariable analyses specific to graduate students.
• This study focuses on science and technology graduate students.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate factors contributing to depressive symptoms in science and technology graduate students.
• Address the gap in multivariable analyses for this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 387 graduate students at Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
• Stratified random sampling and self-administered questionnaires.
• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression assessment.
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of moderate/severe depressive symptoms was 23% (95% CI: 19-27).
• Significant factors included financial stress (OR: 2.35), relationship dissolution (OR: 2.22), stressful assignments (OR: 5.09), medium self-esteem (OR: 4.73), and low self-esteem (OR: 10.21).

Conclusions:

• Financial stress, relationship dissolution, academic workload, and self-esteem are key contributors to depression.
• Multivariable analysis identified unique factors associated with depressive symptoms.
• Highlights the need for tailored mental health interventions for science and technology graduate students.