Depressive mood states and their cognitive and personality correlates in college students: they improve over time

About 30% of 171 college student respondents reported at least mild dysphoria. Depressed mood states were associated with dysfunctional attitudes and self-esteem problems, but not with gender or self-reported problem-solving ability. Findings about sex role orientation were mixed. The freshmen reported the highest levels of dysphoria, problem-solving difficulties, and dysfunctional attitudes, but there appeared to be consistent, gradual improvements, such that by the senior year students reported significantly less dysphoria. However, a 2-month follow-up found no significant changes in these areas, which suggests that the observed improvements may occur more gradually or may be an artifact of selective attrition from college. Implications of the results and directions for future research were discussed.