A Study on Korean University Students’ Depression and Anxiety

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence depression among university students in Korea. The subjects of this study were students attending N university, and the survey was conducted in 2014. Answer sheets from 375 respondents were gathered, and 353 of them were analyzed except for 22 incomplete ones. The level of depression of the university students was 1.58±0.51 point and the level of anxiety of the university students was 2.04±0.60 point. Multiple regression was conducted to examine the effects of risk factors on depression. Peer support (t=-4.164, p<.001) and aggression (t=11.497, p<.001) were found to be factors significantly associated with depression. These variables explained 37.0% of depression among university students. Multiple regression was conducted to examine the effects of risk factors on anxiety. Gender (t=2.406, p=.017) and aggression (t=10.623 p<.001) were found to be factors significantly associated with anxiety. These variables explained 29.7% of anxiety among university students. Based on the findings of this study, school health professionals should assess important factors influencing depression and anxiety and develop continuously intervention strategies to reduce depression and anxiety among university students.Keywords: Aggression, Anxiety, Depression, Peer Support, University Students