A social work study on factors contributing to a high rate of depression amongst university students from the age of 19 - 23 years

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the increase in depression amongst university students has become a global concern. In attempting to understand the increase in the prevalence of depression amongst university students, it is therefore important to look at the key contributory factors resulting in this phenomenon. The high rate of depression and other mental health conditions among university students also indicates the need for preventative social work intervention, with the development of adequate and appropriate social support services for students. This study suggests a need to address a variety of factors affecting the mental health state of students. The purpose of this research highlights factors that explain the recent increase in depression among this generation. The findings, conclusion and recommendations of this study are hoped to help explain the factors behind the increasing rate of depression among university students. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the factors contributing to an increase in the rate of depression amongst university students in the age group of 19-23 years. A qualitative research approach was utilised to gain an understanding of the factors contributing to the high rate in depression amongst university students from the age of 19-23 years. A case study, specifically collective case study research design, was employed. The sample was selected using purposive sampling. Data was acquired from students by means of in-depth interviews, through the virtual platform. Data was analysed according to thematic analysis and Lincoln and Guba’s model (1999) was employed to ensure the trustworthiness of the study. Throughout the study, the ethical considerations observed were informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, anonymity, the right not to be harmed, preparation of participants and management of information. Becks’ Cognitive Theory of Depression was used as a theoretical framework to guide this study. It was revealed that there are a number of factors that contribute to the development of depression amongst university students. The study revealed that participants’ background and early life, high school experiences, participants’ personal circumstances and living arrangements and personal factors were contributory factors to depression among university students in the age group of 19-23 years. The study also revealed that support systems like family support, support provided on campus and strong faith, played a significant role in assisting students to manage depression more effectively.

Oor die afgelope paar dekades is die toename in depressie onder universiteitstudente 'n wêreldwye bekommernis. In 'n poging om die toename in die voorkoms van depressie onder universiteitstudente te verstaan, is dit dus belangrik om te kyk na die belangrikste bydraende faktore wat tot hierdie verskynsel lei. Die hoë koers van depressie en ander geestesgesondheidstoestande onder universiteitstudente dui ook op die behoefte aan voorkomende maatskaplikewerk-intervensie, met die ontwikkeling van voldoende en toepaslike maatskaplike ondersteuningsdienste vir studente. Hierdie studie dui op 'n behoefte om 'n verskeidenheid faktore aan te spreek wat die geestesgesondheidstoestand van studente beïnvloed. Die doel van hierdie navorsing beklemtoon faktore wat die onlangse toename in depressie onder hierdie generasie verklaar. Die bevindinge, gevolgtrekking en aanbevelings van hierdie studie word gehoop om 'n begrip te gee van die faktore agter die toenemende koers van depressie onder universiteitstudente. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die faktore wat bydra tot 'n toename in die koers van depressie onder universiteitstudente in die ouderdomsgroep van 19-23 jaar te verken en te beskryf. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is gebruik om 'n begrip te verkry van die faktore wat bydra tot hoë koers in depressie onder universiteitstudente vanaf die ouderdom van 19-23 jaar. 'n Gevallestudie, spesifiek kollektiewe gevallestudie-navorsingsontwerp, is gebruik. Die monster is geselekteer met behulp van doelgerigte steekproefneming. Data is van studente ingesamel deur middel van in-diepte onderhoude, deur die virtuele platform. Data is volgens tematiese analise, ontleed en Lincoln en Guba se model (1999) is aangewend om die betroubaarheid van die studie te verseker. Dwarsdeur die studie is die volgende etiese oorwegings waargeneem: ingeligte toestemming, privaatheid, vertroulikheid, anonimiteit, die reg om nie benadeel te word nie, voorbereiding van deelnemers en bestuur van inligting. Becks se kognitiewe teorie van depressie is as 'n teoretiese raamwerk gebruik om hierdie studie te rig. Dit is aan die lig gebring dat daar 'n aantal faktore bydra tot die ontwikkeling van depressie onder universiteitstudente. Die studie het aan die lig gebring dat deelnemers se agtergrond en vroeë lewe, hoërskoolervarings, deelnemers se persoonlike omstandighede en lewensreëlings en persoonlike faktore bydraende faktore was tot depressie onder universiteitstudente in die ouderdomsgroep van 19-23 jaar. Die studeer het ook aan die lig gebring dat ondersteuningstelsels soos gesinsondersteuning, ondersteuning op kampus en sterk geloof 'n beduidende rol gespeel het om studente te help om depressie meer effektief te oorkom.