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Running head: Depression In College Students 1

Depression In College Students

Arshalisha Abellera

Toby Nicolas

Cathrina Magtoto

EN111-09

University of Guam
Depression in College Students 2

Abstract

Objective: This paper will explain how depression forms, the effects of depression on college

students academics, and how college students can cope with depression. Purpose: In addition,

this paper will enlighten readers about the real problems or threats depression can produce to

those college students who possess the mental illness. Methodology: Gathered information from

online databases (UOG RFK library), scholarly/academic articles and journals, and from print

books about the topic. Results: Most of the stressors of college students have to deal with

actually being in college. The effects of depression on college students can hinder their abilities

to learn during class, staying focused on their academic, and being productive, in terms of doing

homework and studying. College students who are depressed can cope with depression, by

means of, talking to someone, therapy, physical activities, etc. Implications: Our research can

further educate college students about depression, and how they can cope with it.

Keywords: coping, depression, stressors


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Depression in college students

Depression is a mental health illness that can provoke many feelings of anxiety, stress,

and sadness (Nydegger, 2016). One of the most notorious groups of people having depression is

college students. College students may face many obstacles in school like financial, pressure

from family, roommate issues and more. Nevertheless, depression can be coped with and

minimize. Depression in college students can be a distraction, and it can affect a student's

chance of succeeding in college. This study is meant to enlighten readers about the problems

depression poses on college students academics. In addition, this also helps readers learn how to

cope with or minimize depression if they have the mental illness. Depression is a serious mental

illness that people should be aware of, in terms of how it develops, how it can affect college

students academics, and how students can cope with it. The many side effects of depression can

hinder a college students ability to learn. In this research, we will be talking about what triggers

depression in some college students, how depression can obstruct a students academics, and

how college students can cope with or minimize depression.

Literature Review

Depression is unavoidable when it comes to college students, especially as college

students starts to realize the reality of adulthood (Bland, Melton, Bigham, & Welle, 2014).

College students do not just develop depression right away because depression takes time.

Usually, most college students develop depression because they have a high level of stress.

Attending college as students can result in many external stressors (Aselton, 2012). The major

external stressors we would be talking about are roommate issues, academic concerns, financial

concern, and pressure from family. One of the first external stressors Aselton (2012) talks about
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is roommate issues. The number one major stress for college students stress is being roommates

with strangers. College students, when moving into a dorm, cannot help but wonder whether or

not they will like their roommate. It is a matter of whether college students could trust, and work

with the person they are going to live with for their whole dorm life. Another external stressor

Aselton (2012) talks about academic problem. Having good grades or grade point average

(GPA) has been a major concern for students because, when in college, every student would

want to pass their classes, and not fail it. If students in college fail one of their classes, it will

result in them not moving to a higher level course, for that subject (math, English, etc.), in

addition, it will also be a waste of their money and time. Thus, it is a necessity for college

students, especially undergraduates, to pass all their classes, to be able to move on to upper

division classes/courses. Another major external stressor for college students is having a

financial concern (Aselton, 2012). College is very expensive, nowadays, a student cannot even

pay the college tuition when they are already working two jobs. The moderate college tuition fee

for in-state public college averaged $24,610, and for private colleges, the moderate average is

$49,320, based on 2016-2017 academic year. Besides the tuition fee, students also have to pay

for their books, housing, and meals, which can be very expensive. At a four-year public school,

the average cost for a room is $10,440, and for private schools, the cost for a room is $11,890

(Whats the price tag for a college education?, 2017). Although there are many scholarships

and grants available for students, not all students are able to receive one, which can be very

stressful for students who did not receive any scholarship and grant. Last external stressor, is

pressure from family (Aselton, 2012). The majority of the decisions a college student make is

based on what their family wants. Family can be the biggest influence in a students life, or, they
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could be the biggest obstacle in a students life. With an excessive amount of stress, college

students can fall into depression, and it can actually get in the way of their college

work/academia.

Being depressed, or the symptoms of depression is a big obstacle for college students

who have the mental-illness. The symptoms of depression can interfere with a persons ability

to function (Nydegger, 2016). In the case of a college student, it would be bad for them to have

depression because they would not be able to do any of their homework and to stay focus in their

school life. Based on Nydegger (2016), one of the symptoms of depression is feeling

worthlessness. When a college student feel worthlessness, it would be easier for them to give up.

In addition, many depressed college students are unable to participate to do any activity, and also

do any work; because depression can lower activity, as well as, energy level of a person. Even

focusing in class is something a depressed college student cannot do because of his/her lack of

motivation (Nydegger, 2016). College students should be aware of what the symptoms and

effects of depression, and they should also be able to learn how to cope with having depression.

Lester (2014), states that for past attempts at suicide, college stress was the only

statistically significant predictor (College student stressors, depression, and suicidal ideation).

Depression can be a real threat to anyone when not avoided early because long time depression

can result in suicide ideations. There are some ways college students cope with their stress to

minimize their chances of getting depressed, seeking professional guidance and physical activity.

From Aseltons (2012) research college students need to seek professionals for guidance.

However, females and males are different when it comes to seeking help. Based on Tang et al.s

(2014) research, college depression or college students with depression are found higher in males
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than females, yet, there are only a few depressed college males willing to seek help. Tang et al.

suggested that college males student sees depression as a weakness or seen as incongruent with

masculine ideals (as cited in Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005). However, seeking guidance is

not the only way to cope with depression. Physical activity is a way to cope with depression

because people who are active can reduce their level of stress, can develop a positive health

behaviors, and can motivate and increase energy levels in depressed college students (Abbas,

2011).

Hypothesis 1: Depression is a result of an excessive amount of stress.

Hypothesis 2: Depression can affect a college students ability to learn.

Hypothesis 3: A college student is able to cope with depression.

Methodology

Materials:

Majority of the informations used in this research paper are from scholarly articles,

academic journals, print books about the topic, and some online databases.

Procedure:

We gathered information by means of going to the library and looking up books that can

possibly help us without research. Also, through RFK Library and Google Scholars, we are able

to find scholarly articles and academic journals to help solve or research questions. We carefully

analyze each source by creating an annotated bibliography and writing information for each

source. To find out whether we will use a source, we create a series of research questions. When

we find that a source would not be able to answer our research questions, we would put that

unwanted source to the side, just in case it is needed during the writing of our research paper.
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Each one of us authored a section of the paper. Abellera wrote the abstract, literature review, and

the methodology. Nicolas, on the other hand, wrote the introduction, results, as well as, the

discussion. Finally, Magtoto wrote the conclusion and proofread the whole research paper to

enable her to make corrections and better our research paper.

Results

Through extensive research, we have concluded the main factors that contribute to

depression in some college students. One of the main factors that trigger depression in college

students is stress. According to Aselton (2012), stress is the reason that college students get

depressed. Furthermore, she continues to state where the stress comes from. Financial and

career concerns, pressure from family, roommate problems, academics/grades, college as a new

environment, insecurities, and making significant life decisions are all the sources of stress in a

college student. Because of all these stressors, students would not be able to focus well in school

and or studying. Instead of focusing on school, students would spend more time trying to deal

with their depression. Since these students are spending most of their time dealing with their

mental health illness, they would shift their focus to that over their studies. Thus, the effects of

depression can hinder a students ability to learn.

Another research question is, how can depression obstruct a students academics?

Nydeggar (2016), states that The symptoms of depression can interfere with a persons ability

to function. He continues to add the symptoms of depression include a depressed mood and

lack of interest. I believe that if a student is not in a good mood but a depressed mood, then it

would alter their mindset, and they might lack the motivation to finish their work or to study. I

also think that if a student uninterested in a subject or class, then they would not want to do the
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work or study for that class. A student would lose his or her motivation because the class is

uninteresting to them. He further states some other symptoms of depression are reduced energy

levels, difficulty in thinking positively, and lack of cognitive and intellectual efficiency.

Reduced energy levels in depressed college students are a hindrance to their academics. If a

student has reduced energy in class, then they would be less active in class. This means not

paying attention as often, sleeping, dozing off, and not listening or learning in class. Thinking

positively is an essential part of being an effective student. Without thinking positively, students

are more likely to have a negative paradigm causing them to be discouraged to do their

homework, ask questions in class, and study for tests. When someone is depressed, then they

lack cognitive and intellectual efficiency. This is saying that the brain is not functioning well

due to the depression that a person is going through. Since the brain is slower and less efficient

at processing information, then it would be hard for a student to try to learn when they have

depression.

Our last research question asks, how can college students cope with or minimize depression?

Aselton (2012) says that you need to seek professionals for guidance. Professionals like

therapists or counselors are the best at helping someone cope with depression because that is

their job, and thats what they studied for in college. Another way to cope with or minimize

depression is to do some physical activity. Physical activity helps students cope with depression

by taking their mind off of depression to another activity. This exercise not only helps the body

but the mind as well. Although depression can hinder a college student's growth in learning,

professional help or physical activity can help students cope with depression.

Conclusion
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Overall, coping with depression and dealing with the problems that it brings to a person

can be very difficult because depression can progress and develop easily if not given any

attention. Depression can be caused by so many factors. Things such as family issues, personal

problems like health issues and financial problems can cause these things. These issues along

with overloading of homework and things to study for can develop depression. Balancing time

from school, work and other responsibilities as a college student can be a challenge. Facing these

issues is what develops depression the most. Depression also causes a lot of negative effects on

a person. They can have a loss of interest in things that they used to be interested in. It can also

make a person have low self esteem or develop feelings of guilt and unfortunately, make a

person lose sleep. A depressed person will feel tired and most especially make them lose their

concentration which highly affects their studies. Although depression is an existing problem

among students today, talking about ones depression with a person, preferably a professional

can help a lot. Doing physical activities can also help a depressed person cope. In conclusion, not

only does depression hinder a students ability to learn in class, disable a student to focus in

academics or doing homework and studying, but it also blocks students from doing a lot of thing

outside of school. By being aware of how depression develops and how to cope with it,

depression can be prevented from happening among college students and everyone else.
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References

Abbas, Y., Abbasi, N.M., Vahidi, R., Najafipoor, F., & Farshi, M.G. (2011). Effect of exercise

on

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Citations

Abbas, Y., N. M. Abbasi, R. Vahidi, F. Najafipoor, and M. G. Farshi. "Effect of Exercise on

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Diagnosed With Depression." Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing25.3

(2012): 119-23.

Bland, Helen W., et al. "Quantifying the Impact of Physical Activity on Stress Tolerance in

College Students." College Student Journal, vol. 48, no. 4, Winter2014, pp. 559-568.

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