DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE GROWING, ESPECIALLY AMONG MINORITIES

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DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE GROWING, ESPECIALLY AMONG MINORITIES


    

Depression and anxiety among college students is a growing public health problem. And new research from the University of Georgia suggests the problem may be worse for students who aren't the same race as most of their peers.

The new study found that students who were not the majority race at a predominantly white college reported significantly higher rates of depression than their white peers.

At the primarily white university, more than half of the students who self-identified as races other than white reported feelings of mild depression. An additional 17% said they were experiencing moderate to severe depression.

Students at the predominantly white institution reported similar anxiety levels, regardless of race, with more than three in every five students saying they experienced mild to severe anxiety levels.

At the historically Black college, students who weren't Black experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression.

"Our study adds to the evidence of how important the work around inclusivity and mental health is in the college environment," said Janani Rajbhandari-Thapa, an associate professor in UGA's College of Public Health. "It's important to be mindful that not all students come with the same background, and we need to support them more."

First-generation students are more likely to suffer from depression

More than 3,100 students participated in the study during the COVID-19 pandemic, answering questions about feelings of hopelessness, sleep issues, and lack of energy, among other topics.

The researchers found that first-generation students were also significantly more likely to experience depression than students who weren't the first to attend college in their families.

All first-generation students surveyed expressed depression, regardless of the institution. Most reported mild symptoms, but more than half at the predominantly white university said they had moderate to severe levels of depression.

"I was an international student myself and can relate to the stresses of settling in during the first semester in the U.S. a little bit," Rajbhandari-Thapa said. "Being a first-generation student and experiencing college for the first time in your family comes with its own challenges and opportunities, and university faculty and staff must work towards addressing the challenges.

"There are trainings and workshops in the workplace, but we need to do more to help new college students feel at home."

Socializing sense of belonging helps safeguard against mental illness

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life for most Americans. College students were particularly hard hit.

Where they would typically socialize and engage in group activities, many were masked and socially distanced, preventing some of that integral interaction that strengthens social bonds. The additional stressors likely increased stress and anxiety, but the researchers suggest that not all groups were affected equally.

Female students, for example, were harder hit with depression and anxiety than their male counterparts, which reflects the more significant social pattern of mental health problems hitting women more intensely.

But the researchers say investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion resources can help students feel more at home on campus, regardless of their race or first-generation status.

"Belonging is so important," Rajbhandari-Thapa said. "I don't think there is ever enough support for first-generation and minority students. Universities are starting to do this already, but it's important that we provide as much support as possible."

Published by the Journal of American College Health, the study was co-authored by Kathryn Chiang, Mitchell Chen Lee, Arial Treankler, and Heather Padilla of the University of Georgia. Additional co-authors include Drs. Emily Anne Vall at Resilient Georgia and Marion Ross Fedrick at the Albany State University.

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