Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Depression prevalence in college students is three to six times higher than US
adults. Counseling utilization increased by 30%–40% despite reports of student unwillingness to
pursue therapy. Pursuance of alternative options, like exercise or meditation, is rarely reported. This
study examined students’ willingness to seek depression treatment through university mental health
services (UMHS) and alternative options (AO).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross‑sectional study. Students (n = 780) completed
a survey including validated depression and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness instruments. Yes/
Maybe/No responses regarding willingness to seek UMHS and AO were analyzed for associations
with demographics, depression status, and fitness level. Descriptive and inferential analyses were
employed.
RESULTS: Students were more likely to select “Yes” for AO than UMHS (Χ2 = 104.145,
P < 0.001). Low‑fit students (Χ2 = 8.35, P = 0.02) and those in depression treatment (Χ2 = 15.182,
P < 0.001) selected “Yes” to UMHS more often than expected. Younger (Χ2 = 7.893, P = 0.02),
nondepressed (Χ2 = 7.355, P = 0.03), and fit students (Χ2 = 10.617, P = 0.005) chose “Yes” while
males selected “No” (Χ2 = 8.99, P = 0.01) more often than expected for AO. Approximately 31% of
students reported having moderate‑to‑severe depression, 7.8% were in treatment, and 55% were
classified as having low fitness levels.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study should be considered when developing antidepressant
programming on university campuses.
Keywords
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