College nursing students’ prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors: A cross-sectional study

Nursing students experience significant stressors throughout their learning pathways, which can produce various physical and mental health challenges and impact academic achievement. Even so, research covering depressive factors and related aspects among those enrolled in college within Saudi Arabia is sparse. Consequently, our research focuses on examining depressive symptoms and related factors among an applicable student population. The approach undertakes a cross-sectional descriptive methodology, carried out via one Riyadh-based nursing college. Overall, 198 participants returned the assessment, producing a 60% response rate. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, together with the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, were the 2 key instruments utilized for obtaining data. Findings revealed that: depressive symptoms among this student population returned a 50.5% prevalence; in particular, these symptoms are strongly linked with learning status, stress, and anxiety - r = -0.211 and P = .003, r = 0.838 and P < .001, and r = 0.762 and P < .001, respectively, and producing an interpretive power of 70.2%, both stress and anxiety are confirmed as crucial factors for significantly predicting depressive symptoms. Psychological aspects can impact on a nursing student's inclination to approach learning professionals for help. Such aspects need to be reflected upon when setting out plans for supporting emotional health and well-being. Hence, teachers need to organize robust strategies designed to engage with students concerning the issues and challenges they face, pursuing the ultimate aim of facilitating learning pathways and avoiding depressive symptoms.