THE IMPACT OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS ON HEALTH-RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract Objective Depression among university students is a significant public health issue. This study aims to investigate the specific impact of depressive symptoms on the engagement of various health-risk behaviors in this population, to inform targeted interventions and health promotion strategies. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 850 undergraduates recruited via stratified random sampling. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Engagement in health-risk behaviors (substance use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, risky sexual behavior) was measured with a self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression, controlling for key demographics. Results A high prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms (32.5%) was found. Students with moderate to severe depressive symptoms had significantly higher odds of engaging in health-risk behaviors. They were 3.2 times more likely to report binge drinking, 4.1 times more likely to use tobacco, and 2.8 times more likely to be physically inactive compared to students with minimal symptoms. A clear dose–response relationship was observed, linking greater depression severity with increased risk behaviors. Conclusions Depressive symptoms are a strong predictor of health-risk behaviors among university students. These findings highlight the urgent need to integrate mental health screening and psychological support into campus healthcare. Early intervention for depression is crucial for mitigating associated risky behaviors and improving overall student well-being. Acknowledgment This research was supported by study on the mechanism of preventing religious infiltration in universities from the perspective of cultural self-confidence.