PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF DEPRESSIVE AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AMONG INCOMING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN HYDERABAD POST ENTRANCE EXAM RESULTS

Introduction: Competitive entrance examinations in India, such as JEE and NEET, impose significant psychological stress, yet mental health outcomes among incoming undergraduates post-results remain underexplored. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among incoming undergraduate students in Hyderabad following 2025 entrance exam results, with a focus on sociodemographic variations. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September, 2025 in Hyderabad, targeting 400 incoming undergraduates who received 2025 entrance exam scores. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling from coaching centers, university campuses, and online platforms. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire incorporating the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms, Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) for suicidal ideation, and sociodemographic/exam-related variables. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.20, with prevalence expressed as percentages and associations assessed via chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results: Among 400 participants (mean age: 18.2 years, 52.5% male), 32.0% exhibited moderate to severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥10), and 16.5% reported lifetime suicidal ideation (10.0% past-month). Higher prevalence was observed among females (36.8% depression, 20.0% ideation), rural residents (39.7%, 23.0%), low-income groups (43.3%, 23.3%), and those disappointed with exam performance (44.7%, 23.7%). Multivariate analyses identified disappointing exam performance (OR=2.3), low income (OR=2.5), and family history of mental health issues (OR=2.4) as significant predictors (p<0.05). Conclusion: The high prevalence of depressive symptoms (32.0%) and suicidal ideation (16.5%), comparable to Indian college students (33.6% depression(1) and medical students (11.1% ideation)(11), underscores the urgent need for post-exam mental health interventions. Universities should prioritize counseling and support systems, particularly for high-risk groups like low-income rural females, to address barriers to help-seeking(5) and foster resilient academic transitions.