A Study on the Factors Contributing to Depression Among Students in Higher Education: A Case of DMI St. Eugene University, Zambia

BACKGROUND: One of the most common and crippling disorders among university students is depression, which has made mental health issues within this population a global concern. Numerous studies demonstrate that depression symptoms are common among students around the world and are frequently linked to stressors in the personal, social, academic, and economic spheres. Creating successful interventions requires an understanding of the local context, such as that at DMI St. Eugene. A study among health professions students at the University of Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic found that 86% of participants experienced depression. Significant associated factors included disruptions to income, chronic health conditions, and loss of friends or relatives to COVID-19. Alawieh, S. W., Akoury, S., Azar, J., & Obeid, S. (2024). Financial stress emerges constantly in the literature as a strong contributor to depression and related psychological distress. METHODS: The study was commissioned in the month April 2025 to August 2025. The primary data was collected from 240 students using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview techniques were used for the collection of the data. The data analysis was done using SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: The study highlights several key factors that contribute to depression among students in higher education, particularly at DMI St. Eugene University. Academic pressure, including high workloads and academic competition, is a major risk factor, with significant psychological stress resulting from the demands of university life. Financial challenges, mainly tuition fees and the need to work while studying, also contribute to students' mental health challenges, worsening feelings of anxiety and depression. Finally, individual factors such as low self-esteem and certain personality traits, combined with environmental stressors, are shown to significantly increase the risk of depression.