Determinants of Depression among Young Adults in Selected Colleges in Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Mental health is vital for overall well-being, enabling individuals to cope with stress, function effectively and engage in society. Depression contributes significantly to the disease burden, especially among young adults facing academic, financial and social pressures. Despite global and national efforts, stigma and limited access to care remain barriers. Tamil Nadu has a high prevalence of mental health disorders, with young adults particularly at risk. Identifying prevalence and risk factors of depression is crucial for developing targeted interventions and reducing stigma. Aim: To assess the association between selected sociodemographic, lifestyle and social determinants and depression among young adults in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 undergraduate college students aged 18 to 25 years enrolled in various courses at medical, allied health sciences and engineering colleges in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India, from September 2024 to November 2024. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, social interactions and co-morbidities were assessed. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise data. Bivariate logistic regression was applied to identify associated factors, followed by multivariate logistic regression for variables with a p-value<0.05 considered to be significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 20.63±1.49 years. Depression was observed among 165 (38.9%). Among those with depression, 53 (32.3%) had minimal, 48 (28.8%) mild, 40 (24.3%) moderate, 16 (9.9%) moderately severe and 8 (4.7%) severe depression. Depression was significantly associated with age ≤20 years (p-value=0.028), type of college (p-value=0.013), family structure (p-value=0.030), father’s occupation (p-value <0.001), and limited social interaction (p-value=0.002). Conclusion: A high prevalence of depression was observed among college-going young adults in the Chengalpattu district. Younger age, academic discipline, family structure, parental occupation and reduced social interaction were key determinants. This highlights the importance of early intervention, lifestyle changes and enhanced social support systems to effectively address growing mental health challenges.