According to a recent study, students who did not belong to the majority race at a primarily white college experienced much higher rates of depression than their white counterparts.
More than half of the students who self-identified as races other than white at the largely white campus reported mild depression. Another 17% claimed they were suffering from moderate to severe depression.
Students at the largely white college reported equal levels of anxiety, regardless of race, with more than three out of every five reporting mild to severe anxiety. Students who were not Black had greater rates of anxiety and sadness at the historically Black college.
“Our study adds to the evidence of how important the work around inclusivity and mental health is in the college environment. It’s important to be mindful that not all students come with the same background, and we need to support them more,”
said Janani Rajbhandari-Thapa, an associate professor in the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health.
Not Addressing the Challenges
During the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 3,100 students took part in the study, answering questions regarding hopelessness, sleep problems, and a lack of vitality, among other things.
The researchers discovered that first-generation students were much more likely to experience sadness than students who were not the first in their families to attend college.
All first-generation students surveyed reported that they had some level of depression, regardless of the institution. Most reported mild symptoms, but more than half at the predominantly white university said they had moderate to severe levels of depression.
“I was an international student myself and can relate to the stresses of settling in during the first semester in the US a little bit. Being a first-generation student and experiencing college for the first time in your family comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities, and it is important that university faculty and staff work towards addressing the challenges. There are trainings and workshops in the workplace, but we need to do more to help new college students feel at home,”
said Rajbhandari-Thapa.
Pandemic Disruption
The COVID-19 pandemic affected most Americans’ daily lives. Students in college were particularly heavily affected.
Where they would normally be socializing and engaging in group activities, many were masked up and socially distanced, preventing some of that integral interaction that strengthens social bonds. The additional stressors likely led to increases in stress and anxiety, but the researchers suggest that not all groups were affected equally.
For instance, compared to their male peers, female students experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression. This is indicative of a broader societal trend where women are more likely to experience mental health issues.
However, the researchers believe that investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion tools can assist students, regardless of race or first-generation status, feel more at home on campus.
“Belonging is so important. I don’t think there is ever enough support for first-generation and minority students. Universities are starting to do this already, but it’s important that we provide as much support as possible,”
Rajbhandari-Thapa said.
Abstract
Objective: To assess depression and anxiety among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with race.
Participants: Using a cross-sectional survey, depression and anxiety among college students at a Predominantly White (PWU) and a Historically Black University (HBU) during 2021 were evaluated.
Methods: The patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), general anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), and self-reported sociodemographic characteristics were collected. Chi-square and logistic regression tests examined differences in depression and anxiety based on race.
Results: Depression and anxiety among 3,102 students (87% female) were analyzed. Minority racial groups were associated with anxiety (p < 0.01) but not depression in the PWU. Moderately severe and severe depression was higher among the minority race at both the universities (1.76% compared to 0.53% at PWU, and 11.1% compared to 2.4% at HBU).
Conclusions: Depression and anxiety among college students is influenced by racial status. First-generation students were more likely to report depression in both HBU and PWU.
Reference:
- Rajbhandari-Thapa, Janani et al. Depression and anxiety among college students at Historically Black and Predominantly White universities during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Journal of American college health : J of ACH, 1-8. 24 Jul. 2023, doi:10.1080/07448481.2023.2230297
Last Updated on November 11, 2023