Depression in university students: Duration, relation to calendar time, prevalence, and demographic correlates.

The duration, relation to calendar time, prevalence, and demographic correlates of depression in university students were studied by administering the Beck Depression Inventory to 4 independent samples (N?=?222) either once or twice at 3 points in time separated by 3-wk intervals. The 3-wk test–retest reliability was .78. There was no significant effect of the 3 points in time sampled. 17% of the Ss scored depressed; of these, 67% still scored depressed 3 wks later. Depression was significantly negatively correlated with year level but was not significantly associated with sex, marital status, their interaction, or age. There was no difference between the rates of depression in lowerclassmen in 1974 and 1977. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)