Factors Associated with Depression Among Undergraduates: A Review of Existing Literature

Depression among undergraduate students is a considerable mental health issue. Understanding the factors associated with depression is important to effectively prevent and to design intervention strategies to mitigate the repercussions of depression. This systematic literature review mainly aims to identify and review the existing academic body of knowledge in relation to ScienceDirect and Scopus databases on the factors associated with depression among undergraduate students. A comprehensive search of ScienceDirect and Scopus databases derived a total of 44 relevant articles published between 2003 to 2023. The review focuses on academic stress, social isolation, financial stress, relationship issues, pre-existing mental health conditions, substance abuse, lack of sleep and fatigue, coping mechanisms and family history and genetics to be factors associated with depression among undergraduates. The implications of these findings highlights the importance of universities and counseling services to focus and implementing stress management programs, providing social support mechanisms, establishing financial support systems during the higher studies, promoting healthy relationships, addressing substance abuse and sleep-related issues, and also providing resources and required support for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions and family history and genetics on depression to better cope up with depression. Future researchers are encouraged to conduct more longitudinal studies, examine underlying mechanisms, explore mediating and moderating factors while considering cultural and contextual factors, and to conduct intervention studies that examines the impact of technology, to enhance the understanding of the factors associated with depression among undergraduate students.