Causative factors of depression among health science under graduate students Universities in Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

     This causal-comparative research conducted in this study aimed to develop and validate a causal relationship model of depression among undergraduate health science students in Ubon Ratchathani province. The sample consisted of 495 students selected through proportional stratified random sampling. A validated seven-part questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

     The findings revealed that the majority of participants were female (71.3%) with a median age of 20. While most students (62.22%) did not exhibit depressive symptoms, a notable 37.78% experienced depression ranging from mild to severe levels. The developed causal model demonstrated a good fit with the empirical data, explaining 82.6% of the variance in depression (R² = 0.826). Stress (β = 0.529) and rumination (β = 0.335) were identified as significant direct positive predictors of depression, whereas positive psychological capital had a direct negative effect (β = -0.106). Negative life events indirectly influenced depression by increasing rumination and stress. Social support and positive psychological capital acted as protective factors by reducing stress and rumination.