Demographic Predictors and Preventive Strategies of Depression Severity among Undergraduates of Tertiary Institutions in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Depressive symptoms are an important mental health concern among undergraduates. This study examined selected demographic predictors of depression severity and assessed expert-rated preventive strategies among undergraduates of tertiary institutions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. A correlational research design was used. From a population of 12,578 undergraduate students, 408 were selected through multistage sampling and 390 completed questionnaires were suitable for analysis, giving a 95.6% usable response rate. Data were collected using a researcher-adapted demographic questionnaire, the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and a six-item Preventive Strategies of Depression Severity Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, point-biserial correlation, multiple linear regression, means, and standard deviations were used. Depression severity was weakly positively related to age (rpb = .245) and year of study (rpb = .124), and weakly negatively related to gender (rpb = −.140) and living arrangement (rpb = −.117). The regression model was significant, F(5, 384) = 2.48, p = .031, but explained only 3.1% of the variance. Year of study was the only significant individual predictor (β = .120, p = .023). All six preventive strategies were rated appropriate by experts (M = 3.40, SD = 0.64), with mental health screening receiving the highest rating. Tertiary institutions should implement confidential screening, early identification, stigma-reduction education, psychological support, and referral pathways for undergraduate students, particularly those experiencing elevated symptoms or academic and transition-related stress.