Factors Affecting Depression among First-year Undergraduate Students at A University in Songkhla Province, Thailand

Objective: The purpose of this research was to study factors affecting depression among first-year undergraduate students at a university in Songkhla Province. Theoretical Framework: Psychological factors consist of Self-Esteem (X1), Life satisfaction (X2), Rumination (X3), Problem-solving (X4). Obligation factors consist of Study stress (X5), Taking responsibility for financial obligations (X6). Relationship factors consist of Relationships with friends (X7) and Relationships with family (X8). Methods: Data was collected by surveying 180 students. The research method was a questionnaire consisting of 1) general information about the respondents 2) the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A) to measure levels of depression, and 3) a questionnaire on factors influencing depression, including psychological factors, obligation factors, and relationship factors. The study identified Cronbach's alpha coefficients, which are equal to 0.76 - 0.93 to analyze the average, standard deviation, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results and Discussions: The results found that three factors significantly affect student depression: rumination, self-esteem, and relationship with family. Rumination and self-esteem affect student depression with statistical significance at p<.001 and the relationship with family has a significant effect on student depression at p<.01. These factors can predict 54.70% of the depression of first-year undergraduate students at a university in Songkhla Province (R2 = .547, p < .01). Research Implications: Factors affecting depression among first-year undergraduate students at a university in Songkhla Province included self-esteem, rumination, and relationships with family. Originality/Value: Therefore, the organizations or institutions involved in caring for students should use this as a basis for planning and monitoring depression, paying particular attention to promoting students' self-esteem, management of rumination, and building relationships with families to reduce factors affecting depression for first-year undergraduate students effectively.