Self-Reported Depressive Symptomatology Among University Students: Evidence from the PROTEGER-SE Project

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Depressive symptomatology (n=350). Intervention: Female sex and Humanities field of study. Primary outcome: Depressive symptomatology severity and perceived improvement.

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Female sex is associated with higher depressive symptomatology severity among university students seeking online mental health support, with one-third of these students exhibiting severe symptoms. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Karine Santana de Azevedo Zago; Raissa Pereira Dutra; Clesnan Mendes‐Rodrigues; Amanda Viana Hortêncio; Analicy Rodrigues Xavier; Sarah Campos Moura Rabelo; Gustavo Henrique Borges de Souza; Felipe Rodrigues Torres; Polyana Alvarenga Matumoto; M C O Silva; Hélder Eterno da Silveira; Elaine Saraiva Calderari; Tiago Rocha Pinto; Ricardo Wagner Machado da Silveira; Cynthia Daniela Figueiredo de Souza; Tatiana Benevides Magalhães Braga; Marciana Gonçalves Farinha; Luiza Pereira Silva Assis; Beatriz da Silva Vieira; Fabíola Alves Gomes

doi:10.3390/psychiatryint7030136

Key result

Female sex links to worse depressive symptoms among university students, with ~33% reporting severe cases.

n=350

Why the study?

The study aimed to assess self-reported depressive symptomatology using the PHQ-9 among university students during their first therapeutic online consultation and intervention at the PROTEGER-SE Project.

What is the prevalence and severity of self-reported depressive symptomatology among university students seeking online consultation, and what factors predict perceived improvement?

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the self-reported depressive symptoms among university students during initial consultations.
Cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 350 records from university students collected from 2020 to 2023.
Utilized the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for screening depressive symptoms.
Conducted logistic regression to explore associations between demographics and symptom severity.
One-third of the students reported severe depressive symptoms.
Female students exhibited higher severity of depressive symptoms.
Lower PHQ-9 scores and enrollment in the Humanities predicted perceived improvement after consultation.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=350)

Structured PICO

What is the prevalence and severity of self-reported depressive symptomatology among university students seeking online consultation, and what factors predict perceived improvement?

P

Population

350 university students assessed for depressive symptomatology using the PHQ-9 during their first therapeutic online consultation between 2020 and 2023.

E

Exposure

First therapeutic online consultation and intervention at PROTEGER-SE Project

O

Outcome

Self-reported depressive symptomatology assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)patient reported

A significant proportion of university students seeking online mental health support present with moderate to severe depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for university-based mental health services.

Implication

Alerts clinicians to screen for depression in university consultations; cross-sectional data leaves open causal links and treatment effects.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the self-reported depressive symptomatology of university students during their first therapeutic online consultation and intervention at PROTEGER-SE Project, using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) as a screening instrument. A cross-sectional, retrospective, and analytical study was conducted with 350 records of university students from 2020–2023 collected immediately after their first appointment. Many students presented moderate to severe depressive symptoms, with one-third classified as severe. Logistic regression showed that female sex was associated with higher symptomatology severity, while lower PHQ-9 scores and Humanities field of study enrollment predicted perceived improvement after consultation. Findings reinforce the importance of university-based mental health support, gender-sensitive approaches, and the systematic use of PHQ-9 for early screening and continuous monitoring.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Zago et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Depressive symptomatology (n=350). Female sex and Humanities field of study was evaluated on Depressive symptomatology severity and perceived improvement. Female sex was associated with higher depressive symptomatology severity among university students, with one-third of the 350 assessed students classified as having severe symptoms.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a31570faf7cf7f8256b3d3b https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7030136

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Self-Reported Depressive Symptomatology Among University Students: Evidence from the PROTEGER-SE Project

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Self-Reported Depressive Symptomatology Among University Students: Evidence from the PROTEGER-SE Project

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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