Depressive Symptoms, Stress, and Social Support Among Dental Students at a Historically Black College and University

OBJECTIVE: The authors measured the prevalence of depressive symptoms among dental students at a historically black college in the United States to determine how depressive symptoms, stress, and social support influence each other within this student population. PARTICIPANTS: Dental students (n = 143) completed a self-administered survey to assess depressive symptoms, stress, and social support, using validated and reliable instruments. Participants also reported demographic variables. METHODS: The authors used multivariable linear regression controlling for potential confounding. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 16.7%. There were significantly higher levels of stress for students with depressive symptoms compared with those without such symptoms (p < .01), and students with depressive symptoms had significantly lower levels of social support (p < .01). Results show higher levels of depressive symptomatology to be related to decreased social support at both high and low stress levels (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Stress and social support are associated with depressive symptoms among dental students.