African American College Student Depression Essay
The Effect of Stress and Depression among African American College Students
Darlisha J. Smith
Prairie View A&M University
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess the leading reasons to why college students become stressed. There are several reasons behind this, the focus is more so what is the leading factors of stress that are associated with depression. This topic was important to me because for African American college students there are several stress-producing situations that can trigger depression. Situations that can cause stress are, relationships, grades, being away from parents, and living in a new environment. According to recent research “Depression in young adults is a common health problem and growing public health concern (Voelker, 2003; Lewinsohn, Rohde, & Seeley, 1998). Depression impairs psychosocial development and academic success (Birmaher et al., 1996). It is a strong predictor of suicide, which is the third leading cause of death in 15-24 years old and the second …show more content…
leading cause of death among college students (Hass, Hendin, & Mann, 2003).” This research correlates with my study because being an African American student on campus, I often see young students my age failing in something in their life and this makes them feel incapable to do things. They stress about these things, and when it is not succeeded.
Related studies gives evidence of life obstacles that can lead to depression, “Other factors associated specifically with college student depression include stressful life events and daily hassles (O'Neil & Mingiei, 1998; Segrin, 1999; D' Angelo & Wierzbickii, 2003); stress reactivity (Felsten, 2002); conflict between work and family (Zamarripa et al., 2003); relationship problems, financial concerns, and poor grades (Furr, et al., 2001); lack of social support or networks (Beeber, 1999; O'Neil & Mingie, 1988; D'Angelo & Wierzbicki, 2003); a sense of not belonging (Hagerty & Williams, 1999); having fewer friends (Field, Diego, & Sanders, 2001); and experiencing loneliness (D'Angelo & Wierzbicki, 2003).” This study is important for the research because it’s important to know factors that lead to stress and depression.
This could explain what the student is going through, according to what’s going on in their life at that
time.
Method
Participants
Thirty African American college students (17-25 year olds) attending a Historically Black College/University at Prairie View A&M University will be used as participants. The university is located in a city outside of Houston, Texas, a middle-low class neighborhood. An informed consent will be given to participants to inform them of what they are being involved in with the survey/questionnaire.
Design
Materials
Procedure
Darlisha J. Smith
Prairie View A&M University
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess the leading reasons to why college students become stressed. There are several reasons behind this, the focus is more so what is the leading factors of stress that are associated with depression. This topic was important to me because for African American college students there are several stress-producing situations that can trigger depression. Situations that can cause stress are, relationships, grades, being away from parents, and living in a new environment. According to recent research “Depression in young adults is a common health problem and growing public health concern (Voelker, 2003; Lewinsohn, Rohde, & Seeley, 1998). Depression impairs psychosocial development and academic success (Birmaher et al., 1996). It is a strong predictor of suicide, which is the third leading cause of death in 15-24 years old and the second …show more content…
leading cause of death among college students (Hass, Hendin, & Mann, 2003).” This research correlates with my study because being an African American student on campus, I often see young students my age failing in something in their life and this makes them feel incapable to do things. They stress about these things, and when it is not succeeded.
Related studies gives evidence of life obstacles that can lead to depression, “Other factors associated specifically with college student depression include stressful life events and daily hassles (O'Neil & Mingiei, 1998; Segrin, 1999; D' Angelo & Wierzbickii, 2003); stress reactivity (Felsten, 2002); conflict between work and family (Zamarripa et al., 2003); relationship problems, financial concerns, and poor grades (Furr, et al., 2001); lack of social support or networks (Beeber, 1999; O'Neil & Mingie, 1988; D'Angelo & Wierzbicki, 2003); a sense of not belonging (Hagerty & Williams, 1999); having fewer friends (Field, Diego, & Sanders, 2001); and experiencing loneliness (D'Angelo & Wierzbicki, 2003).” This study is important for the research because it’s important to know factors that lead to stress and depression.
This could explain what the student is going through, according to what’s going on in their life at that
time.
Method
Participants
Thirty African American college students (17-25 year olds) attending a Historically Black College/University at Prairie View A&M University will be used as participants. The university is located in a city outside of Houston, Texas, a middle-low class neighborhood. An informed consent will be given to participants to inform them of what they are being involved in with the survey/questionnaire.
Design
Materials
Procedure