A Study of Depression and Neuroticism among College Students

Abstract

The present study examines the levels of depression and neuroticism among male and female senior college students from the Arts stream. A total of 100 students (50 males and 50 females) from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, Maharashtra, participated in the study. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) were used to measure depression and neuroticism, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed a significant gender difference in both psychological variables. Female students reported significantly higher levels of depression (M = 17.05, SD = 3.78) compared to male students (M = 14.25, SD = 3.06), with an obtained F-value of 4.07 (p < 0.01). Similarly, female students exhibited greater neuroticism (M = 35.69, SD = 5.01) than male students (M = 28.74, SD = 4.47), with an F-value of 7.31 (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that female students are more vulnerable to depression and emotional instability, which may impact their overall psychological well-being. The results emphasize the need for gender-sensitive mental health interventions and psychological support mechanisms to help students cope with emotional distress.