CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG STUDENTS OF
THE RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Agnes F. Montalbo
Assistant Professor - College of Arts and Sciences
ABSTRACT
The enactment of the Mental Health Act is a benefit to us Filipinos particularly to
our students. The identification of students with mental health problem in particular
depression is a proper choice to assist the students on their mental health needs. This
study aimed to determine the level of depressive symptoms among 619 students of Rizal
Technological University. The descriptive research was utilized in this study using the
University Students Depression Inventory that measures lethargy, cognition-emotion and
academic motivation. Results showed that those who smoked and drank alcohol or more
than 10 days, those who experienced bullying as an adult and those who were dissatisfied
financially had moderate depressive symptoms. Groups according to age, gender, year
level, course, use of social media and living with biological students had low depressive
symptoms. The comparison of the scores when grouped according to profile showed that
lethargy and cognitive-emotional were significantly found to differ in students who were
not living their biological parents and students who were dissatisfied with their financial
condition and those who experience bullying. Procrastination and low academic
motivation were found in students who drank alcohol for greater than 10 days and those
who experienced bullying. The use of social media were not found to significantly differ.
A mental health program that addresses the student’s pressing mental health issue is
recommended.
Keywords: Mental Health, depression, bullying, social media, University Students’ Depression
Inventory