Seasonal affective disorder in college students: prevalence and latitude

J Am Coll Health. 1998 Nov;47(3):135-7. doi: 10.1080/07448489809595634.

Abstract

The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory were used to evaluate a convenience sample of college students in northern New England for winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and subsyndromal SAD. Seventy-six students filled out the questionnaire and the inventory in mid-fall, then completed the inventory again in mid-February. The students who had moved from southern latitudes to northern New England were the most likely to experience increased depression in winter. Prevalence rates for SAD and sub-SAD combined (winter 13.2 and 19.7%, respectively) were slightly higher than those reported in previous research. The prevalence of SAD was also higher in female students, which was consistent with findings in previous research.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New England / epidemiology
  • Population Dynamics / statistics & numerical data
  • Prevalence
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder / etiology
  • Sex Distribution
  • Students* / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Universities*