پیش‌بینی نشانگان افسردگی براساس معنای زندگی در دانشجویان دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد بوکان

فرهاد شریفی طومارآغاج; منصور محمودی اقدم; صلاح  صوفی

Authors

Farhad Sharifi Tomaraghaj Department of Psychology, Bu.C., Islamic Azad University, Bukan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5131-4429
Mansour Mahmoudiaghdam Department of Psychology, Bu.C., Islamic Azad University, Bukan, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9130-0185
Salah Sufi Department of Psychology, Bu.C., Islamic Azad University, Bukan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5387-7912

Keywords:

Depressive symptoms, meaning in life, university students, mental health, Islamic Azad University

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Depression is one of the common psychological problems among university students and can adversely affect their academic, social, and personal functioning, whereas meaning in life may serve as an important psychological resource associated with lower vulnerability to depressive symptoms. The present study aimed to predict depressive symptoms based on meaning in life among students of Islamic Azad University, Bukan Branch.

Methodology: This study employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all 2,900 students enrolled at Islamic Azad University, Bukan Branch, during the 2023–2024 academic year, from whom 350 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding coefficients of 0.86 for the depression inventory and 0.75 for the meaning in life questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 through Pearson correlation and simple linear regression.

Findings: Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between meaning in life and depressive symptoms (r = -0.407, p < 0.001). Simple linear regression also showed that the prediction model was statistically significant (F = 69.216, p < 0.001). The coefficient of determination was 0.166, indicating that meaning in life explained 16.6% of the variance in depressive symptoms. The standardized regression coefficient further demonstrated that meaning in life was a significant negative predictor of depressive symptoms (β = -0.407, t = -8.320, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The findings indicated that meaning in life plays a significant role in predicting depressive symptoms among university students, with higher perceived purpose, coherence, and significance in life being associated with lower depressive symptoms. Therefore, strengthening meaning in life may be beneficial in counseling and preventive mental health programs for university students.

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