"Comparative Analysis of Depression Severity Across Demographics of Fourth-Year BEED Students”

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the severity of depression among fourth-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) students and to determine whether differences exist across demographic variables such as age, gender, and civil status. Using a quantitative descriptive-comparative research design, the study surveyed 100 fourthyear BEED students from Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges–Marbel, Inc., selected through stratified random sampling to ensure representative coverage of all relevant subgroups. Data were collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a standardized depression assessment tool and analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative tests to identify significant variations across demographics. Findings revealed that a majority of participants exhibited mild to moderate depressive symptoms, with 28% reporting moderate levels of depression and 15% showing severe symptoms. Gender differences indicated that female students experienced slightly higher depressive severity compared to males, while age and civil status showed minimal influence on depression levels. The study highlights that depressive symptoms are prevalent among BEED students and that specific demographic factors may contribute to differences in severity, particularly gender. The results underscore the importance of mental health support programs within teacher education programs and the need for targeted interventions to address the psychological well-being of students in their final year of study. These findings provide valuable insights for educators, counselors, and policymakers to enhance mental health awareness and preventive strategies within the academic environment.