Characterization of depression in university students during the Covid-19 pandemic

Introduction: Depression is a highly prevalent mental health problem in university communities, the severity of which may have been exacerbated by the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Objective: to characterize the levels of depression in a sample of university students from various faculties and to examine psychosocial factors that could influence their mood. Method: the sample consisted of 249 students (80 men and 169 women) from seven faculties belonging to the National University of Itapua (Paraguay) who completed an online questionnaire while the social isolation measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic were in effect. Results: a significant percentage of the sample reached or exceeded the cut-off point established for depression. Significant differences were found in levels of depression associated with gender and university degrees. Conclusions: depression is a serious problem that must be faced in university populations and the Covid-19 pandemic generated an unfavorable context that makes the development of strategies for this purpose more urgent.