SynthesisBMC psychology2025
Prevalence of depression among university students in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 40 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
40 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- The role of self-compassion interventions in reducing anxiety and depression among university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC psychology · 2026Pooled it
- Traditional Chinese mind-body practices and depressive symptoms in university students: a multilevel dose-response meta-analysis.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Pooled it
- Teaching staff as gatekeepers for student mental health in higher education: findings from an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study on mental health promotion, psychological crises, and stigma.International journal of mental health systems · 2026Article
- Racial Discrimination and University Students' Mental Health: a Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities · 2026Article
- School Identification Alleviates Depressive Mood Among Chinese College Students: The Chain Mediating Role of Social Exclusion and Sense of Control.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Heterogeneous profiles of virtue personality trait in anxiety-depression symptom networks and simulated intervention effects: evidence from a large college student sample.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- Associations among authenticity-related strain, self-concept clarity, emotional suppression, and psychological distress in Chinese students.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Mindfulness and Psychological Distress in College Student-Athletes: The Mediating Roles of Cognitive Reappraisal and Subjective Vitality.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Longitudinal Relationships Between Positive Psychological Capacities and Emotional Well-Being Among 950 College Students: A Cross-Lagged Panel Network Analysis.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- A Network Analysis of Suicidal Cognition as a Central Node Linking Depression and Prospection Bias in University Students.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- The associations between pre-sleep smartphone use, negative life events and depressive symptoms among Chinese undergraduate students.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Article
- Smartphone gaze-tracking for accessible psychiatric assessment.Npj mental health research · 2026Article
- The Influence of Mindfulness-Enhanced Resistance Training Program on the Subjective Well-Being of Female College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- The Relationship Between Obesity, Overweight, and the Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Among University Students: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study in Greece.Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- A Chain mediation model linking experiential avoidance, cognitive flexibility, negative emotions, and sleep quality in university students.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in college students: the mediating role of fear of happiness.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- Psychometric Evaluation of the Chinese Version of Cognitive Style Questionnaire-Short Form Among University Students.Psychology research and behavior management · 2026Article
- Physical exercise and depression in college students: the serial mediating roles of mindfulness and experiential avoidance.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Personality Trait Dimensions and Depressive Symptoms Among Medical Students: Sequential Mediation Through Psychological Capital and Perceived Stress.Depression and anxiety · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundDepression among university students in China represents a critical public health challenge, with emerging evidence suggesting exacerbated risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite prior regional studies, a comprehensive national analysis comparing pre-pandemic and pandemic-era prevalence, while accounting for profession-specific stressors, remains lacking. This study aims to quantify depression prevalence across Chinese universities, identify high-risk subgroups, and assess the pandemic's impact.
methodsA systematic search was conducted on PubMed, CNKI, Wang-fang Database, and Web of Science. The articles were cross-sectional studies focusing on the prevalence of depression among university students in China, with clearly defined criteria for diagnosing depression included. MetaXL 5.3 was used to pool the outcomes and perform a meta-analysis, assessing the prevalence of depression among university students and influential factors such as the impact of COVID-19.
resultsData from 32 cross-sectional studies (n = 93,679) on depression prevalence among students were analyzed. The prevalence estimates ranged from 12.1% to 77.1%, with a summary prevalence of 34.70% after meta-analytic pooling. Subgroup investigations based on major, sample size, geographical region, gender, and the influence of COVID-19 were conducted. Prior to the pandemic, student depression prevalence was 35.0% (95%CI, 26.9%-43.4%), which increased to 38.7% (95%CI, 33.6%-44.0%) during and after the pandemic. DISCUSSION: This study underscores a substantial mental health burden among Chinese university students, intensified by pandemic-related disruptions. Medical students and those in high-stress regions warrant prioritized interventions. Systemic reforms in healthcare education and regionally tailored mental health policies are urgently needed. Longitudinal studies are critical to track post-pandemic recovery trajectories. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: CRD42024502949.
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