Journal of Psychology & Behavioral Science

A Study of Relationship between Depression, Personality Traits and Health Risk Behaviors among Uyghur Students
Saimire Asikaer

Abstract
Depression is one of the biggest problems that college students face. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of personality traits and students’ favor of their major to depressive symptoms and risky health behavior. I predicted depression and neuroticism would be positively associated with risky health behavior while conscientiousness would be negatively associated. I also predicted that depression would be negatively associated with the students’ favor of their major and neuroticism. The study was conducted on a sample of 493 Uyghur students from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomic Region. Correlational analysis showed that students’ favor of their major and neuroticism were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. The results confirm that, neuroticism and the students’ favor of major contribute to the depression symptoms. The results also showed that depression contributes to smoking and drinking behavior. The findings helps with the understanding of depression and can be used to develop educational and psychosocial interventions to help students with ensuring a happier and healthier university life.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jpbs.v6n1a3