Correlation of spiritual health and depression among young adults in a state university in Southern Philippines

Abstract

Introduction: Depression was a leading cause of disability in the Philippines. This research aimed to examine the relationship between spiritual well-being and depression among undergraduate students enrolled for the Academic Year 2020 – 2021. Methods: A quantitative approach using cross-sectional descriptive-correlation design was used to carry out a study on a sample of 200 undergraduate students aged 18-25 years old. Inclusion criteria include student between the ages of 18 and 25, officially enrolled at Mindanao State University, during the second semester of Academic Year 2020-2021, and able to participate in the study. Convenience sampling was used to narrow down the sample. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software package version 28.0. Results: The data indicated that respondents' average religious well-being score was 55.28, indicating a favorable sense of one's relationship with God. The existential well-being score had a mean of 44.56, indicating a moderate level of life fulfillment and meaning. Furthermore, the total score for all depressed symptoms was 23.32, indicating that people who took part in the survey during the pandemic suffered moderate to severe depression. Correlation analysis found a negative correlation between spiritual health and the level of depression (r=-0.458, p=0.001). Conclusion: Spiritual health, as expressed through existential well-being and religious well-being, is a separate component that lends explanatory power to mental well-being prediction. The study advises heads of health sectors in various institutions to intensify their fight against depression. Additional research is also strongly encouraged.