Assessing Depression in Pakistani Undergraduate University Students: A Comparative Analysis of PHQ-9 and CES-D10 Scales
Abstract
Depression among university students is a growing concern, yet most studies rely on a single assessment tool. This study compared two depression screening scales, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10 (CES-D10), to evaluate depression among undergraduates in Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 620 students participated in the survey. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, binary regression, and Spearman’s rank-order correlation. Chi-square analysis identified discipline and residence as significant predictors of depression on the PHQ-9, whereas no significant predictors were detected using the CES-D10. The two scales showed a strong positive correlation. Higher depression scores were associated with lower cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Binary regression further identified CGPA and faculty as significant predictors of depression on the PHQ-9. The findings indicate that mild-to-moderate depression is common among undergraduate students, and PHQ-9 may be more sensitive than CES-D10 in detecting relevant demographic and academic risk factors.