Change in the level of depression among Chinese college students from 2000 to 2017: A cross-temporal meta-analysis

• Bing Feng

  School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Yan Zhang

  Central China Normal University

• Lei Zhang

  Shanghai University of Chinese Traditional Medicine

• Xiaodan Xie

  Tongji University

• Wenxiu Geng

  East China Normal University

University enrollment in China was expanded in 1999, with positive results. However, several psychological indicators of Chinese college students, such as increased anxiety across generational cohorts, have been revealed. To examine generational cohort changes in Chinese college students’ depression levels from 2000 to 2017, we conducted a cross-temporal meta-analysis involving 93 studies (117 data points, N = 87,503). The results showed that, according to responses to the Self-Rating Depression Scale, the depression level of Chinese college students increased by 6.04 points (SD increase = 0.66). In addition, male (vs. female) college students demonstrated increased depression. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

1. Yan Zhang, Central China Normal University
   School of Psychology
2. Lei Zhang, Shanghai University of Chinese Traditional Medicine
   School of Basic Medical Sciences
3. Xiaodan Xie, Tongji University
   School of Humanity
4. Wenxiu Geng, East China Normal University
   School of Psychology and Cognitive Science

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