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

Abstract

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 SelfRating 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.