Grief, Social support and Depression among University students

Abstract

The study aimed at examining the relationship between grief, social support, and depression among University Students. The study was guided by objectives which included: to examine the relationship between grief and depression among university students, to access the relationship between grief and social support among university students, and to examine the relationship between social support and depression among university students. This study used a cross-section study design using the quantitative approach, the data was collected using closed ended questionnaire guides and during the data collection, snowball non-random sampling method was used. A sample size of 300 respondents was also used in the study. From the study, it was noted that an effective social support is needed to handle grief and prevent the long-term consequence of depression. A person grieving needs friends and family to get back on their feet no matter how long it takes. This social support system ought to be patient and understanding because a bereaved person needs emotional and physical attending. Furthermore, a support-seeking coping strategy contributes to an individual’s well-being in terms of esteem. It is easy to identify a person with a strong support system and one without. Loneliness can develop when a person suffering from grief is left unattended to, this can quickly escalate into depression. When this occurs, not only are they suffering from depression but the consequences from it which might lead to a series of mental disorders. Depression is a complex emotion that can be difficult to understand. Understanding the relationship between grief, social support, and depression can be difficult as well. Even though these three topics are often discussed in the same breath, there is little scientific evidence to support a direct relationship between them. In fact, some studies have shown that people who are grieving are more likely to experience depression, and that social support can cause depression. Why is this? Most people experience some form of loss in their lives. Losses can be physiological, such as the death of a loved one, or they can be emotional, such as the loss of a job. Grief is a natural response to loss and is characterized by feelings of sadness, loneliness, and emptiness. Social support is the presence of people who offer emotional support to someone during a difficult experience. The study recommended that as growing communities, sensitization, and training should be carried out at different institutions among staff members to students about the effects of grief, social support and depression. In addition, students need to be aware that the best way of bringing about high levels of social support is for them to be emotionally and cognitively engaged amongst their peers.