Social support, self-esteem and depression among University students at Makerere University

Abstract

This study aimed at examining the relationship between social support, self-esteem and depression among university students. The study employed a correlation research design that was quantitative in nature. A sample of 100 undergraduate students both male and female was selected using simple random sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection and the data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science. Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient (rs) was used to test the significance of the hypotheses. Results indicated that there is a significant relationship between social support and self-esteem among university students. However, the findings revealed that there is no significant relationship between self-esteem and depression among university students. Furthermore, results indicated that there is a significant relationship between social support and depression among university students. Therefore, the findings of this research can be used as evidence to provide information to various stakeholders especially the universities to provide necessary guidance and counseling services to the students that are being affected by the prevailing factors.