EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE LEVELS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UPON THEIR DEPRESSION LEVELS

The study was planned to evaluate the effects of the quality of life levels of university students upon their depression levels. The students of School of Physical Education and Sports who took physical activity courses (n=148) and students of other academic branches who did not take physical activity courses (n=180) participated in the study voluntarily. To the participant individuals; SF-36 quality of life scale (8 subscales, 2 summary scores), Beck Depression Inventory (Total scores) and a personal information form (about age, height, weight, sportive age, marital status and income status) were administered. When intergroup quality of life subscale differences were examined; it was found out that there was a statistically significant difference in physical functioning (t=6.810; p<0.001) and general health perception (t=2.419; p<0.05) while there was no a statistically significant difference in other subscales (p>0.05). As for the quality of life summary scores; a statistically significant difference existed in physical health summary scores (t=3.580; p<0.001) while no statistically significant difference existed in mental health summary scores (t=-0.174; p>0.05). Again; intergroup depression scores were investigated; it was found out that students who studied at other academic departments had higher depression scores than those who studied at School of Physical Education and Sports (t=-6.855; p<0.001). It was concluded that physical activities had positive effects upon both quality of life and depression levels and that there was an inverse relationship between quality of life and depression levels.