Sources of stress and coping in American college students who have been diagnosed with depression.

PURPOSE: The study aims to explore the sources of stress in American college students who had been treated for depression and to discern their coping mechanisms.

ORGANIZING FRAMEWORK: A phenomenological approach using Seidman's guide to in-depth qualitative interviews using a three-part approach was used in the study.

METHOD: Online in-depth interviews utilizing e-mail with asynchronous communication were used.

FINDINGS: Sources of stress included roommate issues, academic problems, financial and career concerns, and pressure from family. Exercise, talking to friends, self-talk, deep breathing, journaling, marijuana use, and listening to music were common coping mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS: College students who have been treated for depression are under increasing stress today from a variety of sources. Nonmedical methods of coping were often cited as more effective than medication therapy.