Table 3

Modified Beck Depression Index (M-BDI) for different subgroups and correlations between M-BDI and continuous variables

Categorical variables
Mean M-BDI (SD)
p-value*

University

<0.001
     Bielefeld, Germany
26.87 (15.25)

     Lublin, Poland
31.87 (16.91)

     Sofia, Bulgaria
32.50 (14.97)

Gender

<0.001
     Female
31.78 (16.20)

     Male
27.29 (14.53)

Having a partner

<0.001
     Yes
27.93 (14.93)

     No
32.19 (16.31)

Sufficiency of income

<0.001
     Totally sufficient
26.32 (14.83)

     Sufficient
28.60 (14.76)

     Not sufficient
31.14 (15.69)

     Not sufficient at all
36.32 (17.35)

Performance at the university

<0.001
     Worse
37.48 (16.93)

     Average
28.09 (15.10)

     Better
28.94 (14.64)

Continuous variables
Correlation coefficient (Pearson r)
p-value+
Perceived burdens: Isolation#
0.438
<0.001
Perceived burdens: Relationships#
0.290
<0.001
Perceived burdens: Course work#
0.275
<0.001
Perceived burdens: Future#
0.290
<0.001
Perceived stress§
0.702
<0.001

* ANOVA for comparison between categories; + t-test for Pearson coefficient = 0; # To what extent do you feel burdened in the following areas: (6 point Likert scale: 'Not at all' – 'Very much'); § Cohen's perceived stress scale (5 point Likert scale: 0 = 'Never' to 4 = 'Very often')

Mikolajczyk et al. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2008 4:19   doi:10.1186/1745-0179-4-19