A Depression-Risk Mental Pattern Identified by Hidden Markov Model in Undergraduates

Few studies have examined depression risk screening approaches. Universal depression screening in youth typically focuses on directly measuring the current distress and impairment by several kinds of depression rating scales. However, as many people have stigmatizing attitudes to individuals with depression, youths with depression were in fear of being known, and embarrassment held them back from reporting their depression symptoms. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the best, most easy access screening approach for indirectly predicting depression risks in undergraduates. Here, the depression score was ranked and viewed as the different stages in the development of depression; then, we used a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) approach to identify depression risks. Participants included 1247 undergraduates (female = 720, mean age = 19.86 years (std =1.31), from 17 to 25) who independently completed inventories for depressive symptoms, emotion regulation, subjective well-being (life satisfaction, negative and positive affect), and coping styles (positive and negative). Our findings indicated that the risk pattern (state 1) and the health pattern (state 2) showed distinct different rating results in emotional regulation, subjective well-being, and coping style. Screening for prospective risk of depression can be better accomplished by HMM incorporating subjective well-being, emotion regulation, and coping style. This study discussed the implications for future research and evidence-based decision-making for depression screening initiatives.