The Relationship of Depression and Stress with Tryptophan Consumption among University Youth

Abstract

Objective: The most common psychological health problems are depression and stress. Depressive symptoms and stress are increasing day by day in university youth. Since depression and stress negatively affect the health of the young population, it is important that it contribute to the increase of the healthy population. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship of depression and stress with tryptophan consumption among university students. Methods: A questionnaire which included descriptive questions, amounts of tryptophan consumption, “Beck depression” inventory and “perceived stress (PS) scale” were conducted voluntarily to 900 undergraduate students studying at İstanbul Aydın University in this correlation study. Results: There was no statistically significant difference was found between students’ depression levels and tryptophan consumption levels (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the perceived coping level and the mean tryptophan consumption level (p<0.05). As tryptophan consumption increases, stress decreases and coping with PS increases. There was no relationship between tryptophan consumption and depression, but there was a relationship between tryptophan consumption and stress.