ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Individual propensity towards depressive mood has been influenced by various socio-demographic factors. Studies on the relationship between socio -demographic variables and degree of individual depressive mood in korea do not seem sufficient. In order to see the correlation of education level with the degree of depressive mood we surveyed to provide available data which are useful in the treatment of depression. METHODS: We randomly sampled 315 out of 452 patients based on the availability of chart record and questionnaire sheet. They were admitted to the department of family medicine in one university medical center in Seoul between Jan. 3. 1999 and Mar. 31. 2000. Out of 315 patients. we chose 271 patients between 30 and 80 years of age according to socio - demographic variables. Korean Beck Depression Index (BDI) questionnaire sheet method with 21 questions was used to collect the data for the degree of individual depression. The study group was subdivided into three (Group 1: group less educated than high school level, Group 2: group educated in high school, Group 3: group educated in college or above) BDI of each group was compared using ANOVA test. RESULTS: Age and sex among the three groups showed a significant difference. Other socio-demographic variables were not significantly different. The average of BDI was as follows : Group 1(19.6), Group 2(15.2), Group 3(13.2). After controlling for the socio-demographic variables, the BDI revealed significant difference among the groups according to education level. When Tukey method was applied to see the inter-group difference, Group1 BDI was higher than Group2 and Group3 BDls. No significant difference was found between Group2 and Group3. CONCLUSIONS: People educated below high school level revealed more propensity towards depressive mood with a statistical significance. Such result implies that education leved be considered in the treatment of depressive patients.