[ relationship between self-esteem and depression in nursing students of a selected medical university in Tehran]

Medical students, especially army university students are considered as being under high risk for mental disorders. This study investigated the relationship between self-esteem and depression in nursing students of a selected medical university in Tehran. In this descriptive-analytical survey, 130 nursing students of a selected medical university in Tehran were selected. Data collection tools were: A researcher-made demographic information questionnaire, the 21-item Beck Depression questionnaire, and 58-question Cooper Smith self Esteem Questionnaire. After entering the data into SPSS version 18 and using the Liker method for scoring options in the questionnaire, data analysis was made according to SPSS software and descriptive-analytical statistics [Chi-square]. The results showed that%24.3 of students had moderate to severe depression. Also%56.1 had a low self-esteem. Chi-square tests showed significant differences between depression and self-esteem in the assessed units [P<0.05]. Given that a significant difference existed between the level of self-esteem and depression and upon increasing self-esteem, the scores of depression decreases, it, therefore is possible to use methods of enhancing self-esteem to improve students' mental health