Abstract
Purpose: This study was conducted to compare the level of depressive symptom, spiritual well-being and faith maturity between college freshmen and seniors and to investigate the affecting factors on their depressive symptom. Methods: The study was cross-sectional descriptive survey. A self-report questionnaire were used to collect data from 335 college students during June to July, 2010. Data were analyzed by ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression using the SPSS/WIN 14.0 program. Results: The mean score of depressive symptom was $17.55{\pm}11.24$ and prevalence of depression was 26.5% in college freshmen. And those in college seniors were $14.18{\pm}14.17$ and 17.4%. And those were significantly higher in college freshmen than in seniors. The depressive symptom was a significant negative correlation with spiritual well-being, existential spiritual well-being, religious spiritual well-being, and faith maturity. Factors significantly influencing on depression in college freshmen included existential spiritual well-being, subjective health status, age, and confidence of salvation ($R^2$=49.7%). And those in college seniors included existential spiritual well-being and life satisfaction ($R^2$=53.3%). Conclusion: The counseling program and spirituality development program for preventing depression considering these affecting factors for especially college freshmen are necessary.