Prevalence and Predictors of Depression Symptoms Among Social Work Students In Field Placements

Background and Purpose

Student mental health concerns are increasingly recognized as a critical issue in social work education. Many students balance rigorous academic demands, financial pressures, and concurrent emotionally intensive field placements, all of which may elevate risk for depression and other mental health challenges. Field practicum requirements may limit students’ capacity to engage in paid employment while increasing transportation, childcare, and other living expenses, potentially increasing student stress levels in turn. Despite growing attention to student well-being, few studies have examined predictors of depression symptoms among social work students undertaking mandatory, typically unpaid field practicum placements.

Prior studies suggest that financial strain and structural inequities disproportionately affect certain student groups, including first-generation students and those with fewer economic resources. Understanding how practicum-related financial pressures intersect with student mental health is essential for informing educational policy and support strategies. To these ends, the present study examines predictors of depression symptoms among U.S. social work students in field practicum placements.

Methods

This study analyzes cross-sectional survey data from BSW and MSW students undertaking field practicums in academic year 2022-2023. An online survey was administered in Spring 2023 in collaboration with student-led advocacy groups and university researchers. Participants were recruited using availability and snowball sampling. Survey measures included validated instruments such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression symptoms and the CFPB Financial Well-Being Questionnaire. The survey also incorporated a novel Practicum Financial Impact Index composed of 14 dichotomous indicators assessing whether students experienced adverse academic or personal consequences (e.g., delayed graduation, course failure) due to practicum-related financial pressures. Logistic regression modeling was used to assess predictors of moderately severe or severe depression symptoms, operationalized as PHQ-9 scores ≥ 15.

Results

The analytic sample (N=392) ranged in age from 20 to 62 years (M=28.5, SD=7.6). Most respondents identified as female (80.9%); 68.1% identified as White and 31.9% as students of color. One third were first-generation students, 27.0% reported at least one disability, and 75.3% worked paid jobs concurrent with their practicums. Nearly all respondents (87.8%) were in unpaid field placements. Roughly one quarter of respondents (27.3%) reported moderately severe or severe depression symptoms.

Compared to their demographic counterparts, first-generation students were more than twice as likely to experience moderately severe or severe depression symptoms while undertaking field practicums (OR=2.128, p=0.012). Higher financial well-being scores were associated with lower odds of depression (OR=0.954, p=0.001), while higher practicum financial impact scores were associated with increased odds (OR=1.247, p=0.003).

Conclusions and Implications

Beyond demographic disparities, findings highlight practicum-related financial strain as a factor associated with depression risk among social work students. Greater cumulative financial consequences of field education were strongly associated with higher odds of moderately severe or severe depression symptoms, while higher perceived financial well-being was protective. Results suggest that practicum-related financial burdens may adversely impact student mental health. More robust institutional supports tailored to the needs of vulnerable student groups—as well as educational policy reforms—are warranted to promote equity, student well-being, and sustainability in social work education.