Introduction

Almost 5% of the Mexican general population (18-65 years old) has suffered depression once in their lives, and 2% of them more than once without receiving treatment.

Objetive

To measure the prevalence of depressive disorder and to calculate its relationship with psychosocial indicators.

Method

Data were collected through two censuses with high school and college students from a university in Mexico City (n = 116 214). Participants completed the CES-D and other scales. Multivariate logistic regression models were used.

Results

The prevalence of depressive disorder was 16%. Predictors of depressive disorder were: having suffered psychological or sexual violence, having a family member who had been injured during an assault, history of depression in the family, poor quality in family and social relationships, among others.

Discussion and conclusion

The prevalence of depressive disorder increases with age. As prevention and treatment at an early age are essential, intervention and monitoring strategies must be created and systematized taking gender and other elements into account, such as the relationship with the parents, violence, and a history of depression in the family.