Recent College Grads Are Prone to Anger and Depression

But don't worry, the rat race becomes second nature within 7 years or so, researchers say

By Laura Allen Posted 05.19.2008 at 3:35 pm 7 Comments

Hang Tight College grads eventually stop kvetching about workforce drudgery, study shows istockphoto.com

Ah, college graduation! The first rites of adulthood in which campus living, the meal plan, and 1-800-COLLECT are readily traded for a rented studio apartment, long hours at the office, and rush-hour traffic. What’s not to be depressed about?

Echoing the cold comfort your parents probably gave during this rude awakening as you sobbed to them using your non-subsidized cellphone, a recent analysis by Canadian researchers confirms that many recent grads feel this way . . . and things really do get better.

The longitudinal study tracked the life circumstances and mental health symptoms of nearly 600 University of Alberta graduates for 7 years. The researchers learned that the elevated levels of depression and anger customary of “emerging adults” significantly declined over the 7-year period.

The results, say the authors in the paper, “suggest a growing psychosocial maturity on the part of young people that is adaptive.” Basically, one gets used to the rat race.

The research, which appears in a recent issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family, also backed up the logical notion that the longer a recent graduate delays independence by living at home with his or her parents, the more likely s/he is to be depressed. Freedom does have its price . . . but also its rewards.

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7 Comments

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KPeters

05/30/08 at 4:51 pm

Maybe you just consign yourself to a life of indentured servitude?

"As a child I dreamed of being an astronaut, now I find joy at sleeping in past eight."

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murderdolls

07/27/08 at 7:21 am

Ah, college graduation! The first rites of adulthood in which campus Lida living, the meal plan, and 1-800-COLLECT are readily traded for a rented studio apartment, long hours at the office, and rush-hour traffic.
Tala
Yılan yağıWhat’s not to be depressed about?
Echoing the cold Lida comfort your parents probably gave during this rude awakening as you sobbed to them using your non-subsidized cellphone, a recent analysis byLida Estetik Canadian researchers confirms that many recent grads feel this way . . . and things really do get better.
The longitudinal study tracked the life circumstances and mental health symptoms of nearly 600 University of Alberta graduates for 7 years. Lida The researchers learned that the elevated levels of depression and anger elektronik sigara customary of “emerging adults” significantly declined over the 7-year period.

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09/11/08 at 6:24 pm

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10/07/08 at 9:12 pm

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MeriamM

07/01/09 at 1:15 am

When we are still students, we would say that we already want to graduate so that we can find job and enjoy our life alone. Freedomm! That's what we really like. BUt after graduation, the pressure in finding jobs would really make us stessed. Living alone is not really nice as what other think it is. Of course, you would shoulder alone all the expenses like house supplies, bills and other sudden expenses that we didn't foresee. Luckily, you can go to a payday lender for a short term personal loan, often with no faxing and some lenders let you apply online and use direct deposit. To read more, please visit http://personalmoneystore.com/payday-loans/online-payday-loans/payday-lending/

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MeriamM

07/01/09 at 1:16 am