Social support and end‐of‐semester depression, burnout, and adjustment in students making the transition to university

Abstract Nearly 40% of Canadian university students are depressed. However, strong social support may mitigate adverse outcomes for some. This study examined: (1) If students who showed initial depression were more likely to experience poorer end‐of‐semester well‐being (continued depressive symptoms, burnout, and poor social and academic adjustment); and (2) if social support was a moderator for initial depression effects on poorer end‐of‐semester well‐being. Participants ( N = 461) were first‐time first‐year undergraduates who completed questionnaires in September and December 2018. Entering university with depressive symptoms was associated with end‐of‐semester depression, burnout and decreased academic adjustment. Across well‐being outcomes, social support was not beneficial for those who entered university with high depressive symptoms.