Depressive symptoms and perceived burdens related to being a student: Survey in three European countries

Table 1 Measures used in this study and their internal reliability

No of items	Description and Response Scales	Cronbach's alpha
		Germany	Poland	Bulgaria
20	Depressive Symptoms: Modified Beck Depression Index (6 point Likert scale: never – nearly always)	0.90	0.92	0.87
14	Perceived Stress: Cohen's perceived stress scale (5 point Likert scale: never – very often)	0.85	0.81	0.80
5	Perceived Burdens⁺ – subscale: "Isolation" (Problems with fellow students; Isolation at the university; Isolation in general; Anonymity at university; Problems with friends)	0.77	0.75	0.81
2	Perceived Burdens⁺ – subscale "Relationships" (Relationship with significant other; Sexuality)	0.84	0.79	0.78
4	Perceived Burdens⁺ – subscale "Course work" (Studies in general; Exams; Assignments; Presentations)	0.79	0.83	0.77
2	Perceived Burdens⁺ – subscale "Future" (Bad job prospects; Lack of practical relevance of studies)	0.46	0.74	0.63

⁺To what extent do you feel burdened in the following areas: (6 point Likert scale: Not at all – Very much)