The purpose of this study is to explore correlation of stress, copying, and social support by depression
severity among nursing students. The survey was conducted from May, 16th, 2012 to June, 15th, 2012
through a self-report questionnaire following consent of 289 nursing students. Interview instruments, which
were used in the study were CES-D, a stress instrument, a copying instrument, and a social support
instrument. Descriptive statistics, t-test, x2test, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation were adopted
for data analysis. In the mild depressive group, depression level is positive correlation with stress and all
copying styles whereas no correlation with social support. However, in the severe depressive group, higher
depression level is positive correlation with stress and emotion focused copyinge whereas negative
correlation with social support. The results of this study indicate that different approaches are needed for
depression severity of nursing students.