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Background: Depression is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders experienced by kidney transplant (KT) recipients. The aim of this study was to determine the depressive symptoms exhibited by KT recipients and the related factors affecting them. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 131 KT recipients referring to nephrology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil, in 2016. Convenience sampling method was employed. Data were collected using personal profile form and Beck Depression Inventory, self-efficacy and self-care behaviors of the KT recipients. Data were analyzed using the descriptive and analytical tests in SPSS software (Version 22). Results: More than half of the patients exhibited symptoms of depression. The mean depression score was 15.55±19.48, indicating mild depression. Multiple linear regression indicated that depression symptoms were significantly associated with self-efficacy, self-care behaviors, symptom distress, age and marital status. Conclusion: Self-efficacy and self-care behaviors found to be the efficacious and modifiable factors of depressive symptoms in KT recipients. Therefore, self-efficacy and self-care promotion in these patients should be a significant part of care plans these patients. In addition, depression and its related factors should be part of routine screening measures for KT recipients. Patients with signs of depression should undergo individual interventions based on the specific conditions of each patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]