1
|
Heumann E, Trümmler J, Stock C, Helmer SM, Busse H, Negash S, Pischke CR. Study Conditions and University Students' Mental Health during the Pandemic: Results of the COVID-19 German Student Well-Being Study (C19 GSWS). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5286. [PMID: 37047902 PMCID: PMC10094523 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
University students are generally vulnerable to mental health problems. This was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when students experienced decisive changes and restrictions in their academic lives. Our study aimed at (a) analysing associations between study conditions and symptoms of depression and anxiety and (b) determining the extent of use and motivation to use student counselling services. The C19 GSWS is a cross-sectional study conducted at five universities in Germany (N = 7203). Descriptive analyses and linear regression models were performed to estimate the associations between study conditions and mental health outcomes. A total of 42.4% of the students felt down, depressed, or hopeless on several days over the past 14 days. Between a third and 44.1% of the students felt burdened by their study conditions. Worse perceived study conditions were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety. Only 7.1% indicated that they had utilised student counselling services, and female gender, enrolment in a bachelor's programme, and having more than 1 reason for utilisation were factors associated with use. The results of our research underline the need for universities to review their study conditions and to provide targeted intervention strategies and counselling services to promote students' mental well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Heumann
- Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jannis Trümmler
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Christiane Stock
- Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Unit for Health Promotion Research, University of Southern Denmark, Degnevej 14, 6705 Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Stefanie M. Helmer
- Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Heide Busse
- Department Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Sarah Negash
- Institute for Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Medical School of the Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Claudia R. Pischke
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Riboldi I, Capogrosso CA, Piacenti S, Calabrese A, Lucini Paioni S, Bartoli F, Crocamo C, Carrà G, Armes J, Taylor C. Mental Health and COVID-19 in University Students: Findings from a Qualitative, Comparative Study in Italy and the UK. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4071. [PMID: 36901083 PMCID: PMC10001873 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION COVID-19 restrictions introduced several changes in university academic and social experience. Self-isolation and online teaching have amplified students' mental health vulnerability. Thus, we aimed to explore feelings and perspectives about the impact of the pandemic on mental health, comparing students from Italy and the UK. METHODS Data were collected from the qualitative portion of "the CAMPUS study", longitudinally assessing mental health of students at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) and the University of Surrey (UK). We conducted in-depth interviews and thematically analysed the transcripts. RESULTS The explanatory model was developed from four themes identified across 33 interviews: anxiety exacerbated by COVID-19; putative mechanisms leading to poor mental health; the most vulnerable subgroups; and coping strategies. Generalised and social anxiety resulted from COVID-19 restrictions by being associated with loneliness, excessive time online, unhealthy management of time and space and poor communication with the university. Freshers, international students, and people on the extremes of the introversion/extroversion spectrum, were identified as vulnerable, while effective coping strategies included taking advantage of free time, connection with family and mental health support. The impact of COVID-19 was mostly related to academic issues by students from Italy, whereas to the drastic loss of social connectedness by the UK sample. CONCLUSIONS Mental health support for students has an essential role, and measures that encourage communication and social connectedness are likely to be beneficial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Riboldi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | | | - Susanna Piacenti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Angela Calabrese
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Susanna Lucini Paioni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Francesco Bartoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Cristina Crocamo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carrà
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House 149, London W1T 7BN, UK
| | - Jo Armes
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Health and Sciences, University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Cath Taylor
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Health and Sciences, University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Effectiveness of Digital Cognitive Behavior Therapy for the Treatment of Insomnia: Spillover Effects of dCBT. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159544. [PMID: 35954905 PMCID: PMC9367941 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The effects of digital Cognitive Behavior Therapy for insomnia (dCBT-i) on sleep quality have been previously demonstrated but the spillover effects on fatigue, flow (a state of immersion in activities of interest), and cognitive flexibility remain unclear. The current study examined the effectiveness of dCBT-i. A total of 97 college students (20.96 ± 1.87 years, 73.1% female students) were randomly selected from a shortlist and divided into sleep intervention (n = 39), conventional education (n = 37), and healthy control (n = 21) groups. Task switching paradigm, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Flow Experience Scale (FES), and the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI) were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results show that the sleep quality of the intervention group improved, and fatigue was relieved. Participants in the sleep intervention group had increased flow experience scores post-intervention and improved cognitive flexibility. The control group’s sleep quality deteriorated and fatigue level increased. dCBT-i can not only achieve a significant improvement in sleep quality and reduce fatigue, but also improve learning abilities, quality of life, flow, and cognitive flexibility. Future research should pay attention to indicators such as work efficiency, sedative use, and the durability and stability of such effects.
Collapse
|