The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health and help-seeking behavior among Italian university students. A descriptive and cross-sectional study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND To reduce the spread of Covid-19 the Italian government imposed a rigid lockdown and, for a whole year, it kept declaring stringent rules to curb the community spread. The pandemic had a great negative impact on general population mental health, including the one of university students. OBJECTIVE The study provides an overview about symptomatology and help-seeking behavior of university students before and during the Covid-19 pandemic and it aims to evaluate the impact of the different phases of the pandemic on students' mental health. METHODS We collected data in four time points: (1) March 2019-February 2020, (2) March-May 2020, (3) October-December 2020, (4) January 2020-March 2021. A total of 454 students have been included in the study. Students answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and a standardized questionnaire to evaluate a broad range of symptoms of psychopathology. Descriptive analyses have been conducted to explore student’s symptomatology and help-seeking behavior. Considering the significant gender-difference distribution between groups, groups comparison analysis has been conducted considering male and female separately. RESULTS Considering the total sample size, results suggest that students have experienced moderate to severe levels of depressive, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety symptomatology. About 14% of the sample met criteria for at least one mental health disorders, but most of them were not receiving mental health care. Moreover, during the lockdown, compared with other phases, female students reported worse symptoms in the following dimension: obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, paranoid ideation and psychoticism. The increasing symptomatology quickly disappeared after the lifting of the quarantine. Results showed any difference in the male groups. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the view of a negative mental health condition of university students and indicate an increase of symptomatology during the lockdown among female students. Preventive and support strategies should be improved in the university context.

Download Full-text

Effect of a peer‐led intervention combining mental health promotion with coping‐strategy‐based workshops on mental health awareness, help‐seeking behavior, and wellbeing among university students in Hong Kong

International Journal of Mental Health Systems ◽

10.1186/s13033-020-00432-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu ◽

Dalinda Isabel Sánchez Vidaña ◽

Donald Lipardo ◽

Parth Bharat Shah ◽

Pablo Cruz González ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Hong Kong ◽

University Students ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Help Seeking Behavior ◽

Health Awareness ◽

Mental Health Awareness ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The psychological well-being of university students is an important factor in successfully coping with the demands of academic life. This study aimed to assess the impact of a peer-led intervention of mental health promotion combined with coping-strategy-based group workshops on mental health awareness and help-seeking behavior among university students in Hong Kong. Method A mixed-method concurrent design was used for this study. Quantitative data, based on one-group pretest-posttest design, were collected using Mental Health Knowledge Schedule Questionnaire to assess mental health awareness, and Attitude Towards Seeking Professional Help Questionnaire-Short Form to examine help-seeking behavior of university students from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Qualitative data were collected from written post-activity reflections and focus group discussions which were thematically analyzed. Results A total of 62 university students (mean age: 23.2 ± 5.1 years) were included in this study. Mental health awareness was significantly improved (p = 0.015, 95% Confidence Interval of − 2.670, − 0.297) after program implementation. Help-seeking behavior mean score increased from pretest to posttest, however, no significant difference was observed (p = 0.188, 95% CI = − 1.775, 0.355). Qualitative analysis revealed that the program helped participants learn about coping strategies to help themselves and others with mental health challenges. Conclusions The peer-led intervention provided a positive impact through increased mental health awareness and knowledge of coping strategies on self-help and helping others among university students. Further study could focus on the impact of the program when applied regularly throughout the entire academic year.

Download Full-text

The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Italian University Students’ Mental Health: Changes across the Waves

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189897 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9897

Author(s):

Micaela Di Consiglio ◽

Sheila Merola ◽

Tiziana Pascucci ◽

Cristiano Violani ◽

Alessandro Couyoumdjian

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Disorder ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Paranoid Ideation ◽

Help Seeking Behaviour ◽

The University ◽

The Impact ◽

The Waves

To reduce the spread of Covid-19, the Italian government imposed a rigid lockdown and, for a whole year, continued to declare stringent rules to curb the community spread. This study provides an overview of university students’ symptomatology and help-seeking behaviour before and during the pandemic. It aims to evaluate the impact of the different phases of the pandemic on students’ mental health. We collected data in four-time points between March 2019 and March 2021. A total of 454 students (F = 85; M = 15) were included in the study. Students answered a socio-demographic and a standardized questionnaire (i.e., SCL-90-R) to evaluate a broad range of symptomatology. The results suggest that students experienced moderate to severe levels of depressive, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety symptomatology. About 14% of the sample met the criteria for at least one mental health disorder, but most were not receiving mental health care. During the lockdown, compared with other phases, female students reported worse symptoms in the obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism dimensions. The increasing symptomatology disappeared after the lifting of the lockdown. The results showed no difference in the male groups. Preventive and support strategies should be improved in the university context.

Download Full-text

Exploring the Effectiveness of an Integrated Mixed Martial Arts and Psychotherapy Intervention for Young Men’s Mental Health

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988319832121 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 155798831983212 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

N. Bird ◽

G. McCarthy ◽

K. O’Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

At Risk ◽

Martial Arts ◽

Role Models ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Help Seeking Behavior ◽

Mixed Martial Arts ◽

Young Males ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

The Impact

This research sought to establish the impact of a 10-week program combining mixed martial arts (MMA) and one-to-one psychotherapy on young males’ mental health and determine factors that predict help-seeking behavior in at-risk males. Preparticipation and post-participation interviews were employed as the method of data collection. Seven males (20–35 years; M = 24.57) completed preparticipation interviews and five completed follow-up interviews. Thematic analysis of preparticipation revealed that help-seeking behavior in at-risk males is impeded by the presence of male gender stereotypes, the absence of positive role models, as well as difficulty navigating challenging social landscapes. Post-participation interviews revealed that the sport provided structure and fitness for at-risk males, while the counseling was pivotal for personal growth. Improved relationships, work life, and self-esteem were also observed. The sporting element of the program helped to reduce stigma associated with engaging in psychotherapy, and positive male relationships were noted as particularly impactful. Findings support previous research indicating that combining sports and psychotherapy positively impacts young males’ mental health. Sport provides an acceptable doorway to psychotherapy, providing space to explore personal issues.

Download Full-text

Perceived Causes of Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking Behavior among University Students in Ethiopia

International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling ◽

10.1007/s10447-013-9203-y ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 219-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yirgalem Alemu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Help Seeking Behavior ◽

Seeking Behavior

Download Full-text

A Thematic Analysis of the Reported Effect Anxiety Has on University Students

Education and Urban Society ◽

10.1177/00131245211062512 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 001312452110625

Author(s):

Jacquelyne Ladejo

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Dropping Out ◽

Health Issues ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact ◽

Study Offer

The number of university students experiencing mental health issues in the UK is increasing and a high number of students are dropping out of university as a result. Literature highlights a lack of knowledge regarding this topic and the significance in educating society. The aim of this qualitative study was to provide further insights as to why students are experiencing anxiety and into help-seeking behavior amongst university students. A thematic analysis was used to analyze a total of 118 blog entries of students discussing the impact of university on mental health. Findings highlighted three main themes: Balancing priorities, Fear of failure, and Critical incidents. These themes are discussed in terms of possible risk factors contributing to students experiencing anxiety while at university. Findings together with recommendations listed in this study offer higher education staff and institutions the opportunity to explore areas of focus and improve university students’ mental health.

Download Full-text