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Prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in university undergraduate students: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Sheldon, Elena, Simmonds-Buckley, Melanie, Bone, Claire, Mascarenhas, Thomas, Chan, Natalie, Wincott, Megan, Gleeson, Hannah, Sow, Karmen, Hind, Daniel, Barkham, Michael·2021·Journal of Affective Disorders

DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.054

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Abstract

Background Effective targeting of services requires that we establish which undergraduates are at increased risk of mental health problems at university. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in undergraduates.Methods We searched MEDLINE, PsycInfo, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register. Eligible studies were assessed using the Quality of Prognostic Studies checklist and narratively synthesised. Pooled prevalence of depression and suicide-related outcomes, and associated risk factors (odds ratios) were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses.Results Sixty-six eligible studies of varying quality were included in a narrative synthesis. The pooled prevalence of depression (eight studies; 13,790 participants) was 25% (95% CI 17%, 35%) and the pooled prevalence of suicide-related outcomes (four studies; 2,586 participants) was 14% (95% CI 0%, 44%). Thirteen studies contributed to meta-analytic syntheses of 12 depression-related and four suicide-related risk factors. Presenting with a current mental health problem, negative rumination, parent separation, experiences of sexual harassment and parental depression significantly predicted depression outcomes. Childhood adversity, baseline mental health problems and financial difficulties significantly predicted suicide-related outcomes.Limitations Student mental health is a heterogeneous research area and is hampered by the use of imprecise terms, both for describing risk factors and mental health outcomes. These inconsistencies limit the extent to which datasets can be meaningfully synthesised.Conclusions This review evidences the importance of a range of risk factors for poor undergraduate mental health. Interventions should be developed to target modifiable risk factors and prevent poor mental health outcomes. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration CRD42019144927.

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Authors: Sheldon, E., Simmonds-Buckley, M., Bone, C., Mascarenhas, T., Chan, N., Wincott, M., Gleeson, H., Sow, K., Hind, D., & Barkham, M.
Affiliations: University of Sheffield (GB)
Corresponding author: Sheldon, Elena
ORCID: Sheldon, Elena
Bone, Claire
Chan, Natalie
Wincott, Megan
Gleeson, Hannah
Sow, Karmen
Hind, Daniel
Barkham, Michael
Venue: Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2021-05
Volume: 287
Pages: 282-292
ISSN: 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.054
OpenAlex: W3148997915
Cited by: 644
References: 88
Citations by year: 2026: 151 · 2025: 174 · 2024: 153 · 2023: 98 · 2022: 61 · 2021: 7
FWCI: 17.35
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
doi.org/10.15223/policy-017 (stm-asf)
doi.org/10.15223/policy-037 (stm-asf)
doi.org/10.15223/policy-012 (stm-asf)
doi.org/10.15223/policy-029 (stm-asf)
doi.org/10.15223/policy-004 (stm-asf)
Locations: Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
Keywords: student mental health, undergraduate students, depression prevalence, suicide risk, risk factors, rumination, parental separation, sexual harassment, parental depression, childhood adversity, financial hardship
MeSH terms: Humans, Mental Health, Risk Factors, Students, Universities, Prevalence

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Prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in university undergraduate students: A systematic review with meta-analysis

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