A 12-year Trend of Psychological Distress: National Study of Finnish University Students
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore changes in the prevalence of psychological distress and co-occurring psychological symptoms among 19-34 years old Finnish university students between the years 2000 and 2012. METHODS: The prevalence of perceived frequent psychological symptoms was compared in four nationwide cross-sectional student health surveys with random samples (N=11,502) in the following years: 2000 (N=3,174), 2004 (N=3,153), 2008 (N=2,750), and 2012 (N=2,425). RESULTS: In the time phase from 2000 to 2012, the overall psychological distress (12-item General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12) increased from 22% to 28%, while there was also an increase in the frequently experienced psychological symptoms (depressiveness from 13% to 15%, anxiety from 8% to 13%, concentration problems from 12% to 18%, and psychological tension from 13% to 18% with a peak prevalence observed in 2008). The co-occurrence of different psychological symptoms increased as well. Psychological distress was more common in females and in older students. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest an increasing trend of frequent psychological distress among Finnish university students over the years from 2000 to 2012, with the peak prevalence occurring in 2008, which may reflect the growing multifaceted environmental demands.
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Around 25% of young people experience psychological distress.
“around 25% of young people experience psychological distress [7].”
From What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review (2020) · cites this paper as [7]
The Abstract reports psychological distress rising from 22% to 28% among Finnish university students aged 19–34, supporting the approximate 25% figure. The claim extends that finding to young people generally, a broader population than the study surveyed. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAdolescents most in need of psychological help are those least likely to look for it.
“Teens who are most in need of mental health attention are reluctant to seek help.”
From What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review (2020) · cites this paper as [7]
The Discussion (page unavailable) reports trends in psychological symptoms among Finnish university students, but does not compare need for care with willingness to seek help. Searches for help-seeking, reluctance, and those most in need found no passage addressing that relationship in teens. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
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- Authors
- Oksanen, A., Laimi, K., Björklund, K., Löyttyniemi, E., & Kunttu, K.
- Affiliations
- Turku University Hospital (FI)
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (FI)
- University of Turku (FI)
- Finnish Student Health Service (FI)
- Corresponding author
- Oksanen, Airi
- Venue
- Central European Journal of Public Health
- Published
- 2017-06-01
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 113-119
- ISSN
- 1210-7778 (ISSN-L)
- 1803-1048
- OpenAlex
- W2724703007
- Cited by
- 39
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3
- FWCI
- 7.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Central European Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- STM:n Hallinnonalan avoin julkaisuarkisto (Julkari) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
- Keywords
- psychological distress, university students, prevalence trends, depression, anxiety, concentration difficulties, psychological tension, gender differences, age differences, student health, environmental demands
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Finland, Humans, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Stress, Psychological, Students, Universities
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