Factors Associated With Mental Health Disorders Among University Students in France Confined During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By M. Wathelet, S. Duhem, G. Vaiva, T. Baubet, Enguerrand Habran, Emilie Veerapa, C. Debien, S. Molenda, M. Horn, P. Grandgenevre and 2 more. JAMA Network Open, 2020

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Key Points Question What is the mental health state of university students in France who were confined during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and what factors are associated with the development of mental health symptoms? Findings This survey study of 69 054 students who experienced quarantine found high prevalence rates of severe self-reported mental health symptoms. Among risk factors identified, female or nonbinary gender, problems with income or housing, history of psychiatric follow-up, symptoms compatible with COVID-19, social isolation, and low quality of information received were associated with altered mental health. Meaning The findings of this study suggest that students’ mental health is a public health issue that has become even more critical in the context of a pandemic, underlining the need to reinforce prevention, surveillance, and access to care.

Subfields: Clinical Psychology, General Health Professions, Neurology

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