A study led by UCL researchers reveals that students in higher education in England may experience a higher risk of depression and anxiety compared to their non-student peers.
The findings are considered significant, illustrating concerns over the mental health of young people in higher education settings.
Published in The Lancet Public Health, the research provides the first evidence of elevated levels of depression and anxiety among higher education students relative to their peers.
The study was conducted using data from the Longitudinal Studies of Young People in England (LSYPE1 and LSYPE2), encompassing individuals born in 1989-90 and 1998-99, and it focused on participants aged 18-19.
Findings
The study revealed a noticeable difference in symptoms of depression and anxiety at ages 18-19 between students and non-students, persisting even after adjusting for confounding factors such as socioeconomic status and parental education.
Interestingly, by the age of 25, the difference in mental health status between graduates and non-graduates dissipated.
Implications
The elevated risk of mental health issues among students, who generally hail from more privileged backgrounds, is of particular concern.
The research did not conclusively identify the underlying causes of this elevated risk but hypothesized that academic and financial pressures might play significant roles.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The small increase in the risk of depression and anxiety among students in higher education necessitates further research to understand and address the mental health risks students face.
Supporting and improving the mental health of students is crucial, given the potential long-term impacts on their health, well-being, educational attainment, and overall success.
Addressing the mental health risks associated with higher education could potentially reduce the incidence of depression and anxiety among people aged 18-19 by 6%.
Author’s Comments
Lead author, Dr. Gemma Lewis emphasized the importance of addressing mental health during the critical developmental phase of higher education.
Dr. Tayla McCloud, the first author, noted the unexpected nature of these findings, given that students tend to come from more privileged backgrounds.
She stressed the importance of further research to clarify these risks and improve understanding of modifiable risk factors for depression and anxiety as a global health priority.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about 6 foods you can eat to improve mental health, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and results showing Omega-3 fats may help reduce depression.
The research findings can be found in The Lancet Public Health.
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