Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Sep 20;22(1):1778.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13943-x.

Factors that influence mental health of university and college students in the UK: a systematic review

Fiona Campbell  1 , Lindsay Blank  2 , Anna Cantrell  2 , Susan Baxter  2 , Christopher Blackmore  2 , Jan Dixon  2 , Elizabeth Goyder  2
Affiliations

Factors that influence mental health of university and college students in the UK: a systematic review

Fiona Campbell et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Worsening mental health of students in higher education is a public policy concern and the impact of measures to reduce transmission of COVID-19 has heightened awareness of this issue. Preventing poor mental health and supporting positive mental wellbeing needs to be based on an evidence informed understanding what factors influence the mental health of students.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with mental health of students in higher education.

Methods: We undertook a systematic review of observational studies that measured factors associated with student mental wellbeing and poor mental health. Extensive searches were undertaken across five databases. We included studies undertaken in the UK and published within the last decade (2010-2020). Due to heterogeneity of factors, and diversity of outcomes used to measure wellbeing and poor mental health the findings were analysed and described narratively.

Findings: We included 31 studies, most of which were cross sectional in design. Those factors most strongly and consistently associated with increased risk of developing poor mental health included students with experiences of trauma in childhood, those that identify as LGBTQ and students with autism. Factors that promote wellbeing include developing strong and supportive social networks. Students who are prepared and able to adjust to the changes that moving into higher education presents also experience better mental health. Some behaviours that are associated with poor mental health include lack of engagement both with learning and leisure activities and poor mental health literacy.

Conclusion: Improved knowledge of factors associated with poor mental health and also those that increase mental wellbeing can provide a foundation for designing strategies and specific interventions that can prevent poor mental health and ensuring targeted support is available for students at increased risk.

Keywords: Mental wellbeing; Rapid review; Risk factors; Student mental health.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors have competing interests or other interests that might be perceived to influence the results and/or discussion reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Poor mental health – cycles of reinforcement
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The positive and negative feedback loops
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Engagement and wellbeing
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Association of Colleges . Association of Colleges’ survey on students with mental health conditions in further education. 2017.
    1. Hughes G, Spanner L. The University Mental Health Charter. Leeds: Student Minds; 2019.
    1. Sivertsen B, Hysing M, Knapstad M, Harvey AG, Reneflot A, Lønning KJ, et al. Suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm among university students: prevalence study. BJPsych Open. 2019;5(2):e26. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2019.4. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Storrie K, Ahern K, Tuckett A. A systematic review: students with mental health problems—a growing problem. Int J Nurs Pract. 2010;16(1):1–6. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2009.01813.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Pereira S, Reay K, Bottell J, Walker L, Dzikiti C, Platt C, Goodrham C. Student Mental Health Survey 2018: A large scale study into the prevalence of student mental illness within UK universities. 2019.

Publication types