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Review
. 2025 Jan 25;33(1):90-101.
doi: 10.1177/09727531241306571. eCollection 2026 Jan.

A Comprehensive Review of Psychosocial, Academic, and Psychological Issues Faced by University Students in India

Mubashir Gull  1 , Navneet Kaur  2 , Wael M F Abuhasan  3 , Suneetha Kandi  1 , Sidharth Murali Nair  1
Affiliations
Review

A Comprehensive Review of Psychosocial, Academic, and Psychological Issues Faced by University Students in India

Mubashir Gull et al. Ann Neurosci. .

Abstract

Background: University students confront a wide range of issues during their pursuit of education. Understanding these issues is essential for developing effective treatments and support systems.

Purpose: This study aims to delineate the landscape of scholarly literature pertaining to psychosocial, academic, and psychological issues among university students. It further identifies key journals and publishing trends within the fields, thereby significantly contributing to this domain. Additionally, this study outlines the scientific field networks that offer theoretical and conceptual foundations for exploring the psychosocial, academic, and psychological challenges faced by university students. Furthermore, it also intends to systematically categorise various types of problems encountered by university students in India.

Methods: To systematically gather and investigate the problems encountered by students in higher education, this study utilises bibliometric analysis, highlighting topics related to mental health. Data were extracted from Scopus and Web of Sciences databases.

Results: The analysis of the literature yielded 12 overarching categories related to challenges faced by university students: stress, academic stress, depression, anxiety, internet/ smartphone addiction/ gaming disorder, low self-esteem, loneliness, insomnia, suicidal ideations, eating disorders, drug addiction, adjustment issues.

Conclusion: Academic institutions should prioritise student mental health, as it affects academic performance and can lead to psychological disorders. Universities need Guidance and Counselling Cells staffed with professionals to help students manage psychosocial, academic, and psychological challenges.

Keywords: Distress; India; anxiety; social dysfunction; suicide; youth.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. (PRISMA) Reporting Items for the Comprehensive Analysis.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Keyword Plus Co-Occurrence Network of Scientific Collaboration.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Word Clouding.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.. Psychosocial Problems and Their Associated Keywords.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.. Academic Problems and Their Associated Keywords.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.. Psychological Problems and their Associated Keywords.
Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Publication Trend.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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