Search

University students worldwide are facing increasing mental health challenges. Traditional stress models, like the Job/Study Demand-Resources Model, link stressors directly to strain. Yet, recent studies suggest the influence of strain on stressors may be even stronger. Our research explored these reciprocal dynamics among university students, considering social support and mindfulness as potential moderators. We conducted a two-wave panel study with 264 university students. We ran separate cross-lagged panel structural equation analyses for three key health outcomes—emotional exhaustion, depression, and well-being—each paired with perceived study stressors, specifically workload and work complexity. Findings revealed significant stressor and strain effects, with social support notably moderating the impact of emotional exhaustion on workload. These insights challenge traditional stress theories and underscore the importance of mental health support and effective stress management strategies for students, emphasizing the need for proactive mental health initiatives in academic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Cigarette smoking, risky alcohol consumption, and marijuana smoking are the most common behaviors related to legal and illicit drug use worldwide, including among university students. To plan effective evidence-based programs to prevent the risky consumption of these substances among university students, the present study aimed to identify potential sociodemographic and study-related risk groups and predictors of consumption. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional online health survey with approximately 270 health-related items was conducted among students at the University of Mainz, Germany. Cigarette smoking, risky alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C score: female ≥ 4, male ≥ 5), and marijuana smoking were chosen as dependent variables. Of the 270 health-related items, 56 were chosen as independent variables and collated into five groups (sociodemographic, psychological, study-related psychosocial, general psychosocial and health behavior). The prevalence of cigarette smoking, risky alcohol consumption, and marijuana smoking was assessed using established and validated instruments. Pearson's chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in prevalence between the sociodemographic and study-related groups, and binary logistic regression was used for analyses with stepwise inclusion of the five variable groups. (3) Results: Of the 3991 university students who entered the analyses, 14.9% reported smoking cigarettes, 38.6% reported risky alcohol consumption, and 10.9% reported smoking marijuana. The prevalence of these differed between genders, fields of study, and aspired degree level, among other factors. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed nine significant predictors (p ≤ 0.05) of cigarette smoking (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.314), 18 significant predictors of risky alcohol consumption (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.270), and 16 significant predictors of marijuana smoking (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.239). (4) Conclusions: This study showed cigarette smoking, risky alcohol consumption, and marijuana smoking among university students in Germany to be associated with multiple factors, especially health behaviors. Furthermore, each of the substances was highly associated with each of the two other substances we examined. Other variable groups, such as psychological or psychosocial variables, seemed to play a rather minor role. Therefore, our recommendation for future prevention programs is that substance use among university students should be addressed as a whole, not just in terms of specific substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to develop and implement intervention strategies targeting pharmacological neuroenhancement (PN) among university students more specifically, we (1) assessed the prevalence of PN among German university students, (2) identified potential sociodemographic and study-related risk groups, and (3) investigated sociodemographic, psychological, study-related psychosocial, general psychosocial and health behavior related factors predicting the 12-month prevalence of PN. Therefore, a cross-sectional online survey was administered to students of the University of Mainz, Germany. A binary logistic regression with stepwise inclusion of the five variable groups was performed to predict PN. A total number of 4351 students out of 31,213 registered students (13.9%) participated in the survey, of which N = 3984 answered the question concerning PN. Of these, 10.4% had used one substance for PN at least once in the past 12 months. The regression analysis revealed 13 variables that were significantly related to the 12-month prevalence of PN. Specifically, the group of health behavior related variables showed the strongest relationship with PN. Therefore, an approach to the prevention of PN should be multifactorial so that it addresses social conditions, as well as education on substance use and healthy behaviors in terms of non-pharmacological strategies as alternatives of PN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a shutdown of universities in Germany. In a longitudinal design, we compared mental health (depression, anxiety, somatic complaints) of university students in Germany before (June to August 2019) and in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020) and determined the impact of pandemic-related stress and loneliness on students' mental health in self-report online surveys. We investigated 443 participants (mean age 22.8 years), among them 77% female, and 10.4% medical students. A small increase of depression mean scores was observed (F(1,420) = 5.21; p =.023), anxiety and somatic complaints have not significantly changed. There was a medium increase in loneliness from pre-pandemic scores to the pandemic situation (F(1,423) = 30.56; p <.001). Analyzed with regression analyses, current loneliness and pre-pandemic distress represented the strongest associations with mental health during the pandemic. Additionally, health-related concerns during the pandemic were associated with symptoms of depression [b = 0.21; 95%CI(0.08; 0.34); t = 3.12; p =.002], anxiety [b = 0.07; 95%CI(0.01; 0.12); t = 2.50; p =.013], somatic complaints [b = 0.33; 95%CI(0.18; 0.47); t = 4.49; p <.001], and loneliness [b = 0.10; 95%CI(0.03; 0.17); t = 2.74; p =.006]. Social stress due to the pandemic situation was associated with loneliness [b = 0.38; 95%CI(0.32; 0.45); t = 11.75; p <.001]. The results imply that university students represent a risk group for psychosocial long-term ramifications of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of the so-called “Werther effect” is well confirmed, and there are several recommendations on how the media should (not) report suicide to minimize the risk of copycat behavior. Unfortunately, very little is known about how suicide is actually reported. The article examines the German press coverage of six celebrity suicides with respect to compliance with guidelines on suicide reporting and analyzes changes in suicides in the wake of the reporting. It concludes that German media do not respect the recommendations in a substantial number of their articles. In addition, a significant increase in suicides and similar suicides is found. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted educational systems worldwide, and various alarming effects of this crisis on university students' mental health have been reported. This study aimed to identify which factors, existing prior to the pandemic (summer term 2019), might be related to resilience when dealing with academic demands during the pandemic (summer term 2020). A sample of 443 university students took part in a longitudinal survey study at a large university in Germany. Resilience, defined as the level of adaptation to a stressor, was operationalized by modeling latent change scores of emotional exhaustion, depression, and somatization in the face of study stress. Multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze how potential facilitating and hindering factors were related to resilience demonstration while controlling for study stressors (workload, work complexity, and change in time spent studying). Academic self-efficacy was positively related to various forms of resilience demonstration, while competition was negatively related. Performance pressure was negatively related to only one form of resilience demonstration. No evidence was found for social support (from lecturers or fellow students) being positively related to the demonstration of resilience. This study confirms previous findings regarding relevant resilience factors such as self-efficacy. It also reveals unexpected aspects such as social support, and it indicates new constructs in resilience research in a university setting such as competition and performance pressure. Practical implications can be drawn fromthis research to benefit resilience promotion among students in preparation for challenging times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transition from school to university is often accompanied by a change in students' lifestyles. So far little is known whether convenience behavior is an essential factor affecting students' health and social interaction. In a heterogeneous population regard to sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics the Convenience Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) showed a better relationship between convenience-related behavior with overweight and obesity than established questionnaires. Here we assessed convenience behavior in a large well characterized cohort of university students and its association with health-related (mainly sedentary behavior and physical activity), study-related and sociodemographic factors with the Convenience Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ)., Methods: A total of 4,351 students participated in an online survey, of which 3,983 (23.6 ± 5.3 years old, 71.3% females) answered the questions concerning convenience behavior. A low value in the CBQ indicates more convenience behavior [Convenience Behavior Index (CBI) range: 3-15]. Differences with regard to sociodemographic (age, gender, body mass index), study-related (semester, degree, field of study) and health-related (physical activity, sedentary behavior) variables were examined with Mann-Whitney-U test or Kruskal-Wallis test and post-hoc tests (Bonferroni)., Results: The CBI of men and women differed significantly ( z  = -6.847, p  < 0.001, r  = 0.11). First-year students and students beyond their first year showed significant differences ( z  = -2.355, p  ≤ 0.05, r  = 0.04). Differences were also found in the field of study (Chi2 (6) = 147.830, p  < 0.001) and the targeted degree (Chi2 (7) = 79.985, p  < 0.001). Furthermore, differences were found in the body mass index (Chi2 (5) = 70.678, p  < 0.001), physical activity (Chi2 (2) = 279.040, p  < 0.001) and sedentary behavior ( z  = -4.660, p  < 0.001, r  = 0.07)., Conclusion: The results showed risk groups of convenience behavior among students [men, first-year, students enrolled in "Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)," bachelor]. Our results confirm for the first time in a very homogeneous population a gender difference and an association between CBI and health-related factors. Further studies are needed to analyze the health behavior of students in more detail, especially their convenience behavior., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Schwab, Reichel, Werner, Schäfer, Heller, Edelmann, Beutel, Letzel, Dietz, Simon and Kalo.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Background: According to the literature, the conditions of studying and living as well as the psychological, social and health behavior-related variables, which were strongly related to pharmacological neuroenhancement (PN) before the pandemic, significantly changed during the pandemic. For this reason, it is expected that the prevalence of PN among university students is higher during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate and compare the prevalence of PN among university students before and during the COVID-19-pandemic., Methods: Three online surveys assessing the 12-month prevalence of PN were conducted among university students at the University of Mainz, Germany. The first survey took place in summer term 2019 (before the pandemic), the second in summer term 2020 (during the first German lockdown), and the third in summer term 2021 (after the second German lockdown). Pearson's chi-square test was used to test whether the 12-month prevalence of PN differed significantly between the three surveys., Results: The 12-month prevalence of PN was 10.4% in 2019, 11.3% in 2020, and 8.0% in 2021. Chi-square tests revealed no statistical difference in the prevalence of PN between 2019 and 2020. Overall, the use of PN was lower in 2021 compared to 2019 ( p < 0.0001) as well as in comparison to 2020 ( p = 0.001). Only the use of cannabis slightly increased from 2019 to 2020 (7.1 vs. 8.3%) and decreased in 2021 (5.4%). At all three time points, cannabis was the most commonly used substance for the purpose of PN. Consequently, the results suggest that the prevalence of PN was highly intertwined with the prevalence of cannabis use for PN., Discussion: The decrease in the prevalence of PN of around three percentage points in 2021 compared to the previous years was a surprising finding. It may be mainly due to the decrease in the prevalence of cannabis for the purpose of PN. However, the fairly high prevalence of PN of around 8% in 2021 is still an important finding that demonstrates that there is still an urgent need for prevention initiatives among university students to combat the use of PN., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Dietz, Werner, Reichel, Schäfer, Mülder, Beutel, Simon, Letzel and Heller.)

Health information-seeking behavior is the process of gathering information about health and disease and can be influential for health-related perception and behavior. University students are an important target group for prevention and health promotion and largely belong to an age group that is considered to play a leading role in propagating the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Germany. The paper deals with students' health information-seeking behavior before and during the corona crisis, aiming to give insights into its determinants and implications. Using the example of a large German comprehensive university and based on two cross-sectional surveys in the summer of 2019 ( n = 4,351) and 2020 ( n = 3,066), we investigate which information channels students use for health information, how information seeking changes during the course of the pandemic, and to what extent information seeking is associated with risk perception and risk behavior. For a subsample of participants that participated in both surveys ( n = 443), we also trace developments at the individual level through a longitudinal analysis. The results show that students' health information seeking takes place primarily online and changed markedly during the corona crisis. The comparatively high relevance of sources that are largely based on unchecked user-generated content raises the concern whether students' health information-seeking behavior guarantees the necessary quality and reliability of health information. Significant correlations between the intensity of corona-related information seeking, risk perception, and actual risk behavior were found., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Schäfer, Stark, Werner, Tibubos, Reichel, Pfirrmann, Edelmann, Heller, Mülder, Rigotti, Letzel and Dietz.)

In a group of elderly patients over 65 years of age with at least two cardiovascular diagnoses requiring chronic medication (n=424), drug therapy at hospital discharge and at home thereafter was followed for a 1-year period. Two home visits took place at 3 months and 12 months after initial discharge. A median of six prescriptions had already been given at the time of discharge; this number increased slightly during ambulatory follow-up. After 1 year, about 30% of the patients had to take more than ten dosing units per day. After discharge, about 50% of all prescriptions were subject to changes in the choice of the preparation (brand-generic) or the agent used [within a class of similar agents, e.g. angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACIs)]. The prescription of some problematic agents (benzodiazepines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) increased during the ambulatory follow-up, but pivotal medications for cardiovascular indications (e.g., ACI) given at discharge were maintained. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs-which were not part of the discharge medication-contributed to 12% of all drugs taken at V4. The majority of the prescriptions (95% of about 2,000 prescriptions surveyed at each visit) was in agreement with the drug's approval status and was appropriate in terms of absence of contraindications. At home visits, therapy with ACI or beta-blocking agents was in agreement with clinical guidelines, although under-dosing was obvious. Blood pressure control (<140/90 mmHg) was achieved in 61% of the patients at discharge and deteriorated to 45% after 1 year; international normalized ratio control in patients with oral anticoagulation also declined (control rate 57% at discharge, 46% after 1 year). Statins as secondary prevention were given at discharge in only 60% of suitable patients, declining to about 50% in ambulatory visits. Diabetic control was not present in 35% of the patients at discharge or at home. Properties of or reason for their medication could be given for the majority (70-80%) of the prescriptions; these quotations were, however, cursory and almost nothing was known about medication risks. At home visits, non-compliance was admitted for approximately 8% of the prescriptions. In conclusion, for pivotal indications, family doctors widely followed the discharge recommendations, but deficits in ambulatory prescriptions and poor performance of the medication were in part already employed at the time of discharge from the hospital. The lack of a patient's knowledge about their own medication is precarious.