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Introduction Heavy academic loads imposed on medical students explain why it is so important for a university to pay more attention to the issues of maintaining their students’ mental health. Objectives To compare the level of mental health and the need for mental health services in domestic and international medical students Methods The survey covered 305 domestic and 241 international university students of the Faculty of Medicine. Their mental health level was measured with the SCL-90R questionnaire, their interest to mental health services - by means of a 5-point questionnaire. Results The data achieved by measuring the level of mental health with the SCL-90R revealed that in both groups this level is within standard limits. However, the international students showed a higher level of psychopathological distress reflected by GSI index (χ2=2.14; р=.03). Both groups have experienced a visit to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist (12.13% and 8.3% correspondingly). Some of them have undergone treatment in connection with their emotional and behavioral problems (3.28% и 3.73%). Currently, they claim, with the same frequency, that they are in need of a psychiatrist’s or psychotherapist’s help (14.43% и 13.28%). Domestic students, as compared with international students show higher need (χ2=24.55; р=.001) for a psychologist’s help (34.75% and 16.18%).With different frequency, 65.15% of the international students and 89.5% of the domestic students consider mental health services as necessary. Conclusions When providing medical support to medical students, it is important to take into account their need for mental health services and to keep in mind their different cultural backgrounds. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction It is a well-known fact that regular physical activity (PA) has a positive effect on a person’s somatic health. Does PA have similar correlations with self-esteem in medical students of different cultural backgrounds? Objectives To determine the intensity and correlations of PА and self-esteem in domestic and foreign undergraduate medical students Methods We carried out a survey of 305 domestic and 241 international medical students of both genders at Ulianov Chuvash State University. For this aim we used the Sociocultural Health Questionnaire (E. Nikolaev) Results We have established that with the same duration of the sessions the average frequency of physical activity (PA) of foreign medical students is higher than that of domestic students (p=.001). The latter more often exercise in gyms (p=.001) and consume bodybuilding supplements (p=.01). Foreign medical students’ self-assessment of their health (p=.001) and sportiness (p=.001) is higher than that of domestic students (7.90 vs 6.98 и 6.72 vs 5.82 correspondingly). Higher frequency of PA correlates in domestic medical students with higher self-assessment of their successfulness (r=.47), attractiveness (r=.46), and confidence (r=.43); while in foreign students – of their sportiness (r=.49), confidence (r=.25), sociability (r=.23). Longer sessions of PA by domestic medical students are interrelated with higher self-assessment of their intellect (r=.35), confidence (r=.34), happiness (r=.34); while in foreign students – of sportiness (r=.47), health (r=.36), and successfulness (r=.36). Conclusions The revealed data testify to the fact that PA of both domestic and foreign medical students closely correlates with positive assessment of their own personality. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction Oral health behavior is based on an acquired experience and cultural traditions. University education may smooth out cultural differences in oral health practice. Objectives Our goal is to study self-reported oral health attitudes and behavior of university students and the cultural basis for it. Methods We used the English version of the Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory to carry out an online survey of 136 university students of Morocco and Russia. Results Over half of the students (60.3%) do not feel anxious when visiting a dentist. Most of them take care of their gums (41.2%), teeth color (49.3%) and the degree of their cleanness (38.2%). The overwhelming majority of the students brush their each tooth very thoroughly (62.5%), they regularly examine their teeth in the mirror after brushing them (90.4%). They are well aware that tooth brushing alone cannot prevent a gum disease (63.2%), and they feel concerned about the possibility of having bad breath (73.6%). At the same time, over half of the students (61.7%) put off their visit to a dentist until they have a toothache, which is a negative behavioral factor. We did not reveal any gender or cultural differences between the students of the two countries, which can be regarded as a universalization factor of oral health behavior in young people who get higher education in universities. Conclusions The majority of the surveyed Russian and Moroccan university students have similar patterns of oral health attitudes and behavior. This assumption needs verification on a larger sample of students. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction More often, cardiac surgery patients (CSP) receive systematic psychological aid after surgery. However, their need for psychosocial interventions in the perioperative period is underestimated. Objectives The goal is to determine the stages of psychosocial interventions for CSP that could cover the whole period of their treatment and rehabilitation. Methods Analysis of scientific papers and practical experience gained in cardiologic clinic allowed dividing the system of psychosocial interventions for cardiac surgery patients into periods in accordance with actual stages of medical aid for CSPs. Results According to the principles of personalized approach, we determined six consecutive semantically different stages of psychosocial interventions: out-of-hospital pre-surgery, in-hospital pre-surgery, early post-surgery, in-hospital post-surgery, post-surgery rehabilitation, and out-of-hospital rehabilitation. They have different duration and cover the whole period of treatment and rehabilitation of CSPs beginning with the moment of indication to surgery up to the complete rehabilitation and full adaptation to their post-surgery somatic condition. Each stage has its own goals, main objectives and expectations. Duration of the stages is conditional and can change depending on the nature of every clinical situation. Conclusions Determination of clinical stages in the process of psychosocial interventions for CSPs gives ground for selecting optimal psychological methods and techniques for each stage and sets exact goals, achievement of which becomes possible only through a properly organised work of an interdisciplinary team of specialists. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction During the COVID-19 caused lockdown, when students had to study on-line, they became highly vulnerable to stress. How different were the attitudes of university students towards COVID-19 in such situation in different countries? Objectives The goal is to determine the differences in attitudes to COVID-19 during the lockdown among university students in Russia and Uzbekistan Methods In May 2020, there was an on-line survey of 163 students of both genders in Ulianov Chuvash State University in Russia and of 49 university students from Bukhara, Samarkand and Andijan in Uzbekistan. The instrument used was ‘Attitude towards COVID-19 Questionnaire’ (Nikolaev, 2020). Results The comparison revealed that Uzbek students are more interested in the latest COVID-19 news than Russian ones (p=.0004), they also consider this pandemic as severe and dangerous for people (p=.0006), and think that governmental measures to fight coronavirus are adequate (p=.0008). Russian students in their turn, as compared with their Uzbek peers, feel highly concerned about the risk of their own infection (p=.00001), as well as the threat to their own life (p=.00546) and the life of their relatives and closest ones (p=.0005) as a result of coronavirus spread. In addition, Uzbek students regard themselves healthier than Russian ones (p=.0329). Students’ self-estimation of happiness does not differ (p=.0776). Conclusions Differences in attitudes to COVID-19 among students are associated with more apparent socially oriented behavior of students from Uzbekistan, and more personality-oriented behavior of Russian students. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction After Russia decided to start COVID-19 vaccination of international students who are getting their education on its territory, they received an opportunity to get a single dose of COVID-19 Sputnik Light vaccine. What motives can such international students have for being vaccinated in the situation of uncertainty? Objectives Our goal is to define the structure of motivation for COVID-19 vaccination among international students who are getting education at different departments of the university. Methods In October 2021, we surveyed 409 international students getting education at Ulianov Chuvash State University in Cheboksary, who agreed to COVID-19 vaccination. Results Those who applied for vaccination were mostly 3rd year students (32.03%) and 4th year ones (21.52%). 8 students out of the surveyed (1.96%) had been vaccinated outside Russia, 4 – in Russia (0.98%). 8.56% of the pool had had COVID-19, 57.7% had not, 33.74% could not give a certain answer. Main motives for COVID-19 vaccination were: unwillingness to be ill (57.21%), unwillingness to have any limitations imposed (22.98%), unwillingness, especially of medical students, to have problems in their studies (12.22%), inclination towards following their relatives’ advice (5.13%), desire to follow the surrounding people’s example (1.98%). In personal conversations, the students often expressed their wish for being vaccinated with a 2-component Sputnik V vaccine for a better protection from illness. Conclusions The survey of the international students’ motives showed that most of them have positive attitude to COVID-19 vaccination and feel inclined to be vaccinated with a Russian vaccine in order to reduce the risk of getting ill. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Cardiac surgery patients (CSP) are cardiovascular patients who undergo surgery to treat their disease. Are their psychological characteristics different from those of other cardiac patients? Objectives The goal is to establish peculiarities of the clinical-and-psychological status of CSPs in different clinical groups. Methods According to clinical parameters, 152 CSPs were divided into three groups. The first group comprised patients with CHD indicated to an open-heart coronary artery bypass grafting, the second one included patients with heart failure who were to undergo aortic valve surgery, and the third group included CHD patients and those with heart rhythm abnormalities indicated to minimally invasive surgery. Results CSPs had a number of cardiologic complaints, mental disturbance manifestations and concomitant somatic diseases. They showed difference in the duration of the disease, previous occurrence of heart surgery or myocardial infarction, and in the degree of heart failure manifestations. Self-assessment of pre-surgery CSPs corresponded to the severity of their clinical condition, while indications of hope for recovery were at the maximum level. The second group showed a moderate level of depression, while the third one – slight depression. All the groups revealed a disharmonic profile of time perspective. Group 1 CSPs showed some manifestations of hostility. We saw different manifestations of CSPs’ personal adaptation resources. While hardiness had insufficient showings at the level of most components, social support was excessive in all groups. Conclusions CSPs as other cardiac patients revealed depressive disorders and hostility. At the same time, they have more social support, which testifies availability of good interpersonal resources. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Body image dissatisfaction entails an activity, which is nothing else but an attempt for deliberate regulation of their body. It has different kinds and manifestations. Most researchers focus on such body regulation practices as weight control, muscles build-up, or cosmetic surgery. Objectives Our goal is to work out a psychological hierarchical model of body regulation practices aimed at abating a person’s dissatisfaction with their body image. Methods Using a method of agglomerative hierarchical clustering, we carried out a multivariate classification of 122 respondents’ answers to the Body Regulation Practices Survey (E. Nikolaev), which allows establishing the frequency of the respondents’ use of each of the 11 variants of body regulation practices offered in the survey. Results Based on the results of 11 variables of a dendrogram, we established two data arrays, combining correspondingly 4 and 7 versions of body regulation practices. The first array comprises two pairs of clusters – physiological practices and weight control, as well as practices of personality and spiritual development. We identified it as “developmental body regulation practices”. The second array includes two paired clusters – aesthetic medicine and body modifications; image making and hetero-aggressive practices. Merging with the four practices mentioned above on a higher level of the hierarchy are auto-aggressive and inertial practices. We identified this array as “compensatory – non-adaptive body regulation practices”. Conclusions The devised model can become the basis for further advanced research in the area of body regulation in cases of dissatisfaction with body image. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Body image dissatisfaction as negative evaluation of personal physical characteristics is often associated with low self-esteem, eating and affective disorders. What body regulation practices can people resort to when they are dissatisfied with their body image? Objectives The goal is to determine body image practices that help people to reduce tension caused by dissatisfaction with their body image. Methods We obtained the data by using a focus group technique. The group comprised 43 healthy undergraduate university students of both genders. Afterwards, the data were subject to analysis and systematization. Results The findings revealed 11 variants that represent the spectrum of body regulation practices, which semantically can form three groups. The first group combines adaptive regulation practices that help people successfully adapt to actual life situation, develop their capabilities concerning their physiology, personality, intellectual interests, and image making. The second group combines compensatory regulation practices that mainly focus on one of the sides of body regulation, which bear a certain threat to their health (weight control, building up muscle bulk, medical cosmetology procedures, body modification). The third group includes non-adaptive body regulation practices associated with high risk to their health and personal wellbeing (auto-aggressive, hetero-aggressive, and psychopathological). Conclusions Information about preferable body regulation practices used by people who are dissatisfied with their body image can help predict health hazards and disorders, as well as work out targeted prevention programs. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Differentiation of targets for psychotherapy allows determining certain ways and priorities in psychological treatment of a patient. Objectives To work out a multi-level system of psychotherapeutic targets for clinical groups of cardiac surgery patients (CSPs). Methods Clinical and psychological analysis of 152 CSPs who were to undergo different types of cardiac surgery treatment. Results We have established four levels of psychotherapeutic targets: a patient’s response to surgery, psychopathologic manifestations, personality’s dysfunctional characteristics, and social interaction specificities. Towards CSPs with open-heart coronary artery bypass grafting, the targets appeared to be as follows: low expectations from surgery, low hopes for recovery, low level of satisfaction with life, depressive disorders with somatic manifestations, cognitive abnormalities, anxiety manifestations, manifestation of hostility, rejection of the past, inclination for fatality, reduced vitality, reduced social activity, expectation of help from closest people.Towards CSPs indicated to open-heart aortic valve repair surgery, psychotherapeutic targets were as follows: high expectations from surgery; moderate fear of death; not feeling well; low spirits; depressive disorders with somatic and cognitive-and-affective manifestations; cognitive abnormalities; anxiety manifestations; manifestation of hostility; rejection of the past; reduced hedonism; expectation of help from closest people; reduced social activity. Towards CSPs indicated to minimally invasive surgery, we set such targets as: moderate expectations from surgery; apparent fear of death; depressive disorders with somatic manifestations; anxiety manifestations; cognitive abnormalities; rejection of the past; expectation of help from closest people; reduced social activity. Conclusions Psychotherapy of CSPs that includes the established targets can contribute to personalized approach in a patient’s treatment. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), conceived in the womb of Chinese culture, is gaining more and more popularity in the world. What views on its possibilities do dentists studying in Russia have? Objectives Our goal is to establish the peculiarities of the attitude to TCM that are characteristic of dental students and correlate them with their psychosocial qualities. Methods We surveyed anonymously 106 dental students of Ulianov Chuvash State University using the Attitude to TCM Survey (E. Nikolaev) and the Sociocultural Health Questionnaire (E. Nikolaev). To analyze the interrelations, we used a correlation analysis. Results More than two thirds of the respondents (72.6%) know about TCM, 20.8% consider it more effective than conventional medicine. Respondents with a higher level of stress show more interest in TCM (r=.27, p

Introduction Love of life as a positive evaluation of one‘s own life plays an important role in developing a person’s positive outlook on their own wellbeing. Objectives Our goal is to define the nature of interrelations between manifestations of love of life and some psychosocial factors of health in university students. Methods Using the English version of the Love of Life Scale (Ahmed M. Abdel-Khalek) and the Sociocultural Health Questionnaire (E. Nikolaev), we carried out an online survey of 136 university students of both genders. A correlation analysis helped to define the interrelations. Results We established that a high level of the overall rate of Love of Life, on the one hand, corresponds to high self-evaluation of a person’s health (r=.31, p

Introduction Depression is one of common comorbid states that accompany cardiovascular diseases. Risk of co-morbidity can rise when patients have to undergo heart surgery, which is an additional stress-factor. Objectives To specify psychological correlations between depressive manifestations in cardiac surgery patients based on the analysis of their time perspective profile. Methods Using the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, we examined 60 cardiac surgery inpatients (80% male, mean age 58.25±10.55). We calculated the statistical estimation of the received data based on the comparison with the norm and the correlation analysis. Results The research revealed that cardiac surgery patients’ indices significantly exceeded the norm on three out of five scales – Negative-Past (t=4.405; p=.000), Positive-Past (t=3.536; p=.000), and Future (t=5.008; p=.000). We also identified essential correlations between the level of depression and the indices of Negative-Past (r=.390; p=.002) and Positive-Past (r=-.270; p=.037). We distinguished a positive correlation of the negative attitude to the past with cognitive-affective (r=.369; p=.004) and somatic (r=.338; p=.008) manifestations of depression, and a negative correlation with the level of education (r=-.292; p=.024). Conclusions The personal time perspective profile in cardiac surgery patients is unbalanced due to a high level of their negative attitude to the past with an optimal level in other time perspectives. The degree of the Negative-Past attitude correlates in the patients with a low level of education and a high risk of depression in all its manifestations. The given correlations should be taken into account when conducting preventive psychological interventions. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Depressive disorders are common for cardiac patients; however, a surgical intervention enhances their distress. How typical is suicidal ideation for cardiac surgery patients and with what clinical and psychological signs does it correlate? Objectives To estimate the frequency of suicidal ideation and correlations between suicidal ideation, clinical and psychological manifestations in cardiac surgery patients. Methods We examined 60 cardiac surgery patients, aged 25 – 65, prior to their operation. The Pierson correlation between manifestation of suicidal ideation, clinical and psychological signs was calculated with p

Introduction Unpredictable risks of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality make people suffer from threats and fears. Are there any psychological personality traits that correlate with a decrement in such feelings? Objectives To specify the relationship between psychological characteristics of time perspective, hardiness and COVID-19-related life threat. Methods We used Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, Maddi Hardiness Scale and a 17-point Attitude towards COVID-19 Questionnaire to question 327 Russian university students on social networks. The survey was carried out in the second half of May 2020 in the period of increasing COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates. The mean age of the respondents was 21.24±2.84; most of them were females (61.16%). Results The survey showed that every fifth respondent had a high level of COVID-19-related life threat (21.10 %). At the same time, every tenth of the respondents (10.09%) saw no threat to their life in the situation of a fast spreading dangerous novel coronavirus infection. According to the correlation analysis, decrement in feeling personal threat related to the spread of COVID-19 was directly associated (p

Introduction During the pandemic, many surveys studied people’s attitude to COVID-19. However, less information is available about the peculiarities of such attitude of the most vulnerable groups including chronic somatic patients who are in need of operative treatment. Objectives To identify the specificity of preoperative cardiac surgery patients’ attitudes toward COVID-19 as compared to that of healthy people. Methods We used the Attitudes towards COVID-19 questionnaire (Nikolaev E.) to survey 60 preoperative cardiac patients and 327 healthy university students. Difference validity was assessed with significance level of p

Introduction It is common knowledge that depressive disorders are prevalent in cardiac patients. The fact of a prospective heart surgery can have a negative effect on depressive manifestations in cardiac patients. Objectives To describe representation and structure of depression in preoperative cardiac surgery patients and its correlation with the patients’ personal time perspective Methods We used the Beck Depression Inventory to estimate the level and structure of depression in 60 cardiac surgery patients of both sexes and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory to identify the patients’ personal time perspective. Results We revealed depression of various manifestations in 53.4% of preoperative cardiac patients; 3.3% of them had severe depression, 11.7% – moderate depression, 8.3% – mild depression, 30.0% – minimal depression. The patients’ average level of depression was certainly higher than the standard one (t=3.295; р=.000). According to degree, the structure of depressive manifestations included asthenia, irritability, sleeping disorders, low sex drive, weight loss, pessimism, tearfulness, difficulty working, and difficulty taking decision. Two patients showed suicidal thoughts. We revealed a positive correlation between the depression level and a Negative-Past time perspective (r=.39) and a negative correlation with the Positive Past time perspective (r=-.27). Conclusions We identified depressive manifestations in every second preoperative cardiac patient. Every sixth one has moderate or severe depression, which calls for special attention. Research in personal time perspective has good prospects for psychological interventions. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Body modifications are a common practice in altering one’s appearance. Some authors refer to such practices body injuring (tattooing, piercing) and indirect body modification (dieting, bodybuilding). Objectives To study the attitudes of university students to body modifications considering their personal adaptation potential and experience of body injuring when modifying it. Methods We surveyed 104 university students aged 17–24 (65.3% males). The first group included 52 students who had experienced body altering (tattooing, piercing), the second group – 52 students without such an experience. We used the Maddi Hardiness Scale to assess the personal adaptation potential and a 14-point questionnaire to estimate the attitude to body modification. Results Over the half of the students in both groups consider that an insufficiently beautiful body needs “improving” (63.4% и 51.9%), but people do not have to intensively build up their muscles (51.9% и 84.7%). Students with modified bodies look more positively at piercing (z=5.4; p=.0001), weight control (z=5.20; p=.0001) and plastic surgery (z=4.02; p=.0001). Students with unmodified bodies credibly more rarely regard tattoo as decoration (z=3.7; p=.0002) and have a more negative attitude to pediatricians having tattoos (z=2.9; p=.003). Indicators of psychological hardiness in the first group are credibly lower – commitment (р=.01), control (р=.001) and challenge (р=.0001). Conclusions Students with a higher adaptation potential limit themselves to indirect body modifications (physical exercises). Students with a lower adaptation potential more often resort to body injuring (tattooing, piercing), which may reflect peculiarities of their personal response to stress or peculiarities of their mental status. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Suicidogenic effects COVID-19 pandemic are expected to reveal themselves not immediately, but within a longer period. Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of suicidal tendencies in university students during the COVID-19 outbreak and specify the psychosocial characteristics of the students with a low anti-suicidal barrier to mitigate their suicide risks. Methods The research was done via an on-line survey, which covered 536 students of both sexes (aged 21.46±2.95), who studied in Russian universities and who filled in a structured questionnaire during their distance learning due to COVID-19 outbreak. Results We revealed that 11.38% of the respondents (57.47% of whom are males) with a low anti-suicidal barrier showed suicidal tendencies by allowing the possibility of committing a suicide in a certain situation. Among them were more Russian students than international ones (p=.0272). They also certainly exceeded the students with the developed anti-suicidal barrier in taking alcohol (p=.0126), in underestimating their own health (p=.0053), in expressing happiness (p=.0001), and in degree of religious belief (p=.0001). They perceived the situation associated with the COVID-19 outbreak with a more strongly manifested anxiety due to the fear of their own infection with coronavirus (p=0.0347). At the same time, they acted less responsibly in following personal restrictive measures aimed to reduce the risk of infection (p=.0002). Conclusions Students with suicidal tendencies during the COVID-19 outbreak present a risk group in COVID-19 spread and infection. The pandemic can intensify anti-vital sufferings and enhance the risk of committing suicide in individuals with suicidal tendencies, which should be taken into account in prevention programs.

Introduction Young people, regarded as less susceptible to the virus, may differently perceive the situation associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. Objectives To determine the differences in perception of COVID-19 and preventive actions taken against it by domestic and international university students under the spreading threat of COVID-19 illness. Methods During the outbreak of COVID-19, 224 domestic and 312 international students of Russian universities responded via on-line to the self-constructed Attitude towards COVID-19 Questionnaire. Results The showings of the international students were surely higher than those of domestic students in seriousness of their evaluation of the COVID-19-related situation in the world (p=.0006), in the country (p=.0096), and in the region (p=.0390); in the evaluation of the virus-related risks for aged and chronic patients (p=.0075), in adequacy of measures taken by the government against COVID-19 (p=.0114), in degree of disturbing their customary way of life (p=.0363), and ruining their plans for the future (p=.0161). The international students, who live mostly not at their homes and have a higher stress level (p=.0227), showed higher interest to COVID-19-related news (p=.0001), they were stricter in taking preventive measures: in wearing a mask, washing hands, keeping the distance in order to reduce the risk of the virus infection (p=.0009). Conclusions During the COVID-19 outbreak, both the international and domestic students are calm in perceiving the threat to their health and life. At the same time, with a higher stress level, the international students are more watchful concerning the situation of COVID-19 spread, and they more strictly obey the restrictive measures.

Introduction COVID-19 is a disease with insufficiently studied diagnosis, therapy, and prevention that causes anxiety disorders in population. Objectives To evaluate prevalence and correlates of COVID-19-related anxiety in university students during the period of their distant learning due to COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The on-line survey of May 2020 covered 327 Russian university students aged 17-40. The questions concerned evaluation of threats, risks and acute problems faced by the students and their closest people in the situation of COVID-19 spread. We determined the anxiety level of the students by the degree of their concern about high risk of COVID-19 infection. Results We established that 17.1% of the students had maximal level of COVID-19-related anxiety that correlated with older age (r=.13), better academic performance (r=.12), expectation of higher COVID-19-related threat to their life (r=.57), to the closest people’s health (r=.44), to the aged people’s lives (r=.16). It correlated with a more serious approach to evaluating the COVID-19-related situation and dangers in the world (r=.19), in the country (r=.24), and in the region of their residence (r=.37). Students with a high anxiety level often saw in pandemic a threat to their way of life (r=.12), material wellbeing (r=.12), and plans for the future (r=.11). They more strictly obeyed the restrictions (r=.13) and they did not exclude a recurrence of COVID-19 type pandemics in the future (r=.17). Conclusions COVID-19 related anxiety is present in every sixth student and it correlates with older age and better academic performance. These students may have a high risk for depressive disorders.

Introduction The effect of COVID-19 on different age groups is not the same. It is of great interest to see how specifically students, who are regarded as a less susceptible group, relate to COVID-19 during the period of government imposed lockdown. Objectives To determine the factorial structure of the revealed university students’ attitudes to COVID-19 during the period of lockdown and distance learning. Methods We questioned online 127 male and 200 female Russian universities students during their distance learning. We used a 17-point Attitude towards COVID-19 Questionnaire based on the results of the half-structured interview with the students. We subjected the received data to a factor analysis. Results With the principal components method, we obtained a five-factor structure of the questionnaire under study with the total variance of 65.2%. According to the content of the questions, we defined these factors in the following way: factor of COVID-19 danger to the society (with variance – 20.2%); factor of ruined personal life plans (14.0%); factor of COVID-19 threat to personal health and life (13.9%); factor of disbelief in COVID-19 dangers (9.1%) and factor of expecting new pandemics (8.0%). Here is the hierarchy of the mean numbers of students who had maximal points in each of the factors mentioned: 66.6%; 59.3%; 24.4%; 23.9% and 23.2%. Conclusions The students’ attitudes to COVID-19 depended on different tendencies during the lockdown period. The prevailing perception of COVID-19 as a real threat to health and life went together with the undervaluation of its significance and a shift to everyday life issues.