Mental health, partnerships, and sexual behavior of German university students after the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the state of mental health, partnerships, and sexual activity of German university students after the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants and methods: In June and July 2021, 928 students (23.6 years; 63.5% female) from four universities in Germany participated in an online survey that assessed depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as data on partnerships and sexuality. Results: Of the students, 56.4% were above the cutoff for clinically relevant depressive symptoms and 35.7% were above the cutoff for clinically relevant anxiety symptoms. Female gender, higher academic-related stress, lower financial resources, higher strain due to COVID-19, and more loneliness were associated with more severe symptoms. A quarter of the students each reported an improvement or deterioration in their partnerships. Conclusions: Student mental health appears to be worse compared to pre-pandemic and first wave data. It should be examined whether symptoms decrease when universities reopen.