College Student Population Research Articles

Two Way Crossed Classification of Social Media Usage Time and Study Time as Factors Affecting the Academic Performance of Nigeria Students.

Social media as the name implies has been a medium of social interactions, information dissemination and communications in our world today. In other words, it is a computer-based technology that makes it easier to communicate ideas, opinions, and facts by forming important networks and organizations. As such, its importance has been hugely harnessed in education sector for information sharing, searching and social interaction among university students.However, its usage among students may have negative impact on their academic performances. Therefore, this study tried to find out the impact of the variables; social media usage time and study time on the academic performance of Nigerian students using Two-way Crossed Classification. A sampling survey strategy was adopted to get a representative of our target population of university students from which we inferred our findings for the entire population under study. To achieve this, a google form comprising of ten questions of which two of the questions were provided on a five-point Likert scale, with the five possibilities being strongly disagree, disagree, strongly agree, agree, and neutral was developed. The study revealed that spending time on social media alone is not sufficient to adversely affect a student’s academic performance. It also says the same for time spent studying. That means that these two factors when acting alone do not affect a student’s academic performance either positively or negatively. Now, this does not entirely imply that social media usage time cannot affect students’ performance or that spending time studying has no part to play in students’ performing well or poorly but at the 95% confidence level i.e., a significance level of 5% these factors have no individual significant contribution to students’ academic performance.

Psychological and Behavioral Predictors of Procrastination in Undergraduates

Utilizing previous work in personality theory, implicit theory of intelligence, goal orientation, and self-efficacy theory, we conducted this exploratory study to identify predictors of general procrastination tendencies among undergraduates. We analyzed a sample of 267 undergraduate students from introductory psychology courses at a public rural university. A standard multiple regression analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics was performed on 16 psychological variables and 1 behavioral variable to identify presence of predictive influence on the dependent variable of procrastination as measured by Lay (1986) for college student populations. Regression analysis revealed that the model achieved significance at predicting procrastination in undergraduate students, F(17, 249) = 14.73, p < .001, r2 = .50, adj r2 = .47. The resultant model identified 4 significant predictors and 9 additional significant correlates, 7 of which were significant at p < .01. Positive predictors included growth mindset beliefs (β=. 16, p = .003) and academic entitlement beliefs (β = .12, p = .023). Negative predictors included conscientiousness (β = –.55, p < .001) and college student efficacy beliefs (β=– .17, p = .011). These findings are consistent with previous work and further support the roles and directional influences of conscientiousness, college student efficacy beliefs, and implicit theory of intelligence beliefs on procrastination, and add to the growing literature on academic entitlement beliefs.

A Pilot Study of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale among Chinese University Student Population

A Pilot Study of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale among Chinese University Student Population

Towards the development of complex thinking in university students: Mixed methods with ideathon and artificial intelligence

This article examines the capacity of an artificial intelligence (AI) platform to assess university students' mastery of complex thinking. Central questions addressed include the identification of essential technical elements that contribute to the platform's effectiveness, and how the AI platform can boost student motivation and cultivate complex thinking. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, anchored by an Ideathon centered on the Sharing Economy. Qualitative insights were drawn from semi-structured interviews with nine university students. The results indicate that the platform effectively evaluates complex thinking proficiency, differentiating between systemic, scientific, and innovative thinking. Notably, the AI-driven personalization of the platform was found to significantly enhance student motivation. This study highlights the capabilities of AI platforms in competency assessment and suggests that future research should investigate how such data can inform strategies to develop complex reasoning among diverse university student populations.

Impact of Colours in Classroom Interiors on Mental Health Undergraduates With Reference to Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Levels

Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms are alarmingly increasing among university student populations and may have a major impact on achieving their academic and life goals. It is seen that in most cases the student’s academic performance, health, and quality of life is negatively impacted as a result. Research suggests that Architectural elements have an impact on mental distresses and individual wellbeing. This research attempted to address the above concern by focusing on the impact of colour, as an Architectural element, on psychiatric imbalances among Undergraduates with special consideration on depression, anxiety, and stress levels. The study was conducted with 36 participants from the Department of Architecture of the University of Moratuwa. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic's travel limitations, the study was conducted remotely through Zoom online conferencing platform and non-immersive virtual mode under three selected colour conditions (tints of green, blue, and red) with the aid of DASS-21 scale to evaluate stress, anxiety, and depression levels. Colour red was found to induce the most adverse impacts on stress, anxiety, and depression levels, whereas green indicated a comparatively low adverse impact. Blue had the slightest adverse impact on depression and anxiety with a slightly favourable impact on reducing stress. The findings of this study suggests that the incorporation of appropriate colours in design interventions could facilitate the creation of better classroom interiors in order to address depression, anxiety and stress related disorders of undergraduates. Further investigations in physical mode, incorporating a larger sample and other subject streams is recommended.

Prevalence and Possible Predictors of Gambling Disorder in a Sample of Students in the Healthcare Professions.

The Italian version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen questionnaire (SOGS) and a socio-demographic questionnaire were administered to a sample of 275 healthcare professions students aged 19 to 58 years (mean age = 22.17; females = 81.1%) to address the research objectives: to examine the prevalence and correlates of problem gambling in a population of university healthcare professions students in Italy. Among the sample, 8.7% (n = 24) of participants showed problem gambling and 1.5% (n = 4) pathologic gambling. Lottery and scratch cards were the most frequent type of gambling in the sample, followed by cards and bingo. Compared to females, males tend to be more involved in problem gambling and pathological gambling. Males tend to be more involved than females in different types of gambling (such as cards, sports bets, gambling at the casino). Pathological gambling is positively associated with gender, being students lagging behind the regular schedule of exams and parents' level of education. These findings have important implications in terms of prevention and intervention on gambling and pathological gambling. Universities should make available educational programs and counselling services to address this issue.

Towards a health promoting university: descriptive findings on health, wellbeing and academic performance amongst university students in Australia

BackgroundUniversities are increasingly recognised as institutions where health and wellbeing can be promoted to maximise academic outcomes, career transitions, and lifelong positive health behaviours. There is concern about the mental health of university students and other factors which affect academic outcomes particularly for subgroups such as international students. There are few cohort studies of the breadth of issues that can impact on mental health and academic outcomes for both local and international students. We conducted a baseline prevalence survey of students at a large Australian university covering health, academic, and social determinants of wellbeing. The purpose was to inform the university’s new student health and wellbeing framework with a view to follow-up to determine predictors of mental ill-health and academic outcomes in the subsequent year. In this paper we present the baseline prevalence data and report on selected mental health and health care access issues for local and international students.MethodsThe entire university population as of April 2019 of over 56,375 students aged 18 or above were invited to complete the online survey. Questions explored eight domains: demographic characteristics, general health and wellbeing, mental health, risk taking behaviours, psychosocial stressors, learning and academic factors, social and cultural environment, and awareness of and access to health and wellbeing services. Records of academic results were also accessed and matched with survey data for a large subset of students providing consent.ResultsFourteen thousand eight hundred eighty (26.4%) students commenced our survey and were representative of the entire student population on demographic characteristics. Three quarters were aged between 18 to 25 years and one third were international students. Eighty-five percent consented to access of their academic records. Similar proportions of local and international students experienced symptoms of a depression or anxiety disorder, however international students were less aware of and less likely to access available health services both inside and external to the university. We also reported on the prevalence of: general lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, amount of daily sleep); risk-taking behaviours (including alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; unprotected sexual activity); psychosocial stressors (financial, intimate partner violence, discrimination, academic stressors, acculturative stress); subjects failed; resilience; social supports; social media use; and health services accessed online.ConclusionsThis rigorous and comprehensive examination of the health status of local and international students in an Australian university student population establishes the prevalence of mental health issues and other psychosocial determinants of health and wellbeing, along with academic performance. This study will inform a university-wide student wellbeing framework to guide health and wellbeing promotion and is a baseline for a 12-month follow-up of the cohort in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coughs, colds and “freshers’ flu” survey in the University of Cambridge, 2007–2008

Universities provide many opportunities for the spread of infectious respiratory illnesses. Students are brought together into close proximity from all across the world and interact with one another in their accommodation, through lectures and small group teaching and in social settings. The COVID-19 global pandemic has highlighted the need for sufficient data to help determine which of these factors are important for infectious disease transmission in universities and hence control university morbidity as well as community spillover. We describe the data from a previously unpublished self-reported university survey of coughs, colds and influenza-like symptoms collected in Cambridge, UK, during winter 2007–2008. The online survey collected information on symptoms and socio-demographic, academic and lifestyle factors. There were 1076 responses, 97% from University of Cambridge students (5.7% of the total university student population), 3% from staff and <1% from other participants, reporting onset of symptoms between September 2007 and March 2008. Undergraduates are seen to report symptoms earlier in the term than postgraduates; differences in reported date of symptoms are also seen between subjects and accommodation types, although these descriptive results could be confounded by survey biases. Despite the historical and exploratory nature of the study, this is one of few recent detailed datasets of influenza-like infection in a university context and is especially valuable to share now to improve understanding of potential transmission dynamics in universities during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Further evidence in support of the validity of the post-secondary student stressors index using a nationwide, cross-sectional sample of Canadian university students.

The Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI) was created to facilitate improved evaluation of the sources of post-secondary student stress. This study reports evidence in support of the validity of the tool using a large, nationwide cross-sectional sample of students attending universities across Canada during the 2020-2021 academic year. We provide additional evidence for the construct validation of the PSSI, including internal structure evidence and relations to other variables by estimating multiple-indicator, multiple-cause models and investigating Spearman's rho correlation coefficients between the PSSI and like constructs. Based on index validation guidelines, results provide further support for the internal structure of the PSSI, demonstrating hypothesized relationships with like constructs and manifest variables, as well as acceptable goodness-of-fit statistics. Similarly, correlation coefficients were statistically significant and in line with directionality hypotheses. The results of this research provide further evidence for the validity of the PSSI among varied university student populations in Canada and addresses several of the limitations identified in earlier preliminary psychometric work on the instrument.

Challenges in Recruiting University Students for Web-Based Indicated Prevention of Depression and Anxiety: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial (ICare Prevent).

Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions in college and university student populations. Offering transdiagnostic, web-based prevention programs such as ICare Prevent to those with subclinical complaints has the potential to reduce some barriers to receiving help (eg, availability of services, privacy considerations, and students' desire for autonomy). However, uptake of these interventions is often low, and accounts of recruitment challenges are needed to complement available effectiveness research in student populations. The aims of this study were to describe recruitment challenges together with effective recruitment strategies for ICare Prevent and provide basic information on the intervention's effectiveness. A 3-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted in a student sample with subclinical symptoms of depression and anxiety on the effectiveness of an individually guided (human support and feedback on exercises provided after each session, tailored to each participant) and automatically guided (computer-generated messages provided after each session, geared toward motivation) version of ICare Prevent, a web-based intervention with transdiagnostic components for the indicated prevention of depression and anxiety. The intervention was compared with care as usual. Descriptive statistics were used to outline recruitment challenges and effective web-based and offline strategies as well as students' use of the intervention. A basic analysis of intervention effects was conducted using a Bayesian linear mixed model, with Bayes factors reported as the effect size. Direct recruitment through students' email addresses via the central student administration was the most effective strategy. Data from 35 participants were analyzed (individually guided: n=14, 40%; automatically guided: n=8, 23%; care as usual: n=13, 37%). Use of the intervention was low, with an average of 3 out of 7 sessions (SD 2.9) completed. The analyses did not suggest any intervention effects other than anecdotal evidence (all Bayes factors10≤2.7). This report adds to the existing literature on recruitment challenges specific to the student population. Testing the feasibility of recruitment measures and the greater involvement of the target population in their design, as well as shifting from direct to indirect prevention, can potentially help future studies in the field. In addition, this report demonstrates an alternative basic analytical strategy for underpowered randomized controlled trials. International Clinical Trials Registry Platform NTR6562; https://tinyurl.com/4rbexzrk. RR2-10.1186/s13063-018-2477-y.

The Use of Passive Smartphone Data to Monitor Anxiety and Depression Among College Students in Real-World Settings: Protocol for a Systematic Review

College students are particularly at risk of depression and anxiety. These disorders have a serious impact on public health and affect patients' daily lives. The potential for using smartphones to monitor these mental conditions, providing passively collected physiological and behavioral data, has been reported among the general population. However, research on the use of passive smartphone data to monitor anxiety and depression among specific populations of college students has never been reviewed. This review's objectives are (1) to provide an overview of the use of passive smartphone data to monitor depression and anxiety among college students, given their specific type of smartphone use and living setting, and (2) to evaluate the different methods used to assess those smartphone data, including their strengths and limitations. This review will follow the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Two independent investigators will review English-language, full-text, peer-reviewed papers extracted from PubMed and Web of Science that measure passive smartphone data and levels of depression or anxiety among college students. A preliminary search was conducted in February 2022 as a proof of concept. Our preliminary search identified 115 original articles, 8 of which met our eligibility criteria. Our planned full study will include an article selection flowchart, tables, and figures representing the main information extracted on the use of passive smartphone data to monitor anxiety and depression among college students. The planned review will summarize the published research on using passive smartphone data to monitor anxiety and depression among college students. The review aims to better understand whether and how passive smartphone data are associated with indicators of depression and anxiety among college students. This could be valuable in order to provide a digital solution for monitoring mental health issues in this specific population by enabling easier identification and follow-up of the patients. PROSPERO CRD42022316263; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=316263. DERR1-10.2196/38785.

Sitting Meditation and Mindfulness Effects on Overall Anxiety and Test Anxiety Among College Students

AbstractResearch shows that mindfulness interventions for test anxiety in a college student population are beneficial (Lothes, Matney, &amp; Naseer, 2022). This study assessed the effects of online mindfulness practices over a 5‐week period on anxiety and test anxiety in college students. Participants included 20 students that were randomly assigned to either a sitting meditation or a wait list control (WLC). A weekly schedule of mindfulness practices was given to participants to complete on their own for 5 weeks. The WLC did not do any mindfulness for the first 5 weeks. Participants in the both conditions showed significant within‐group reductions in test anxiety, overall anxiety, and DASS scores during their mindfulness interventions. Both groups also showed significant increases in FFMQ scores. Mindfulness may play a role in the reduction of anxiety and test anxiety. Further research is needed to assess how mindfulness may affect anxiety and test anxiety in college students.

Effects of a Single-Session Intervention Targeting Perfectionism in College Students

Perfectionism is a well-established transdiagnostic factor that contributes to the maintenance and exacerbation of a wide range of psychopathology. Although effective, most treatments for perfectionism are inaccessible to the general population, and are time-, resource-, and cost-intensive. Online single-session interventions (SSIs) display promise in preventing and treating negative mental health symptoms; however, no studies have examined the effectiveness of an online SSI targeting perfectionism. To address this, the present study sought to evaluate a novel computerized, self-guided SSI. The two primary aims of the study were: 1) to assess the intervention’s acceptability, likability, and utility, and 2) to examine whether the intervention reduces perfectionistic attitudes, depression, anxiety, and stress in a college student population. At baseline, students at a liberal arts college (N=79) were randomized to receive a 40-minute perfectionism SSI or a stress-management control. Participants rated the perfectionism intervention as highly helpful, acceptable, and likable. The perfectionism intervention was associated with greater improvements in perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and stress; however, the differences in reductions between the groups were not statistically significant. Given the small sample size, the study was likely underpowered to detect differences between conditions. Future research with larger sample sizes, a less potent control group, and clinical populations is needed to test the effects of the intervention more extensively. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that single-session perfectionism interventions hold promise and merit future investigation. Keywords: Perfectionism, Single-Session Interventions, Online Interventions, College Students

Student Food Selection Behaviour after Returning to Face-to-Face Classes

The pandemic raised awareness about the consumption of healthy and high- quality food which was practiced at home leaving aside the consumption of "junk food" but students are returning to the consumption of these unhealthy foods in university. The objective of this research is to describe and analyze the behavior of students in the selection of their food (good and bad for health) after returning to school. The methodology applied is descriptive, correlational and predictive of a cross-sectional quantitative type in which 765 students participated anonymously and voluntarily in an online survey. Results. A low level of consumption of "good" foods was found while the consumption of "bad" foods is growing daily. Conclusion. " Good" food is only eaten at home while “bad" food is eaten everywhere A policy of selling healthy food should be implemented. If these foods are not regulated, there is a tendency to have an overweight university student population in the future.

Suicidal Ideation Amongst University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Time Trends and Risk Factors.

Examine time trends in suicidal ideation in post-secondary students over the first three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and identify subpopulations of students with increased risk. We analysed 14 months of data collected through repeated cross-sectional deployment of the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health-International College Student (WMH-ICS) survey at the University of British Columbia. Estimated log odds weekly trends of 30-day suicidal ideation (yes/no) were plotted against time with adjustments for demographics using binary logistic generalized additive model (GAM). Risk factors for 30-day suicidal ideation frequency (four categories) were examined using the ordered logistic GAM, with a cubic smoothing spline for modelling time trend in obervation weeks and accounting for demographics. Nearly one-fifth (18.9%) of students experienced suicidal ideation in the previous 30 days. While the estimated log odds suggested that binary suicidal ideation was relatively stable across the course of the pandemic, an initial drop followed by an increasing trend was observed. Risk factors for suicidal ideation frequency during the pandemic included identifying as Chinese or as another non-Indigenous ethnic minority; experiencing current symptoms of depression or anxiety; having a history of suicidal planning or attempts; and feeling overwhelmed but unable to get help as a result of COVID-19. Older age was identified as a protective factor. The general university student population in our study was relatively resilient with respect to suicidal ideation during the first three waves of the pandemic, but trends indicate the possibility of delayed impact. Specific sub-populations were found to be at increased risk and should be considered for targeted support. Further analyses should be undertaken to continue monitoring suicidality trends throughout the remainder of the pandemic and beyond.

A psychometric evaluation of the Marijuana Problems Index among college students: Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance by gender.

Although the Marijuana Problems Index (MPI) is widely used in studies with college student samples to reflect a unidimensional measure of cannabis-related problems, no studies have assessed the psychometric properties of the MPI in a college student population. The present study sought to resolve this gap in a sample of 879 college students reporting past-year cannabis use. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the factor structure of the unidimensional 23- and 18-item MPI and measurement invariance across gender. Bivariate correlations between the final factors, cannabis use history/frequency, and other substance use outcomes were used to examine concurrent and discriminant validities (i.e., vs. noncannabis outcomes). The 18-item (but not the 23-item) MPI demonstrated good model fit, measurement invariance across gender, adequate internal reliability, as well as concurrent and discriminant validities. Results support the use of the 18-item MPI over the 23-item MPI for conceptualizing problematic cannabis use, including the testing of gender-specific differences, among college students. Findings also reinforce the importance of evaluating the psychometric properties of widely used measures across samples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining students’ knowledge of infant feeding: A non-experimental descriptive study

Introduction: Breastfeeding rates in Canada are suboptimal, putting mothers and their infants’ health at risk. Understanding breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes in the university student population is important as many are likely to become parents in the future. University students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding infant feeding has been studied internationally; however, no studies including both female and male students have been conducted in Canada. The purpose of this study was to determine breastfeeding experiences, education, knowledge, infant feeding attitude and perceptions of the difference in mode of infant feeding among university students which can be used to inform future health promotion campaigns and school curriculum. Methods: A non-experimental, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in which data from university students was collected to to identify knowledge and attitude toward breastfeeding identify differences in knowledge of breast and bottle feeding. Results: Findings suggest 65% (n=117) of university students had no previous knowledge of breastfeeding practices. Conclusion: Breastfeeding information within the high school curriculum is needed to support evidence-informed preconception infant feeding choices and increase future parents' understanding of how breastfeeding works to assist them in meeting their future infant feeding goals and increase breastfeeding rates.

Self-critical thinking mediates the relationship between perfectionism and perceived stress in undergraduate students: A longitudinal study

• We examined the concurrent and longitudinal relationships between multidimensional perfectionism, perceived stress, and self-critical thinking in a sample of UK university students. • Longitudinal analysis revealed baseline perfectionism to predict increased stress and self-critical thinking at follow-up. • Self-hatred and inadequacy at baseline mediated the. longitudinal relationship between baseline perfectionism and perceived stress at follow-up • Whilst perfectionism may amplify perceived stress, self-critical thinking may accentuate this relationship due to self-defeating styles of cognitive appraisal. The present study examined the concurrent and longitudinal relationships between multidimensional perfectionism, perceived stress, and self-critical thinking in a sample of UK university students. Specifically, to determine whether self-critical thinking at baseline mediated the longitudinal relationship between baseline perfectionism and future stress at follow-up. At baseline, N=220 students completed measures of multidimensional perfectionism, perceived stress, and self-critical thinking, whereas N=84 completed the same measures at follow-up. Socially prescribed, and self-oriented perfectionism were related to increased stress, self-hatred, and self-inadequacy at baseline. Longitudinal analysis revealed that baseline self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism were significantly related to increased reports of stress and self-critical thinking fifteen weeks later at follow-up. More crucially, multiple mediation analysis found self-hatred and inadequacy at baseline mediated the longitudinal relationship between baseline perfectionism and perceived stress at follow-up. Perfectionistic and self-critical thinking appears to accentuate the experience of perceived stress in the university student population. Student-based interventions to reduce self-critical thinking may prove beneficial in preventing the onset of perceived stress.

‘Just a few more minutes online - and I will release myself from tension’ The moderation mediating effect of problematic cyber-activities and Japanese vs. West European culture on the relationship between student burnout and cyber-aggression

Past studies indicate that a number of environmental and psychological factors positively predict the perpetration of cyber-aggression. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the moderation mediating effect of problematic cyber-activities (FB addiction, phubbing) and culture (Japanese vs. West European) on the association between student burnout and cyber-aggression behaviours among the university student population. In the current studies 171 West European (83% Females, age M = 23.16, SD = 5.46) and 120 Japanese (50% Females, age M = 21.95, SD = 1.62) students. The highest levels of academic dissatisfaction, phubbing, and cyber–aggression in FB-addicted students were found. The phubbing mediated the association between student burnout and cyber-aggression behaviours, but the results for FB addiction in simple mediation analysis were insignificant. Furthermore, FB addiction and culture were significant moderators of phubbing and cyber-aggression behaviours.

Assessment of mental health of university students faced with different lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic, a repeated cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background: Studies have highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of university students. However, little is known about the psychological impact of successive lockdowns on this population. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of psychological distress in a student population during the first two lockdowns linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to stratify them by subgroup. Methods: We used a repeated cross-sectional study of a university student population in France during the first lockdown, the unlockdown, and the second lockdown. We measured rates of depression, anxiety, distress and suicidal ideation. A weighted prevalence was calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Predictors of symptom progression were measured using adjusted logistic regression. Results: 19,150 university students responded to the surveys. Our results suggest a significant decrease in the scores for depression (aOR = 0.64; CI%: 0.59–0.70), anxiety (aOR = 0.81; CI%: 0.74–0.88), and distress symptoms (aOR = 0.47; CI%: 0.43–0.51) between the first lockdown and the lifting of the lockdown. However, a significant increase in symptoms of depression (aOR = 1.53; CI%: 1.43-1.64), anxiety (aOR = 1.56; CI%: 1.45–1.67) and suicidal ideation (aOR = 1.59; CI%: 1.45–1.73) between the first and second lockdown is highlighted. The most impacted students are PhD students, they show a significant increase (aOR = 4.37; CI%: 1.41–13.54) in suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Mental health professionals will need to be vigilant about this population, both to provide care for psychological distress, but also to reduce the risk of PhD students dropping out. HIGHLIGHTS Successive lockdowns have a significant impact on the mental health of university students. PhD students have experienced the most significant deterioration in their mental health. The rate of suicidal ideation has increased significantly across the university student population.