Risk factors for mental disorder among university students in Australia: findings from a web-based cross-sectional survey

• Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 2013-06, Vol.48 (6), p.935-944
• Main Authors: Said, David, Kypri, Kypros, Bowman, Jenny
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Alcohol; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Alcohol use; Anxiety disorders; Australia - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; College students; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology); Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Eating disorders; Education; Epidemiology; Female; Gay students; Health aspects; Health surveys; Heterosexuality; Homosexuality; Humans; Internet; Logistic Models; Male; Medical research; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Medicine, Experimental; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental health; Mood disorders; Original Paper; Parenting; Parents - education; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Students - psychology; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; University students; Women
• ISSN: 0933-7954; 1433-9285
• DOI: 10.1007/s00127-012-0574-x

Purpose To identify variables associated with common mental disorders in an Australian university population. Methods We invited all Australia-based students from a large public university ( N  = 24,209) to participate in a web-based student mental health survey. Outcome measures included the patient health questionnaire depression, anxiety, and eating disorders modules, and the alcohol use disorders identification test. Explanatory variables of interest included gender, age, year of study, degree type, financial means, parental education, domestic/international status, and sexual orientation. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate independent associations with the four outcomes. Results Complete responses were received from 6,044 students (25 %). Proportions reporting depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and harmful drinking were 8, 13, 14, and 8 %, respectively, while 30 % had at least one of these disorders. The groups with the highest rates of disorder were women, 25–34-year-olds, students on low income, and homosexual or bisexual students. Parental education was not associated with disorder, nor was international/domestic status. Conclusion This is the first study examining mental disorders in a population-based sample of university students in Australia. Given increasing student numbers and participation of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, policy is urgently needed to promote better mental health in this population, to routinely identify vulnerable students, and to intervene early. Groups in particular need are women, students on low incomes, and homosexual or bisexual students.