Anxiety and depressive symptoms of German university students 20 months after the COVID-19 outbreak - A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Given the long duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring mental health remains important. This study aimed to determine (1) the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among university students 20 months after the first COVID-19 restrictions and (2) which factors were associated with these outcomes.

METHODS: The cross-sectional COVID-19 German Student Well-being Study (C19 GSWS) collected data of 7025 students at five German universities. Associations between anxiety and depressive symptoms with sociodemographic and other factors were analysed using multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 23.9 years (SD = 4.9), 67 % were female and 31 % male. The prevalence for depressive symptoms was 29 % (PHQ-2) and 12 % (CES-D 8) and 32 % for anxiety. A complicated relationship status, the lack of a trusted person, and financial difficulties were associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. University students who were worried about (re-) infection with COVID-19 had a 1.37-times higher chance for reporting anxiety (GAD-2: OR, 95 % CI: 1.09-1.71). Those with pre-existing cardiovascular health conditions had an up to 3.21-times higher chance for reporting depressive symptoms (OR, CESD-D 8, 95 % CI: 1.44-7.14).

LIMITATIONS: The study design is cross-sectional and uses self-reported outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Concepts for prevention and counselling to tackle mental health problems in students are needed and programmes should take specific stressors related to the pandemic into account.