Centre for Research and Development, Region Gävleborg/Uppsala University, Gävle, Sweden.
School of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, Coleraine, Co. Derry, UK; Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
Psychiatry Res. 2022 Jan;307:114314. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114314. Epub 2021 Nov 27.
The increase in psychological disorders and suicidal behaviour in students is a reason for growing concern. Some may start university with pre-existing problems, while others develop problems during this time. It is important to evaluate mental health and wellbeing early, identifying those at risk. The aim of this study was to compare mental health problems and help-seeking behaviour between students in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Whilst geographically proximate, the institutions span a cross-border region with distinct education and healthcare systems. First-year undergraduate students (n = 1828) were recruited in September 2019 as part of the World Mental Health International College Student Initiative. Suicidal behaviour, mental health and substance disorders were investigated using the World Mental Health- Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Prevalence of disorders was high, with more ROI students experiencing problems than NI students. Students were significantly more likely to experience mental health problems if they were female (p<0.001), non-heterosexual (p<0.0001), and over the age of 21 (p<0.0001). These findings show that many students are starting university with high levels of psychopathology and suicidal behaviour, highlighting the importance of early intervention which may need to be tailored to different student populations.
学生中心理障碍和自杀行为的增加令人日益担忧。一些学生可能在入学前就存在问题，而另一些学生则在这段时间出现问题。及早评估心理健康和幸福感，识别有风险的人群非常重要。本研究旨在比较北爱尔兰（NI）和爱尔兰共和国（ROI）学生的心理健康问题和寻求帮助的行为。虽然地理位置相近，但这些机构跨越了一个具有独特教育和医疗保健系统的跨境地区。2019 年 9 月，作为世界心理健康国际大学生倡议的一部分，招募了 1828 名一年级本科生。使用世界心理健康综合国际诊断访谈调查了自杀行为、心理健康和物质障碍。研究发现，患病率很高，ROI 的学生比 NI 的学生经历更多的问题。如果学生是女性（p<0.001）、非异性恋（p<0.0001）和 21 岁以上（p<0.0001），他们更有可能出现心理健康问题。这些发现表明，许多学生在开始大学生涯时就已经存在高水平的精神病理学和自杀行为，这凸显了早期干预的重要性，而早期干预可能需要针对不同的学生群体进行调整。
