Affan Rawad, Darwich Khalil, Jarrouge Georges, Hannouch Theresia, Assaad Shafika
School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon.
BMC Public Health. 2025 May 19;25(1):1848. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23087-3.
The transition from high school to university is a critical life stage associated with heightened vulnerability to mental health challenges. Despite global recognition, there is limited research on the psychosocial risks faced by first-year university students in Lebanon, a region further burdened by socio-economic and political instability.
To assess the mental health status of first-year university students in Lebanon, focusing on the prevalence and intensity of mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress during the transitional period.
This cross-sectional study involved 1,024 students from multiple Lebanese universities during the 2023-2024 academic year. Data were collected via a self-reported questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), that assesses mental health across four key dimensions: somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and P-values were used to analyze demographic, behavioral, and mental health data.
A significant gender difference in employment (χ = 18.81, p = 0.00086) was found. The GHQ-28 survey results indicate that 64.3% of university students experience psychological distress, with higher prevalence among females (67.3%) than males (60.8%) (χ = 4.42, p = 0.035). 31.7% reported sleep disturbances, 27.9% felt overwhelmed, and 33.2% experienced hopelessness. 18.8% had thoughts of self-harm, and 3.1% considered ending their life. The GHQ-28 scores indicate a high prevalence of mental health challenges, taking a score of 24 as a cut off score.
The study highlights the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions for Lebanese university students, addressing both universal and region-specific challenges. The findings emphasize the importance of early intervention, increased access to mental health resources, and promoting systemic changes to improve overall student well-being.
从高中到大学的过渡是人生中的一个关键阶段，在此期间，人们更容易受到心理健康问题的困扰。尽管这一现象已得到全球关注，但对于黎巴嫩一年级大学生所面临的社会心理风险的研究却很有限，而黎巴嫩地区还受到社会经济和政治不稳定的进一步影响。
评估黎巴嫩一年级大学生的心理健康状况，重点关注过渡期间焦虑、抑郁和压力等心理健康问题的患病率和严重程度。
这项横断面研究在2023 - 2024学年对来自黎巴嫩多所大学的1024名学生进行。数据通过自我报告问卷和一般健康问卷 - 28（GHQ - 28）收集，该问卷从四个关键维度评估心理健康：躯体症状、焦虑和失眠、社会功能障碍以及重度抑郁。描述性统计、卡方检验和P值用于分析人口统计学、行为和心理健康数据。
就业方面存在显著的性别差异（χ = 18.81，p = 0.00086）。GHQ - 28调查结果表明，64.3%的大学生存在心理困扰，其中女生患病率（67.3%）高于男生（60.8%）（χ = 4.42，p = 0.035）。31.7%的学生报告有睡眠障碍，27.9%感到不堪重负，33.2%感到绝望。18.8%有过自我伤害的想法，3.1%考虑过结束自己的生命。以24分为临界值，GHQ - 28得分表明心理健康问题的患病率很高。
该研究凸显了针对黎巴嫩大学生开展有针对性的心理健康干预措施的迫切需求，以应对普遍存在的和特定地区的挑战。研究结果强调了早期干预、增加心理健康资源的可及性以及推动系统性变革以改善学生整体幸福感的重要性。
