Effects of COVID-19 Restrictions on University Students Mental Health

Restrictions affecting mental health and wellbeing can significantly affect vulnerable populations that include university students. Therefore, we undertook a scoping review by searching LitCovid, the WHO Covid-19 database, Google Scholar and bibliographies of retrieved articles for systematic reviews that included data on depression and anxiety in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found nine systematic reviews (two were preprints) that varied from five included studies to 89. The quality of the short-term evidence was rated low to moderate, and evidence for the medium to long term impact was low (the prevalence estimates may change substantially if further high-quality evidence becomes available).<br>Reviews consistently reported high prevalence rates of anxiety and depression amongst university and college students. Rates of depression and anxiety were higher in those with financial difficulties, in non-Chinese students, in older students and females. In the most extensive review to date the pooled prevalence of depression was 34% (95%CI: 30-38%, 52 studies, n=1,277,755, I2 100%). The prevalence of anxiety was 32% (95% CI: 26-38%, 69 studies I2 100%). Also, anxiety was found at higher rates in older students, in those living alone, and in female students. Only one review concluded the evidence does not suggest a widespread negative effect on mental health in COVID-19 compared with previous years.<br>The overall impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of university students is substantial.<br><b>Appendices</b><b><br></b>Full Report - Effects of COVID-19 Restrictions on University Students Mental Health<br><b>Figures</b><br>Figure 1. PRISMA Flow Chart<br>Figure 2. Included Reviews<br>Figure 3. Deng 2021 Results<br><b>Tables</b><br>Table 1. Review Populations and Impacts