Prevalence of mental disorders among university students: differences by socioeconomic status, sex, screen time, and resilience

Background: Mental health conditions (MCHs) among university students are associated with lower academic achievement, reduced psychological well-being, and impaired psychosocial functioning. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among university students, and to examine differences by sex, socioeconomic status, body composition, screen time, and resilience.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included data from 626 university students (70% female; mean age 20.7 ± 3.1 years), from Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were assessed using DASS-21, BDI-II, GAD-7, and PSS-10 questionnaires. Resilience was assessed using the CD-Risk. Heigh, weigh, waist-to-height ratio, socioeconomic status and screen time were assessed.