Mental health wellbeing at university
ISRCTN | ISRCTN26042135 |
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DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN26042135 |
IRAS number | 274776 |
Secondary identifying numbers | IRAS 274776, CPMS 44624 |
- Submission date
- 20/02/2023
- Registration date
- 20/03/2023
- Last edited
- 05/04/2024
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
There has been a marked increase of 12-20% in the rates of students experiencing mental health conditions reported over the past few years. According to a 2012 report student mental health rates in that year equalled that of the general population. This study aims to explore the reasons behind undergraduate and postgraduate students’ difficulties with mental health across the years of their study to allow for a greater understanding of difficulties and protective factors to inform targeted approaches.
Who can participate?
Undergraduate and postgraduate students at participating Higher Education institutions
What does the study involve?
An online questionnaire survey will be distributed every year for 5 years. The survey will collect demographic information as well as access to student wellbeing services and usage of mental health resources, mental health information, the association of this with loneliness and perceived social support, and experience and satisfaction with university wellbeing services in supporting their mental health wellbeing.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The findings will inform current initiatives and identify key themes for prioritising in further developing robust approaches to support student mental health wellbeing.
Where is the study run from?
The University of Southampton and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2019 to December 2026
Who is funding the study?
Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Peter Phiri, Peter.Phiri@southernhealth.nhs.uk
Contact information
Principal Investigator
Tom Rudd Unit
Moorgreen Hospital
West End
Southampton
SO30 3HG
United Kingdom
Phone | +44 (0)2380 475112 |
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Peter.Phiri@southernhealth.nhs.uk |
Public
Tom Rudd Unit
Moorgreen Hospital
West End
Southampton
SO30 3HG
United Kingdom
Phone | +44 (0)23 8047 5826 |
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research@southernhealth.nhs.uk |
Study information
Study design | Longitudinal quantitative online self-report survey |
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Primary study design | Observational |
Secondary study design | Longitudinal study |
Study setting(s) | University/medical school/dental school |
Study type | Other |
Participant information sheet | 43252_PIS_v1.4_07Feb2023.pdf |
Scientific title | Mental health wellbeing at university: student survey exploring mental health wellbeing and access to support in UK universities |
Study objectives | This study aims to explore the reasons behind undergraduate and postgraduate student’s difficulties with mental health across the years of their study to allow for greater understanding of difficulties and protective factors to inform targeted approaches. |
Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 14/02/2020, Health and Care Research Wales/HRA) (Health Research Authority, 2 Redman Place, Stratford, London, E20 1JQ, United Kingdom; +44 (0)207 104 8000; hra.approval@nhs.net), ref: 20/HRA/0090 |
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Mental health and wellbeing in university students in the UK |
Intervention | This study is a longitudinal quantitative online self-report survey. Quantitative data will be collected via an online University of Southampton Qualtrics XM platform yearly for 5 years. The survey link will be distributed to students via their respective university student offices. Qualitative data will be collected from a small number of optional open-ended questions within the survey that invite the participant to recount a recent encounter accessing support for their mental health wellbeing at campus. |
Intervention type | Other |
Primary outcome measure | Mental health problems measured using self-reporting at baseline |
Secondary outcome measures | The following measures are assessed at baseline: 1. Loneliness measured using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale 2. Social support measured using the 12-item Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) 3. Mental wellbeing measured using the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) 4. Patient experience of support services measured using the Patient experience questionnaire (PEQ, IAPT) 5. Depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) 6. Anxiety measured using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) |
Overall study start date | 17/09/2019 |
Completion date | 31/12/2026 |
Eligibility
Participant type(s) | Other |
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Age group | Other |
Sex | Both |
Target number of participants | 5000 |
Key inclusion criteria | All students enrolled at University in undergraduate years 1-6 and postgraduate students, including all full-time, part-time and distance learning postgraduate taught students (including but not limited to MA, MSc, PGCE, PGCert, PGDip courses, or credits at PGT level) |
Key exclusion criteria | Participants who do not consent to the study |
Date of first enrolment | 12/03/2020 |
Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2025 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland
- United Kingdom
- Wales
Study participating centre
West End
Southampton
SO30 3JB
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Hospital/treatment centre
Tatchbury Mount
Loperwood Ln
Southampton
SO40 2RZ
England
United Kingdom
Phone | +44 (0)23 8087 4300 |
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research.governance@southernhealth.nhs.uk | |
Website | https://www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/ |
https://ror.org/03qesm017 |
Funders
Funder type
Hospital/treatment centre
No information available
Results and Publications
Intention to publish date | 31/12/2026 |
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Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request, Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
Publication and dissemination plan | The outcomes of the project will be written-up for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Papers for presentation will be targeted at the annual meetings and conferences. A summary of findings will be written up for participants distributed through the University communication platforms. |
IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr Peter Phiri (peter.phiri@southernhealth.nhs.uk) or Ayaat Al-Sudani (ayaat.al-sudani@southernhealth.nhs.uk). Contact the Governance office at research.governance@southernhealth.nhs.uk for data access. |
Study outputs
Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Protocol file | version 1.8 | 07/02/2023 | 22/02/2023 | No | No |
Participant information sheet | Student Mental Health Questionnaire version 1.4 |
07/02/2023 | 01/03/2023 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- 43252_Protocol_v1.8_07Feb2023.pdf
- 43252_PIS_v1.4_07Feb2023.pdf
- Student Mental Health Questionnaire
Editorial Notes
05/04/2024: Internal review.
03/04/2023: Internal review.
22/02/2023: Trial's existence confirmed by Health and Care Research Wales/HRA (UK).