ISRCTN ISRCTN26042135
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
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

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

Dr Peter Phiri
Principal Investigator

Tom Rudd Unit
Moorgreen Hospital
West End
Southampton
SO30 3HG
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)2380 475112
Email Peter.Phiri@southernhealth.nhs.uk
Ms Ayaat Al-Sudani
Public

Tom Rudd Unit
Moorgreen Hospital
West End
Southampton
SO30 3HG
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)23 8047 5826
Email research@southernhealth.nhs.uk

Study information

Study designLongitudinal quantitative online self-report survey
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designLongitudinal study
Study setting(s)University/medical school/dental school
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet 43252_PIS_v1.4_07Feb2023.pdf
Scientific titleMental health wellbeing at university: student survey exploring mental health wellbeing and access to support in UK universities
Study objectivesThis 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) studiedMental health and wellbeing in university students in the UK
InterventionThis 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 typeOther
Primary outcome measureMental health problems measured using self-reporting at baseline
Secondary outcome measuresThe 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 date17/09/2019
Completion date31/12/2026

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Other
Age groupOther
SexBoth
Target number of participants5000
Key inclusion criteriaAll 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 criteriaParticipants who do not consent to the study
Date of first enrolment12/03/2020
Date of final enrolment31/12/2025

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • Northern Ireland
  • Scotland
  • United Kingdom
  • Wales

Study participating centre

Moorgreen Hospital
Botley Road
West End
Southampton
SO30 3JB
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital/treatment centre

Tatchbury Mount
Loperwood Ln
Southampton
SO40 2RZ
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)23 8087 4300
Email research.governance@southernhealth.nhs.uk
Website https://www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03qesm017

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2026
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request, Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planThe 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 planThe 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).