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Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis Attending SDG 3 and 4 of the 2030 Agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Nahia Idoiaga

    (Department of Evolutionary and Educational Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Idoia Legorburu

    (Department Didactics and School Organisation, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Naiara Ozamiz-Etxebarria

    (Department of Evolutionary and Educational Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Darren M. Lipnicki

    (Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Beatriz Villagrasa

    (Psychogeriatry, CASM Benito Menni, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain)

  • Javier Santabárbara

    (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Ministry of Science and Innovation, 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Department of Microbiology, Pediatrics, Radiology and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    Aragonese Institute of Health Sciences (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

Background: Most universities around the world have been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Many students were isolated at home and underwent a forced transition from face-to-face learning to e-learning, at least in the first few months. The subsequent months and years were typically characterised by a slow return to normal learning under COVID-19 protocols and restrictions. A potential consequence of the lockdowns, social restrictions and changes to learning is the development of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in university students, affecting their health and well-being (SDG3) and quality of education (SDG4). Materials and Methods: Medline was searched through PubMed for studies on the prevalence of PTSD in university students from 1 December 2019 to 31 December 2021. The pooled prevalence of PTSD was calculated with random-effects models. Results: A total of six studies were included, across which the prevalence of PTSD among university students was 23%. Meta-regression showed that the prevalence of PTSD was significantly higher with older age, but independent of the percentage of women in a study or its methodological quality. Conclusions: Our results suggest that students suffer from PTSD at a moderate rate. Measures are needed to address the mental health issues of university students that have arisen during COVID-19 all around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Nahia Idoiaga & Idoia Legorburu & Naiara Ozamiz-Etxebarria & Darren M. Lipnicki & Beatriz Villagrasa & Javier Santabárbara, 2022. "Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis Attending SDG 3 and 4 of the 2030 Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7914-:d:851235
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    References listed on IDEAS

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