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Mental health and loneliness in university students: A structural equation modelling comparing Italy and the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Ilaria Riboldi
  • Cristina Crocamo
  • Susanna Piacenti
  • Chiara Alessandra Capogrosso
  • Angela Calabrese
  • Susanna Lucini Paioni
  • Francesco Bartoli
  • Jo Armes
  • Cath Taylor
  • Giuseppe CarrÃ

Abstract

Background: The transition to university often leads to increased demands and changes in lifestyle habits, which may affect mental health. In particular, loneliness could play a key role in the onset of psychological distress. Although many patterns are consistent across countries, cultural differences may influence students’ mental health and feelings of loneliness. Aims: The aim of this study was thus to examine mental health domains and their relationship with loneliness among students from the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) and the University of Surrey (United Kingdom). Method: Data were from the CAMPUS study, a cross-national survey on students’ mental health. A structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was carried out to simultaneously test the pathways between loneliness and clinical domains in the two populations. Results: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were identified as the most common conditions in both the samples. However, Italian students were likely to show a higher degree of anxiety ( t  = 7.01, p  

Suggested Citation

  • Ilaria Riboldi & Cristina Crocamo & Susanna Piacenti & Chiara Alessandra Capogrosso & Angela Calabrese & Susanna Lucini Paioni & Francesco Bartoli & Jo Armes & Cath Taylor & Giuseppe CarrÃ, 2025. "Mental health and loneliness in university students: A structural equation modelling comparing Italy and the UK," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 71(8), pages 1574-1586, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:71:y:2025:i:8:p:1574-1586
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640251346273
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ika Febrian Kristiana & Nugraha Arif Karyanta & Ermida Simanjuntak & Unika Prihatsanti & Tri Muji Ingarianti & Muhammad Shohib, 2022. "Social Support and Acculturative Stress of International Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Ilaria Riboldi & Chiara Alessandra Capogrosso & Susanna Piacenti & Angela Calabrese & Susanna Lucini Paioni & Francesco Bartoli & Cristina Crocamo & Giuseppe Carrà & Jo Armes & Cath Taylor, 2023. "Mental Health and COVID-19 in University Students: Findings from a Qualitative, Comparative Study in Italy and the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, February.
    3. repec:plo:pone00:0225770 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Katharina Diehl & Charlotte Jansen & Kamila Ishchanova & Jennifer Hilger-Kolb, 2018. "Loneliness at Universities: Determinants of Emotional and Social Loneliness among Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, August.
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