Psychological distress and negative life events among university students: mapping patterns of exposure and impact

Early adulthood and commencing university coincide with new life circumstances for many students which increases exposure to negative life events (NLE). Such events can have lasting impacts on student mental health. An exploratory study was conducted in a student sample to examine the frequency of NLE, event co-occurrence, and associated mental health outcomes.

Six-hundred-and-fifty university students completed the Negative Life Events Scale for Students and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale. Normative data was examined for NLE's experienced by women and men across the lifespan, and in the last 12-months to provide an overview of students' experience. An exploratory factor analysis on the experience of NLE in the last 12-months examined co-occurrence of events and associated vulnerability.

Ninety-eight percent of students experienced at least one NLE, and 50% were experienced in the last 12-months. Events relating to academic problems and domestic violence were associated with poorer mental health, were common, and occurred relatively recently. Six factors were identified demonstrating some NLE co-occur.

These findings confirm the high prevalence of NLE among university students, with psychological/addiction issues and academic pressures had the strongest associations with poorer mental health. Findings may inform targeted student mental health support programs.