The association between digital peer support and mental health outcomes in university students: a cross-sectional...

The growing prevalence of mental health issues among university students underscores the need to explore factors associated with their wellbeing. This study investigates the influence of socio-demographic factors and perceived digital peer support on self-rated general physical health and mental health outcomes of undergraduate students. The research aims to examine how these factors are associated with student health and explore the potential role of perceived digital peer support in mental health.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 230 university students. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale was used to assess anxiety symptoms, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used for depressive symptoms. Data on perceived digital peer support, self-rated general physical health, and socio-demographic characteristics were also collected. Chi-square tests with effect sizes (Cramer's V) and multivariate binary logistic regression were used to adjust for confounders.

High rates of mental health symptoms were observed, with 43.5% of participants reporting moderate-to-severe anxiety and 53.5% moderate-to-severe depression. Perceived digital peer support was significantly associated with a lower rate of both anxiety (χ² = 4.760, p = 0.029) and depression (χ² = 4.708, p = 0.026) in bivariate analyses. Multivariate models confirmed digital peer support was an independent protective factor against anxiety (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.31, 0.97) and depression (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.29, 0.93). Lower personal income is consistently associated with higher odds of both anxiety (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.05, 4.21) and depression (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.12, 4.52).

Perceived digital peer support is significantly associated with lower odds of moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression among university students, particularly for those with lower incomes. These findings suggest an association that warrants further exploration for campus mental health initiatives, especially for economically disadvantaged students.