Analysis of university students’ perception of mental health
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61989100%3A27510%2F25%3A10258816" target="_blank" >RIV/61989100:27510/25:10258816 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-025-25213-7" target="_blank" >https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-025-25213-7</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-25213-7" target="_blank" >10.1186/s12889-025-25213-7</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Analysis of university students’ perception of mental health
Original language description
The mental health of university students has become an increasingly important public health issue, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the high prevalence of mental illness, little is known about how students themselves perceive their mental health and which contextual and institutional factors influence these perceptions. This study examined mental health perceptions among university students in the Czech Republic, focusing on their views of the urban environment and preferred forms of support. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 767 students from four public universities. The 15-item questionnaire covered internal experiences, social background, and institutional conditions. Data were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) and Welch’s t-test to assess gender differences. Three components initially emerged: (1) subjective mental well-being, (2) contextual and interpersonal support, and (3) institutional determinants. However, due to low internal consistency(Cronbach’s α = 0.285), Component 2 was excluded. The final interpretation therefore focused on two dimensions: subjective self-perception of mental health and social/institutional determinants. Gender differences were statistically significant for the latter, with women scoring higher. Students most often reported workload, social media, and family relations as stressors, while they valued cultural and educational opportunities of cities. The most frequently preferred forms of support included strengthening psychological services at universities, preventive care, and easier access to professional help. The findings indicate that students’ mental health perceptions are shaped by individual, social, and institutional dimensions. Public health strategies should therefore extend beyond clinical treatment, strengthen preventive and community-based approaches, address gender differences, and enhance the role of universities as key sites of early intervention.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
50202 - Applied Economics, Econometrics
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
BMC Public Health
ISSN
1471-2458
e-ISSN
1471-2458
Volume of the periodical
25
Issue of the periodical within the volume
1
Country of publishing house
GB - UNITED KINGDOM
Number of pages
8
Pages from-to
3868
UT code for WoS article
001613984400020
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105021290131