Mental Health and Coping Strategies in University Students

The transition into higher education often coincides with significant academic, social and personal challenges that can undermine psychological well-being. University students face novel stressors including heightened workloads, financial pressures, changes in living arrangements and the navigation of new social networks. Mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression and burnout are increasingly prevalent, with estimates indicating that up to half of students experience moderate to severe symptoms during their studies. Emerging evidence emphasises the dual role of risk factors—such as sedentary lifestyles and poor nutritional habits—and protective factors, including effective coping strategies and institutional support. Coping strategies range from problem-focused approaches, such as time management and goal setting, to emotion-focused tactics like mindfulness and social engagement, all aimed at preserving or restoring mental equilibrium. Resilience, defined as the ability to adapt positively to adversity, appears to buffer the impact of stress, while perceptions of social support and self-efficacy foster better outcomes. Current research highlights the importance of multi-level interventions that integrate psychoeducational programmes, peer mentoring and policy initiatives to foster a supportive campus climate and equip students with practical tools to manage chronic and acute stressors.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Mental Health and Coping Strategies in University Students publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in mental health and coping strategies in university students across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Stressor: Any internal or external demand that challenges an individual’s psychological or physical equilibrium.

Coping strategy: Deliberate cognitive or behavioural efforts to manage stressors and mitigate their emotional impact.

Resilience: The capacity to adapt to and recover from adversity, maintaining or regaining mental well-being.

Well-being: A holistic state of positive health encompassing emotional, psychological and social dimensions.

Obesogenic behaviour: Lifestyle patterns, such as poor diet and physical inactivity, that promote weight gain and are linked to health risks.

Social support: Perceived availability of assistance, understanding and empathy from one’s social network.

References

1. Co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors and their implications for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study with university students. BMC Public Health (2024).
2. Impact of COVID-19 on University Students: An Analysis of Its Influence on Psychological and Academic Factors †. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022).
3. Stress and Psychological Distress in Emerging Adulthood: A Gender Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2020).