A study on emotional distress amongst university students

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: 1. To detect emotional distress among jniversity students. 2. To evaluate the role of different :actors influencing the above. METHODS: A previously validated screening test (general iea!th questionnaire - GHQ 30) adapted in Sinhalese was administered to random samples of undergraduates in 5 jniversities (Sri Jayawardenapura, Colombo, Peradeniya, vloratuwa, and Open University). There were 261 students [171 males), in the 19-33 year age group. Age- and sex-matched controls were used from the community. 3hi-square test was used to detect statistical significance. 3HQ score of 6 or greater indicated psychological and smotional distress. RESULTS: In the study sample (261), 104 (39.8%) had GHQ score 3 6 whereas in the control group (261) only 67 [25.7%) had GHQ score 3 6 (p=0.0006). 17/26 (65.4%) students who entered the university from remote areas lad GHQ score 3 6 compared with 36/99 (36.4%) from suburban areas and 51 /136 (37.5%) from urban areas who had GHQ score 36 (p=0.019). 36/125 (28.8%) students who travel from home had GHQ score 3 6 whereas 31/68 (45.6%) from university hostels and 37/68 [54.4%) from out side boarding places had GHQ score 3 3(p=0.0012). CONCLUSIONS: University students had significant emotional distress compared to the general population. Students who entered from remote areas were more distressed than those who entered from suburban and urban areas. Students who travei from home had less emotional distress compared to students who travel from university hostels and outside boarding places.