UNITA Students’ Health StudyA Multidimensional Assessment of University Student Health
Study Overview
The UNITA Students’ Health Study is a cross-national, cross-sectional survey designed to establish a multinational database on university students’ health status and movement behaviours across European universities. The study originated from a research collaboration funded through a UNITA Alliance Starting Grant, an initiative aimed at fostering transnational and interdisciplinary research among partner universities. The project responds to the current lack of recent comparative epidemiological data in the post-pandemic context. Data were collected through an online survey across participating institutions, yielding 2,888 valid responses.
Key Findings
· Substantial mental health burden: more than one third of participants showed at least moderate states of anxiety, depression or stress, indicating a non-negligible burden of psychological distress within the student population.
· Unfavourable movement behaviours: high prevalence of poor sleep quality, elevated sedentary time, and excessive leisure screen time was reported. Three in four students did not meet all 24-hour movement recommendations, even though most students reported adequate levels of physical activity.
· Substance use pattern: overall, the prevalence of substance use was low, but hazardous alcohol consumption was considerably more prevalent than tobacco and cannabis risky use.
· Female vulnerability: female students appeared to be a particularly vulnerable group, combining less favourable movement behaviours with a twofold higher prevalence of mental health difficulties compared to male students.
· Cross-country variation: differences were observed in mental health and wellbeing measures, as well as in movement behaviour and substance use patterns across participating countries.
Psychological functioning, movement behaviours, and substance use represent interconnected areas of concern requiring coordinated, cross-national health promotion strategies within European university settings.
Report
Télécharger le fichier «UNITA report 0307.pdf» (2.2 Mo)
Fact Sheets
UNITA - Télécharger le fichier «UNITA factsheet TOTAL.pdf» (801.5 Ko)
Universitatea de Vest din Timișoara -Télécharger le fichier «UNITA factsheet UVT.pdf» (796.8 Ko)
Universidad Pública de Navarra - Télécharger le fichier «UNITA factsheet UPNA.pdf» (798.2 Ko)
Universidad de Zaragoza - Télécharger le fichier «UNITA factsheet UNIZAR.pdf» (795.3 Ko)
Università di Brescia - Télécharger le fichier «UNITA factsheet UNIBS.pdf» (792.9 Ko)
Authors
Jessica Dagani, University of Brescia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Italy.
Alyzée Lebas, University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, Laboratory Mouvement Equilibre Performance Santé, E2s UPPA, France.
Julien Bois, University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, Laboratory Mouvement Equilibre Performance Santé, E2s UPPA, France.
Léna Lhuisset, University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, Laboratory Mouvement Equilibre Performance Santé, E2s UPPA, France.
Contributors
Alberto Aibar Solana, University of Zaragoza, Research group EFYPAF, Spain.
Chiara Buizza, University of Brescia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Italy.
Silvia Nicoleta Mirica, West University of Timișoara, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Romania.
Adrian Alexandru Moșoi, Transilvania University of Brașov, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Romania.
Ana Isabel Plácido Fernandes Godinho, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Portugal.
Clara Sancho-Domingo, Public University of Navarre, Department of Health Sciences, Spain.
Corresponding Author
Léna Lhuisset. Email: lena.lhuisset@univ-pau.fr
Contact Information
University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour - Department STAPS. 11 Rue Morane-Saulnier, 65000 Tarbes.