Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40537564›Full record

ArticleDiscover mental health2025

Exploring mental health of Italian college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Luca Gambolò, Roberta Pireddu, Marta D'Angelo, Elena Maria Ticozzi, Lorenzo Bellini, Daniele Solla, Nazzareno Fagoni, Giuseppe Stirparo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Discover mental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. The Impact of Spiritual Well-Being on Multidimensional Perfectionism in University Students: A Nationwide Survey.European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Luca GambolòSIMED (Società Italiana di Medicina e Divulgazione Scientifica), Parma, Italy.
Roberta PiredduUniversità Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Marta D'AngeloSIMED (Società Italiana di Medicina e Divulgazione Scientifica), Parma, Italy.
Elena Maria TicozziSIMED (Società Italiana di Medicina e Divulgazione Scientifica), Parma, Italy.
Lorenzo BelliniSIMED (Società Italiana di Medicina e Divulgazione Scientifica), Parma, Italy.
Daniele SollaSIMED (Società Italiana di Medicina e Divulgazione Scientifica), Parma, Italy.
Nazzareno FagoniDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Università Degli Studi di Brescia, Viale Europa 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy. nazzareno.fagoni@unibs.it.
Giuseppe StirparoSIMED (Società Italiana di Medicina e Divulgazione Scientifica), Parma, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe transition from adolescence to adulthood is characterized by changes and challenges for students, that can affect their mental well-being. Furthermore, mental disorders often emerge before the age of 24, underscoring the significance of addressing mental health during the college years. The study's objective is to conduct a systematic review of the mental health of Italian university students, exploring the prevalence of psychopathological dimensions, identifying risk and protective factors, and investigating the impact on academic performance.

methodsThe initial search yielded 842 papers. After the screening process, a total of 27 studies were included (22,928 participants).

resultsThe prevalence of mental distress is notable: stress affects 72.6%, anxiety 61.8%, depression 41.6%, sleep disorders 63.9%, and suicide risk 6.1%. DISCUSSION: Biological factors like chronic illness and family history increase the risk of psychological disorders. Psychological factors, including sexual orientation, play a role. Dysfunctional personality traits, adverse events, financial concerns, and the pandemic amplify distress. Resilience, coping strategies, peer support, inclusive environments, physical activity, and balanced lifestyles act as protective factors. Mental distress impacts academic performance and often is exacerbated by the pressure to excel. Interventions encompass targeted support, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and the promotion of inclusive and supportive environments.

Identifiers

PMID40537564
PMCPMC12179042

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.