title: Psychological distress in French college students: demographic, economic and social stressors. Results from the 2010 National Health Barometer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psychological distress (PD) in students is under-investigated, since its prevalence can be high in certain subgroups of students and it has been seen to be associated with other mental health issues and academic achievement. In a sample of French college students, this study investigated factors associated with PD, and looked more closely at the impact of social and interpersonal variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were extracted from the 2010 French "National Health Barometer". 946 students were interviewed. Mental health was assessed using the MH-5 five-item scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PD rate in this sample was 13.8% (7.2% in males, 19.5% in females). Low income, nonsexual assault in the last 12 months, studying law and low social participation were associated with PD in multivariate analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  French students show specific characteristics that are discussed in order to explain the relatively low rate of PD observed. The impact of loneliness and social isolation are a major focus for preventive policies based on community resources and early detection of the symptoms of PD.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de Prévention et d'Education pour la Santé, 42 Bd de la Libération, Saint-Denis, Cedex 93203, France. th.saias@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saïas
authors.forename: Enguerrand
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: du Roscoät
authors.forename: Laurentine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Véron
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guignard
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Legleye
authors.forename: Fanny
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sauvade
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kovess
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult