Mental and physical well-being among students in Germany: results from the StudiBiFra study

Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to investigate the mental and physical health status among higher education students in Germany and to analyse potential health differences according to gender and strictness of COVID-19 protective measures. Subject and methods In the cross-sectional “StudiBiFra” study, students at 13 higher education institutions in Germany participated in an online survey on their mental and physical well-being. Data were assessed between June 2021 and March 2023 using the “Bielefeld Questionnaire on Study Conditions and Mental Health”. Besides descriptive analyses, χ 2 -tests were conducted to analyse differences in health variables according to gender or strictness of COVID-19 measures. Results Out of the sample of 24,533 students, about two-thirds were under 26 years old, another two-thirds were female, and 1.8% identified as gender-diverse. Approximately half of the sample participated under strict COVID-19 measures (spring 2021 to spring 2022). A high percentage of students reported physical complaints and mental health symptoms, especially exhaustion and tiredness. For most health variables, female students felt more affected than male students and students who identified as gender-diverse were more affected than the other two groups. Participants generally felt worse when surveyed under strict COVID-19 measures than under loosened conditions. Conclusion The mental and physical health status among higher education students in Germany was found to be rather poor. The observed symptoms can have a substantial impact on students’ daily lives. By addressing these issues, preferably in a gender-sensitive way, higher education institutions can improve the mental and physical well-being among their students.