Mental health problems in an academic setting among undergraduates

Purpose The purpose of this study is to illustrate that post-pandemic mental health is of growing concern in academic settings, especially among STEM undergraduate majors and women. Design/methodology/approach During 2023, online and paper-pencil surveys were distributed at a southeastern university after Institutional Review Board approval. Measures were Patient Depression Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Test and Sleep Disorder Symptom Checklist. Findings Participants (n = 929) were mostly female (68%), STEM undergraduate majors (58%), between 19 and 29 years (98.2%) and white (84.1%). A Fisher’s exact test revealed significant differences when examining gender by STEM (STEM and Non-STEM) (Females: 60.4%; Males 52.0%, p < 0.05). Based on the measures outlined previously, 19.98% had moderately severe to severe depression, 26.50% scored in the moderate to severe anxiety categories, 3.50% scored has having severe or extremely severe OCD, and 51.38% of participants scored has having sleep problems. Research limitations/implications Odds ratios revealed STEM majors had a 1.5 greater risk of moderate to severe ANX (95%CI[1.12, 2.08], p < 0.01) compared to non-STEM. Females had a 3.81× greater risk of moderate to severe ANX (95% CI[2.57,5.66], p < 0.0001) and a 1.93× greater risk of moderately severe to severe DEP (95%CI[1.31, 2.83], p < 0.001) than males. Originality/value Mental health professionals who work with undergraduate students, particularly STEM majors and females, should be aware that this population may experience greater risks.