Evaluation of Two versus Six Psychometric Test Batteries for Digital Screening of University Students: Findings from a Multicentric Study

Abstract Background: University students are at heightened risk for stress, depression, and anxiety. Screening using multidimensional psychometric batteries can identify students requiring intervention but may be time-consuming and burdensome. This study evaluated whether a brief two-test battery assessing stress and psychiatric symptoms provides referral outcomes comparable to a comprehensive six-test battery (Multidimensional Assessment for Student Stress [MASS]). Methodology: A multicentric, cross-sectional study recruited 600 undergraduate students from three Indian institutions. Participants completed the MASS battery digitally. Referral decisions for counseling or psychiatry were based on algorithmic scoring of stress and psychiatric symptom severity. Concordance between the two-test and six-test batteries was assessed, and diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and Cohen’s k. Results: Moderate stress was most prevalent (43.3%), with severe psychiatric symptoms present in 13.3% of students. Overall, 29.2% were referred to counseling and 20% to psychiatry. Referral patterns between the six-test and two-test batteries did not differ significantly (c² =0.38, P = 0.54). Sensitivity and specificity were 84% and 76% for stress-based referrals, and 81% and 72% for psychiatric symptom-based referrals, with substantial agreement between digital assessment and clinical evaluation (Cohen’s k 0.70 for stress; 0.68 for psychiatric symptoms). Conclusions: The two-test battery provides referral outcomes equivalent to the six-test MASS battery, effectively identifying students requiring counseling or psychiatric support. Brief, targeted screening offers a practical, scalable, and reliable alternative for university mental health programs, balancing efficiency with clinical accuracy.