Loneliness and distress in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study of German university students

Background: Characterized by uncertainty and recurring periods of social isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increases of loneliness and distress in young adults, such as university students. Despite the lifting of the last restrictions in Germany in April 2023, the state of mental health in vulnerable groups after the three-year global crisis remains to be investigated. Therefore, we aimed to assess university students’ mental health after the pandemic. Method: Between April and July 2023, N = 886 university students throughout Germany participated in a fully anonymous cross-sectional online survey. Psychological distress (BSI; Brief Symptom Inventory), loneliness (LS-SOEP; Loneliness Scale), and emotion regulation strategies (ERQ; Emotion Regulation Questionnaire) were assessed by standardized questionnaires, and mental health was compared to a survey of students in April 2020 (N = 1,062). Results: Unexpectedly, we found higher levels of distress in 2023 than in 2020. Overall, R2adj = 41% of variance in psychological distress was accounted for in a multiple linear regression, with loneliness emerging as the most important predictor. Additionally, emotion regulation, gender identity, and health behaviors such as keeping daily routines, sufficient sleep, and regular exercise were significant predictors. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed that students with past or present mental health conditions were significantly lonelier than those without. Conclusion: These findings highlight the ongoing mental health challenges of university students in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying non-binary and female students, as well as students with current or past mental health conditions as particularly lonely and distressed.