Mental Health Status and Its Sociodemographic Correlates among University Students in Odisha, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Basanta Kumar Bindhani and Gayatri Prusty

Published: 2026/03/01

Abstract

Psychological distress among university students is becoming an increasingly significant concern. Studying mental health in this demographic is crucial, as it affects academic performance, physical health, and overall well-being. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the mental health of university students and the factors that influence it. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,112 university students from seven universities in Odisha, India, selected through simple random sampling. Psychological distress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), originally developed by David Goldberg in 1972. Detailed sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, education, lifestyle, spirituality, and parental status were collected. Correlation analysis was performed between mean GHQ-12 scores and various sociodemographic factors to evaluate associations. The study found a mean GHQ-12 score of 3.61 out of 12, indicating a relatively high level of psychological distress among university students, with 57.6% experiencing severe distress. Females obtained significantly higher psychological distress scores (3.84) than males (3.25). Students from families with marital discord and those raised by a single parent reported significantly higher distress compared to their counterparts. Students with religious beliefs and those who regularly engaged in spiritual practices showed significantly better mental health outcomes. The findings highlight that a considerable proportion of university students are experiencing psychological distress, underscoring the urgent need for counselling facilities and mental health support services within educational institutions in India.

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