Student Precarity and Psychiatry

NCT07618208 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: APHP251300N°IDRCB : 2025-A01968-41
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 45,000
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health disorders have increased significantly, particularly among young people. In France, the proportion of young people aged 18 to 25 suffering from depression almost doubled between 2017 and 2021. This phenomenon particularly affects students, who are already identified as being at greater risk of mental health disorders than the general population. Medical students seem to be particularly vulnerable: in 2021, a national study showed very high rates of depression and suicidal thoughts in this population. The main factor associated with depression was the feeling of financial hardship. Students often face multiple forms of insecurity. Financially, they have limited resources and struggle to cover their basic needs such as housing, food and healthcare. Socially, many experience significant isolation, particularly when they are away from their families or under pressure from their studies. All of this has a significant impact on their mental health. Unfortunately, many students do not seek help due to lack of time, resources, or awareness of support services. The 2021 study showed that only one-third of medical students suffering from depression received appropriate treatment. The aim of our study is to assess the impact of precariousness on the onset of psychiatric disorders and on the use or non-use of healthcare services. Our study will involve nearly 45,000 students from PSL and UPC universities. It is based on a longitudinal cohort (via questionnaires) over three years. The aim is to identify precisely the different aspects of student precariousness (housing, transport, isolation, economic difficulties, etc.) and their link with psychological distress. The study will measure the extent of the phenomenon and identify modifiable factors that could be targeted by preventive measures. The results will enable us to better target preventive measures and propose concrete solutions to improve students' well-being and promote their success.

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Major; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Suicidal Ideation; Loneliness

Keywords

Students; Depression; Use of care; Precarity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short-Form (CIDI-SF)

  12-months prevalence Major Depressive Disorder and suicidal thoughts Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short-Form (CIDI-SF)

  Day 0

• Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short-Form (CIDI-SF)

  12-months prevalence Major Depressive Disorder and suicidal thoughts Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short-Form (CIDI-SF)

  12 months

• Use of care

  Use of care service of care professional

  Day 0

• Use of care

  Use of care service of care professional

  12 months

• Precarity

  Question "Would you say that you are currently experiencing financial difficulties?"

  Day 0

• Precarity

  Question "Would you say that you are currently experiencing financial difficulties?"

  12 months

Secondary Outcomes (37)

• GAD7

  Day 0

• GAD7

  12 months

• GAD7

  24 months

• SCOFF

  Day 0

• SCOFF

  12 months

Study Arms (2)

Health students

All students enrolled at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Paris Cité University

Other: Questionnaires

Non-health students

All students enrolled at Paris Sciences and Letters University

Other: Questionnaires

Interventions

Questionnaires OTHER

Questionnaires

Health students; Non-health students

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All students enrolled at Paris Sciences et Lettres University or the Faculty of Health Sciences at Paris Cité University.

You may qualify if:

• Student enrolled at Paris Sciences et Lettres University (PSL, 17,000 students) or the Faculty of Health Sciences at Paris Cité University (UPC, 28,000 students),
• Aged 18 or over,
• Fluent in French,
• Affiliated to a health insurance.

You may not qualify if:

• Applicants under the age of 18,
• Not enrolled at PSL universities or the UPCS Faculty of Health,
• Insufficient level of French.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris (INSERM): collaborator
• Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Major; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Suicidal Ideation; Depression

Interventions

Surveys and Questionnaires

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorders; Mental Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Suicide; Self-Injurious Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health

Central Study Contacts

Cédric LEMOGNE, PR

CONTACT

00331 42 34 85 76; cedric.lemogne@aphp.fr

Marie Benhammani-Godard

CONTACT

0033158411190; marie.godard@aphp.fr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 4, 2026
• First Posted: June 1, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2028
• Last Updated: June 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share