Determinants of the Mental Health Status of University Students in Bangladesh and Their Coping Strategies: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Background and Aims Bangladeshi students participated in the “July Revolution” that ended on August 5, 2024, after a month‐long period. Such protests may negatively impact the mental health of individuals, making effective coping strategies essential in these situations. This study aimed to assess the mental health status and coping strategies of university students after the July Revolution of 2024, and to determine the significant predictors of their mental health status. Methods In this cross‐sectional study, data were collected through a web‐based self‐administered questionnaire from 380 university students enrolled in universities across Bangladesh who voluntarily participated. Psychological distress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12) And coping strategies were measured using the Brief‐COPE scale. Bivariable and binary logistic regression models were employed to identify the factors influencing the mental health of university students following the July Revolution. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 26. Results The results showed that 86.3% of students experienced poor mental health. The results from the binary logistic regression model demonstrated that the psychological distress among the university students in Bangladesh after the July Revolution was associated with several factors, including the sex of respondents (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.25–5.81; p = 0.001), students whose close ones suffered an injury or died (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.06–4.64; p = 0.035), those who adopted self‐blame (OR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.24–2.03 p < 0.001) and denial coping (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.09–1.76; p = 0.007) strategies, and those who did not adopt active (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.49–0.86; p = 0.003), and religious coping (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.55–0.89; p = 0.004) strategies. Conclusion Given the significant psychological impact of the July Revolution on university students in Bangladesh, it is imperative for university administrations to implement targeted mental health interventions. This study recommends providing accessible mental health services by qualified professionals to support students coping with any social movement or other emergencies.