Self-Reported Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms, Psychological Stress, and Differences by Qualification Level Among University Students in Bahrain: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder of brain–gut interaction closely linked to psychological stress and highly prevalent among university student populations, yet data from Bahrain remain scarce. This study estimated the frequency of self-reported IBS-like symptoms among university students in Bahrain and examined their associations with sex, age, qualification level, body mass index (BMI), psychological stress, and lifestyle behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 310 students at the University of Bahrain in October 2021. A self-administered 16-item instrument, based on the Rome III symptom domains and used as a symptom-screening rather than a diagnostic tool (face validity only; no formal psychometric validation was performed), assessed sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported IBS-like symptoms, stress and anxiety, and lifestyle behaviors. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA; effect sizes were quantified using Cramér’s V (chi-square) and partial eta-squared (η2, ANOVA); the significance threshold was α = 0.05 (two-tailed). Results: Self-reported IBS-like symptoms were common: 52.9% (95% CI 47.3–58.4) reported recurrent abdominal pain, 58.1% (95% CI 52.5–63.4) abdominal bloating, and 80.3% (95% CI 75.5–84.4) reported interference with academic activities. Most participants perceived their mental state (84.8%) and examinations (73.2%) to worsen symptoms, yet only 48.7% correctly identified IBS. Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested differences by qualification level, with diploma-level students reporting higher rates of abdominal pain (p < 0.001; Cramér’s V = 0.22), bloating (p < 0.05; Cramér’s V = 0.13), and perceived psychological impact on symptom severity (p < 0.001; Cramér’s V = 0.19) compared with bachelor- and master-level counterparts. The substantial female over-representation (79%) precluded formal sex-based inference; all findings should be interpreted in this context. Conclusions: Self-reported IBS-like symptoms were commonly endorsed, and participants frequently perceived psychological stress to worsen symptoms. Diploma-level students may represent a previously unrecognized potentially at-risk subgroup warranting further investigation and, if confirmed, targeted stress-focused health-promotion strategies, particularly through brief psychoeducation modules integrated within diploma-program curricula, and dedicated prospective research. Future studies should incorporate validated Rome IV diagnostic criteria, multivariable regression modeling, and biomarker assessment to elucidate underlying brain–gut mechanisms.