Lifestyle Patterns and Mental Health Problems in Swiss University Students: A Latent Profile Analysis

Objectives: This study examined whether first-year university students with distinct lifestyle profiles experienced varying mental health problems. Design: The study used a cross-sectional design with self-selection sampling. Methods: Sociodemographic, lifestyle behavior, and mental health data from 352 students (age = 20.8 ± 2.56, women = 66.5%) at the University of Basel were analyzed. Logistic regression was conducted to examine associations between lifestyle behaviors and mental disorders. Latent profile analysis was performed to identify classes. Between-class differences were assessed using chi-square and multinomial logistic regression analysis, adjusting for covariates. Results: A higher lifestyle score was associated with reduced prevalences, including depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), substance use, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. An inverse relationship was observed for bipolar disorder. Improved sleep, physical activity, social connections, and lower use of substance use, stress-coping, and screen time were linked to fewer mental health problems. Latent profile analysis identified three lifestyle classes: one healthier and two less healthy (high substance use and isolated). University students in the healthiest class exhibited fewer mental disorders. Employment status and BMI category influenced class membership, whereas age and sex did not. Within two classes, female university students were more likely to screen positive for depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, OCD, and suicidal ideation, whereas male university students exhibited higher substance use. Conclusion: The findings suggest that healthier lifestyle behavior is associated with a reduced prevalence of multiple mental disorders. Including lifestyle medicine in research and implementing it in prevention and treatment is essential, particularly among university students.