Qualitative Study of Student Financial Insecurity and Psychiatry (QUALIPEPSY)

August 3, 2026 updated by: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

A Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Financial Insecurity on the Development of Psychiatric Disorders and the Use of Healthcare Services Among Students

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 the study is to explore the lived experiences of the students concerned in order to identify what they perceive as the various aspects of student precarity (housing, transport, isolation, financial difficulties, etc.) and the links they perceive between these and their psychological distress. This study will deepen our understanding of these factors by exploring students' lived experiences, and will bring to light elements not identified by quantitative studies.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in depression, particularly among young people. The French health barometer, conducted every 4-5 years by Santé Publique France (SPF), found that the prevalence of major depressive episodes (MDE) among 18-25 year olds doubled (from 11.7% to 20.8%) between 2017 and 2021. There has also been an increase in suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. Among students, data from the 2016 Student Life Observatory (OVE) found a higher prevalence of CDE and suicidal thoughts among students than in the general population of the same age. Among the factors associated with the risk of EDC, experiencing significant financial difficulties was the main one[4]. Among medical students, a national study conducted in 2021 found that the prevalence of depression and suicidal thoughts was much higher than in the general population of the same age. Financial difficulties were also the main factor associated with the risk of depression. Indeed, students are a population that is particularly vulnerable to precariousness due to several factors. Economically, they often have limited incomes, depending on parental support, insufficient grants or precarious jobs. This exposes them to difficulties in meeting their basic needs such as housing, food and healthcare. Socially, isolation can exacerbate their situation, especially when they are far from their family network or under pressure from their studies. In addition, high academic demands, combined with unstable living conditions, impact their mental health and can contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders, which often go untreated due to a lack of affordable and accessible resources. International students are even more vulnerable due to language and administrative barriers and limited access to local support services. This multidimensional precariousness highlights the need for comprehensive support for this population, even though students are unlikely to seek professional help. In the 2021 survey, only 32% of medical students suffering from depression received adequate care. If we want to improve the health of medical students, we must not only treat disorders, but also prevent them from occurring by helping students strive for a state of well-being. In terms of prevention, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) distinguishes between three levels: primary prevention, which acts upstream of the disease (on risk factors); secondary prevention, which acts at an early stage of its development (screening); and tertiary prevention, which acts on complications and the risk of recurrence.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

30

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • France
    • IDF
      • Paris, IDF, France, 75014
        • Adult Psychiatry Department - Hôtel-Dieu Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Student enrolled at Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) University or the Faculty of Health Sciences at Université Paris Cité (UPC)

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • A student enrolled at Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) University or the Faculty of Health Sciences at Université Paris Cité (UPC),
  • Aged 18 or over,
  • Fluent in French,
  • be a student,
  • have used the PPOP scheme,
  • not object to participating after receiving clear information.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Participants under the age of 18,
  • not enrolled at PSL universities or the UPCS Faculty of Health Sciences,
  • insufficient proficiency in French to conduct an interview,
  • refusal to participate,
  • clinical vulnerability deemed incompatible by the referring consultant.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Patients
Students
Other: Semi-structured interviews
Semi-structured interviews

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Semi-structured interview
Time Frame: Day of inclusion
This is an exploratory, inductive qualitative study. The aim is not to measure but to explore and understand these students' lived experiences, without any preconceived assumptions
Day of inclusion

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Semi-structured interview
Time Frame: Day of inclusion
This is an exploratory, inductive qualitative study. The aim is not to measure but to explore and understand these students' lived experiences, without any preconceived assumptions
Day of inclusion

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

Collaborators

Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
URC-CIC Paris Descartes Necker Cochin
Fondation hospitalière pour la recherche sur la précarité et l'exclusion sociale

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Ariel FRAJERMAN, MD, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
  • Study Director: Jordan SIBEONI, MD, PhD, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

January 1, 2027

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 17, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 3, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • APHP260752 - QUALIPEPSY
  • 2026-A01287-44 (Other Identifier: France : Ministry of Health)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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