BACKGROUND: The interest of universities in promoting healthy habits and offering psychological assistance and treatment is the result of a desire to improve the quality of students' education and day-to-day lives. An analysis of students' needs and of the demand for psychological care is a prerequisite for implementing effective interventions. METHOD: A total of 706 second-year undergraduate students (MDage = 20.2; SD = 2.73) from all branches of knowledge of the University of Oviedo (Spain) were evaluated by means of standardized instruments. RESULTS: Results showed academic conditions to be the principal stressors and no distinctive behaviour profiles were found according to branch of studies; 44.7% showed levels of emotional distress indicative of anxiety and 13.5% of depression. The situations generating the greatest demand for psychological assistance were fear of speaking in public, requesting help regarding personal problems, distancing oneself from worries and emotions, and the promotion of healthy sleeping and eating habits. CONCLUSIONS: The prevention and treatment of psychological problems has consistently been shown to be a factor which enhances academic performance. The needs identified, shared by other university populations, underline the importance of providing specific psychological care in the university context.
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