Depressive DisorderQUALIPEPSYNCT07719816
Qualitative Study of Student Financial Insecurity and Psychiatry
An observational study of Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Suicidal Ideation
- What is being tested?
- Semi-structured interviews
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2027to Jun 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Student enrolled at Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) University or the Faculty of Health Sciences at Université Paris Cité (UPC)
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
France1 site
Adult Psychiatry Department - Hôtel-Dieu Hospital
Paris, IDF, 75014
Cédric LEMOGNE, MD, PhD, 0033 1 42 34 85 76, cedric.lemogne@aphp.fr
About this study
Official title: 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.
Read the 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.
- Being tested
- Semi-structured interviews
- Keywords
- Students, Depression, Use of care, Qualitative study, Precarity
- Medical subject headings
- Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Suicidal Ideation, Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Semi-structured interviewsOther
Semi-structured interviews
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Patients | Students Receives: Other: Semi-structured interviews |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Semi-structured interview
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
Measured: Day of inclusion
Secondary outcomes (1)
Semi-structured interview
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
Measured: Day of inclusion
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Primary completionJun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Depressive DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de ParisThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- URC-CIC Paris Descartes Necker Cochin, Fondation hospitalière pour la recherche sur la précarité et l'exclusion sociale, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Ariel FRAJERMAN, MD, Study chair, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, FranceJordan SIBEONI, MD, PhD, Study director, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07719816
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- APHP260752 - QUALIPEPSY
- Other IDs
- 2026-A01287-44
- Acronym
- QUALIPEPSY
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Financial Insecurity on the Development of Psychiatric Disorders and the Use of Healthcare Services Among Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07719816
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- QUALIPEPSY / APHP260752 - QUALIPEPSY
- Keywords
- Students, Depression, Use of care, Qualitative study, Precarity
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de ParisUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- URC-CIC Paris Descartes Necker Cochin, Fondation hospitalière pour la recherche sur la précarité et l'exclusion sociale, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
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 design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Patients | – | Other: Semi-structured interviewsStudents |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Student enrolled at Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) University or the Faculty of Health Sciences at Université Paris Cité (UPC)
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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,
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-structured interviewsSemi-structured interviews | Other | Patients |
Primary outcome
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
1 secondary outcome
Semi-structured interview
Time frame: Day of inclusion
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ariel FRAJERMAN, MD study chair
Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
Jordan SIBEONI, MD, PhD study director
Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, run by Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Cédric LEMOGNE, MC, PhD (0033 1 42 34 85 76, cedric.lemogne@aphp.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Semi-structured interview (time frame: Day of inclusion). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Aug 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.