Table 3 Study progress and loneliness by care responsibilities of others

Study progress

Delayed study progression, % (n)

17.3%

(6565)

21.4%

(476)

 < .001

1.20

(1.02–1.41)

Number of failed exams, mean (SD)

0.66

(1.36)

0.79

(1.42)

 < .001

n/a

Never, % (n)

68.8%

[26, 132]

62.5%

(1393)

.001

1.00

-

Once, % (n)

15.9%

(6023)

18.6%

(414)

.001

1.27

(1.13–1.42)

Twice, % (n)

7.1%

(2701)

8.8%

(197)

.002

1.35

(1.16–1.58)

Three times or more

8.2%

(3121)

10.1%

(224)

.002

1.31

(1.13–1.52)

Times changed your study program, mean (SD)

0.33

(0.58)

0.39

(0.63)

 < .001

n/a

Never, % (n)

72.6%

[27, 040]

68.4%

(1485)

 < .001

1.00

-

Once, % (n)

21.8%

(8124)

23.7%

(515)

.037

1.18

(0.99–1.42)

Two or more, % (n)

5.6%

(2081)

7.9%

(171)

 < .001

1.27

(1.07–1.51)

Hours spent on studies per week, mean (SD)

24.0

(15.4)

23.9

(16.8)

Ns

n/a

Loneliness items

T-ILS 1: Lack companionship*, % (n)

22.8%

(8638)

28.4%

(628)

 < .001

1.18

(1.07–1.30)

T-ILS 2: Left out*, % (n)

16.2%

(6110)

23.5%

(520)

 < .001

1.32

(1.19–1.46)

T-ILS 3: Isolated*, % (n)

15.6%

(5855)

23.4%

(515)

 < .001

1.37

(1.23–1.52)

T-ILS: All three items *, % (n)

5.3%

(1901)

8.0%

(309)

 < .001

1.26

(1.11–1.44)

T-ILS: Total loneliness score, mean (SD)

7.4

(3.0)

8.2

(3.2)

 < .001

n/a

Number of close friends, mean (SD)

3.6

(0.9)

35

(0.9)

 < .001

n/a