Cross-sectional study on university students' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the influence of adverse and positive childhood experiences.

Aim: This study examined the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students, focusing on how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) influence mental health.

Methods: A web-based survey was administered to 3000 university students from October 26 to 31, 2022, following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health assessments included the Japanese version of the Kessler Psychological Distress 6-Item Scale (K6) for depressive/anxiety symptoms, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R-J) for distress, fear of COVID-19, and a three-item loneliness scale.