Table 1

Measures used in this study and their internal reliability

No of items
Description and Response Scales
Cronbach's alpha





Germany
Poland
Bulgaria

20
Depressive Symptoms: Modified Beck Depression Index (6 point Likert scale: never – nearly always)
0.90
0.92
0.87
14
Perceived Stress: Cohen's perceived stress scale (5 point Likert scale: never – very often)
0.85
0.81
0.80
5
Perceived Burdens+ – subscale: "Isolation" (Problems with fellow students; Isolation at the university; Isolation in general; Anonymity at university; Problems with friends)
0.77
0.75
0.81
2
Perceived Burdens+ – subscale "Relationships" (Relationship with significant other; Sexuality)
0.84
0.79
0.78
4
Perceived Burdens+ – subscale "Course work" (Studies in general; Exams; Assignments; Presentations)
0.79
0.83
0.77
2
Perceived Burdens+ – subscale "Future" (Bad job prospects; Lack of practical relevance of studies)
0.46
0.74
0.63

+To what extent do you feel burdened in the following areas: (6 point Likert scale: Not at all – Very much)

Mikolajczyk et al. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2008 4:19   doi:10.1186/1745-0179-4-19