State of Mental Health, Healthy Behaviors, and Wellness Support in Big 10 University Nursing and Health Sciences Faculty, Staff, and Students During COVID-19.

Abstract

Federal and national entities urge organizations to assess healthcare professionals' mental health and well-being as the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the issue. This study aimed to (1) describe rates of mental health issues, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and perceptions of COVID-19's impact among Big 10 University nursing and health sciences faculty, staff, and students; (2) identify predictors of depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout; and (3) assess the relationships among perceived school wellness support, healthy lifestyle behaviors, physical/mental health, and mattering. A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was used. Nursing and health science deans emailed invitations to faculty, staff, and students concerning an anonymous wellness assessment survey. Correlation coefficients tested associations among mental health indicators and wellness cultures. Multiple linear regression examined factors associated with mental health indicators. Faculty, staff, and students responded (N=1345). Findings indicated that most respondents were not getting adequate sleep, meeting physical activity recommendations, or eating the daily recommended number of fruits/vegetables. Fourteen to 54.9% of participants reported depression, anxiety, and burnout. Overall, students, faculty and staff at colleges that operated under a strong wellness culture had better outcomes. Wellness cultures impact the mental and physical health of faculty, staff, and students.