College Population Research Articles

Enhancing Healthy Food Choices in a University Canteen Exploring the Influence of Menu Labeling

This research investigates the attempt to enhance healthy food choices within a university canteen through the implementation of menu labeling. This paper explores the impact of providing nutritional information on food menus, investigating its influence on patrons' dietary decisions. Through a com-prehensive mixed-methods approach, this research combines quantitative analysis of survey responses and qualitative insights to provide a multifaceted perspective on the influence of menu labeling. The findings reveal that menu labeling plays an essential role in promoting healthier food choices, with participants demonstrating increased awareness and engagement with nutritional information. Furthermore, this paper highlights the various factors that contribute to the effectiveness of menu labeling, including its format, visibility, and the broader context of individuals' decision-making processes. By shedding light on the positive impact of menu labeling, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on public health interventions within university environments. The insights gained from this research offer implications for canteen management, policymakers, and researchers seeking to further enhance the health and wellbeing of university populations.

Can an apophatic meditation promote long‐term adjustment in hope? A time‐series model of centering meditation

AbstractThe authors investigate the effects of centering meditation on state hope among college and graduate students through a randomized controlled trial. Participants (n = 150; 65% white, 84% female) were randomized to either a centering meditation group or a waitlist control group. Time‐series analyses indicated that centering meditation significantly improved hope, suggesting long‐term dynamic adjustment, compared to a control group. Specifically, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) procedures indicated that the treatment group exhibited a statistically significant upward trend in hope, ARIMA (1, 1, 0). As expected, the control group's levels of hope were stationary, ARIMA (1, 0, 1). The study highlights the potential benefits of centering meditation as an evidence‐based counseling intervention for improving hope in the college population.

Insomnia Medication Use by University Students: A Systematic Review.

Problematic sleep or insomnia has been a recognised issue for many individuals in society, and university students can be of particular concern due to unique academic pressures. A systematic review was designed to summarise the current evidence about the extent of insomnia medication used by university students and identify characteristics of those more willing to use medication to manage insomnia. Searches were undertaken using Psych INFO, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, resulting in 25 eligible studies across multiple countries between 1994 and 2020. The prevalence of sleep medication use by students varied widely, from 2% to 41.2%, with an average of 13.1%. Female gender, students experiencing poor sleep, smoking, drinking stimulant beverages, and undertaking fewer physical activities were associated with the use of insomnia medication. Insomnia medication use exists within university student populations but appears to vary considerably worldwide; identifying multiple population characteristics associated with such use would offer opportunities to identify and support those affected.

Impact of COVID-19 on education, social life, and mental health to university population in Albania: A cross-sectional survey

The outbreak of COVID-19 affected the lives of all sections of society and caused serious implications for mental health. The aimed study was to investigate and analyzed the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life of students. This cross-sectional survey was conducted from October - December 2020 on 472 students. We prepared the questionnaire addressing some factors such as demographic, education, social life, and mental health. The p < 0.05 was considered significant. The average age was 20.45, and 70% of participants were females. Approximately 23% of students referred to present problems with depression, fear, and anxiety during COVID-19. The mean value of PHQ9 resulted in the moderate range while the mean GAD7 score was in the mild range. In females, 61% are more likely to be affected by mental health during this worldwide pandemic compared to males 39%. The findings of this study identify mild levels of anxiety and depression in students. These mental health levels were related to a combination of pandemic-related stresses and limitations caused by the lockdown, negative impact on social life, poor social communication, and disturbed sleep habits. However, we strongly recommend providing students support by academics and stakeholders to reduce the likelihood of longer-term problems.

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine intention in a University population: a serial mediation approach

Abstract Background While many studies have used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to understand vaccination intention, few have explored the relationships between the HBM constructs. The aim of this study is to develop a serial mediation model dealing with latent variables to assess direct and indirect effects of the six HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy and cue to action) on COVID-19 vaccine intention. Methods From April to June 2021, a questionnaire on vaccine intention against COVID-19 was administered to staff and students at the University of Liège (Belgium). To evaluate direct and indirect effects of the HBM constructs on vaccine intention (score 0-100), serial mediation models for each latent variable permutation were assessed with Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM). Bayesian information criterion (BIC) was used to compare models. Internal consistency reliability and discriminant validity were evaluated. Sociodemographic variables, health literacy, psychological profile, body mass index, chronic disease and previous COVID-19 infection were included in the models as covariates. Results The sample consisted of 1256 participants. After running all permutation chains, the final causal chain, with the lowest BIC value, was barriers (-0.09 (-0.15 - -0.03))* - severity (-0.13 (-0.20 - -0.07))* - low self-efficacy (0.20 (0.15 - 0.25))* - low susceptibility (-0.55 (-0.60 - -0.51))* - vaccine intention (outcome). This highlighted a significant indirect and direct effect (-0.20 (-0.25 - -0.15))* between barriers and vaccine intention. Constructs benefits and cue to action were removed due to no significant path and weak reliability. Non-significant confounding factors were also removed. *estimate Conclusions The results showed that perceived barriers are a key determinant of COVID-19 vaccine resistance. Public health actors should communicate messages to remove barriers that reduce vaccine intention primarily. Key messages • Serial mediations allow a better understanding of how a vaccination intention works. • Public health communications should primarily focus on messages to remove barriers to get vaccinated.

Safety and Academic Outcomes of College Campus-Based Advocacy Services.

Intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual assault, and stalking are consequential public health and safety issues with wide reaching impacts on emerging adults, including those on college campuses in the United States. In response to high rates of violence among college student populations, universities are developing campus-based advocacy (CBA) programs, which aim to support survivors of interpersonal violence through supportive connections, resource acquisition, and safety planning. However, little data exists related to their impact on key student-survivor outcomes. Thus, this study aims to understand (a) the approach CBA programs use to address safety and academic concerns of student-survivors, and (b) the initial outcomes of CBA programs on safety and academics among students engaged in CBA services at five universities in one Southwestern state. The project used a longitudinal mixed-methods approach, with data collection activities including qualitative interviews with student survivors (n = 29) and a longitudinal, web-based, quantitative survey with matched analyses of safety and academic outcome measures from 115 student survivors who participated in an initial survey and follow-up survey after 6 months. Findings demonstrate key pathways through which CBA programs support survivors and facilitate positive safety and academic outcomes. These pathways include education, supportive connection, and resource access. Analysis of longitudinal survivor data demonstrate substantial reductions in sexual violence, IPV, stalking, and school sabotage at 6-month follow-up compared to initial survey, as well as significant reductions in academic disengagement for student survivors. The findings of the study powerfully demonstrate the positive impact of CBA programs on survivor and campus outcomes. Furthermore, programs not only enhance individual survivor safety and academic outcomes but also support the overall climate and safety of hosting universities.

2D Crime Scene Investigation Simulator for the Criminology Schools of Negros Occidental

Criminal investigation is a fundamental subject of Criminal Justice education, where students develop analytical and critical thinking skills by performing crime scene investigations. However, the demand for enhanced training is also rising due to the rising population of criminology colleges. This training is vital as this is where the student’s skills and knowledge are applied and improved. This study aimed to develop a reliable, easy-to-use 2D crime scene investigation simulator to address this issue. The study utilized descriptive analytical tools for monitoring and assessing students’ performance and progress in crime scene investigation. The study also used the Agile method to ensure the development team can complete the project on time. After utilizing the Crime Scene Simulator, the Clustering Algorithm was applied to analyze the student’s performance. Only the crime scene investigation process was included in the study, excluding other methods, such as forensics, identifying crimes, or arresting perpetrators. The findings of the system testing show that the system is reliable and easy to use for tracking the progress and performance of the students. The College of Criminal Justice education of STI West Negros University was considered the pilot criminology school of this study. The project was developed during the School Year 2022-2023.

Food Addiction and Grazing-The Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Negative Urgency in University Students.

University students are a vulnerable population to the development of disordered eating, such as food addiction (FA) and grazing. FA is an emerging concept characterized by an intense desire to eat hyper-palatable foods. Grazing is characterized by the repetitive and unplanned ingestion of food throughout a period of time. Both FA and grazing have been associated with increased scores of negative urgency (NU) and difficulties in emotion regulation (ER). This study aims to evaluate the frequency of FA and grazing in a university population and to test the direct, total, and indirect effects-via FA-of ER and NU on repetitive eating and compulsive grazing. A total of 338 participants responded to a set of psychological measures assessing these variables. Thirty-six (10.7%) participants met the criteria for FA diagnosis and 184 (54.4%) presented grazing. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit indexes for the model tested (χ2(1695) = 3167.575; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.955; NFI = 0.908; TLI = 0.953; SRMR = 0.085; RMSEA = 0.051; CI 90% (0.048; 0.053); P[RMSEA ≤ 0.05] = 0.318) and suggested that FA partially mediated the effect of difficulties in ER and NU on grazing, specifically on compulsive grazing. The results indicate that individuals with difficulties in ER and impulse control under negative emotions are more likely to engage in grazing if food addiction scores are higher. These results highlight the importance of assessing these variables, particularly in at-risk populations such as university students.

A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness: effects on university students’ mental health

BackgroundThe development of mental health disorders is common in the university population, and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) seem to be effective in addressing them in different contexts. Thus, this study investigated the impact of an 8-week MBI adapted to university students from the Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBSR) on different symptoms related to mental health problems, specifically symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia.MethodsUniversity students (n = 136) were randomized into MBI group (n = 71) or wait-list group (n = 65). All participants completed self-administered questionnaires before and after the intervention, and the experimental group answered questionnaires weekly during intervention. Generalized mixed models were used to assess the effects of the intervention.ResultsThere were improvements in the symptoms of stress (B = 5.76, p < 0.001), depression (B = 1.55, p < 0.01) and insomnia (B = 1.35, p = 0.020) from the beginning of the intervention to the final assessment when it was compared to the control group. No effect was found in respect of trait anxiety. The MBI was found to be effective in reducing important symptoms related to university students’ mental health, possibly grounding further research on the intervention’s potential of preventing the development of mental disorders.Trial registrationThe research was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) - number RBR-63qsqx, approved at 09/16/2019.

An online research immersion program to increase introductory science student confidence and science identity.

The number of undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds enrolled in science and technology-related courses has increased over the past 20 years, but these students' persistence in STEM majors until graduation still lags behind the overall college population. Interventions like exposure to independent research, instruction using active learning, and connection within a scientific community have been shown to increase persistence and the development of science identity, especially for underrepresented minority students (URM), students with high financial need, and first-generation college students. However, exposure to research for introductory students can be expensive or challenging for an institution to provide and for some students to access. We designed Wintersession Research Week as a remotely taught, collaborative introduction to independent research for beginning undergraduate students, prioritizing those traditionally underrepresented in STEM (low income, first generation, and URM students). Because this program utilized graduate students as research mentors, we also provided training and mentoring to develop the next generation of science faculty. We found that the program helped undergraduate student participants to develop a scientific identity and increase confidence in their skills, and that graduate students found the experience valuable for their future teaching. We believe that elements of this program are adaptable to both virtual and in-person settings as an introduction to research, mentorship, and teaching for students and mentors.

B - 96 Assessing the Factor Structure of Social Connectedness and its Psychopathological Correlates.

Since COVID-19, social isolation has become increasingly prevalent, impacting neurocognitive, physical, and psychological health. Assessment of psychological functioning involves gauging levels of social dysfunction, particularly ones that capture psychopathological correlates. The current study aimed to explore the factor structure of the Social Connectedness Scale (SCS) as well as the predictive nature of depression and anhedonia on factor loadings of the SCS. Past studies established the SCS as a one-factor scale, however, social disconnection is observed in individuals with various pathologies, suggesting a multifaceted nature to this construct. A university population (N = 383) was given the SCS, the Revised-Social Anhedonia Scale-Short Form (RSAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). An exploratory factor analysis with Varimax rotation and maximum likelihood extraction yielded three factors explaining 60% of the variance. Factor 1 (factor loadings between 0.48 and 0.78) reflected overall feelings of disconnection from the world, and 35% of the variance. Factor two (factor loadings between 0.57 and 0.78) contributed 16% of the variance, measuring closeness with friends and family. Factor three (factor loadings between 0.61and 0.69) explained 6% of the variance, measuring stranger adaptability. A hierarchical linear regression show RSAS and BDI predicting more variance for factor 1 (R2 = 0.43) than factor 2 (R2 = 0.31) or factor 3 (R2 = 0.17), all ps < 0.01. These results did not replicate a one-factor structure similar to past studies, supporting a multidimensional and complex nature of social connection. Measurement of social connection dimensions may be particularly relevant to assessment of individuals with mixed neuropsychological and psychopathological features.

Let’s talk about researchers’ mental well-being

ABSTRACT Although mental health concerns among university populations are on the rise, discussions of academia-related trauma rarely occur in published outlets. They are usually limited to informal talks and the private exchange of anecdotes during conferences and workshops. This is problematic because accounts of how to mitigate stress, anxiety and depression in the academic environment are valuable for both early-career and senior researchers. In being honest about the strategies that I have developed to protect my mental well-being, both during my fieldwork in Central Asia and the academic environment more generally, I do not wish to make totalizing generalizations about researchers’ trauma experiences in our discipline. By contrast, I hope that my account presented here will invite further academic discussion about the possibility of academia-related trauma and its implications for scholars’ work and mental well-being.

The habitual characteristic of smart phone use under relevant cues among Chinese college students.

Excessive smartphone use may be habitual behavior induced by cues associated with the phone. Habitual behavior occurs outside of awareness and is characterized by lack of control. It is not like problematic smartphone use (PSU) (Brand et al., 2016), which is used to either limit behavior or produce pleasure and relieve feelings of pain, stress, and failure despite significant harmful consequences. 62 college students participated in experiments to test the effects of visual cues and self-control, which are the important characteristic of habitual behavior in smartphone-related behavior. The results showed that a significantly larger amount of cue-related phone use behavior occurred in the setting where participants (a) had their smartphones in sight and (b) were given no instructions to exert self-control, compared to when neither of the two conditions was imposed. The habitual model is a useful framework for understanding PSU and can help people avoid it with less stress. The results provide substantial implications for reducing the frequency and duration of smartphone use among college populations.

Perception of danger, coping strategies, and mental health in university population

Objective: This study aimed to relate life satisfaction and psychological distress to coping with the perception of criminal danger in university students. Method: Three scales were used: The Life Satisfaction Scale, the K-10 Psychological Distress Scale, and the Coping with Perceived Danger Scale. A total of 370 university students participated, of whom 65.4% were female, and 13.8% had experienced crime in the previous two years. Result: A positive and statistically significant relationship was found between coping with perceived danger, such as cautious avoidance (r=0.274, p ≤ 0.00), preventive coping (r=0.344, p ≤ 0.00), and extreme avoidance (r=0.207, p ≤0.00), with psychological distress. These relationships were even stronger for victims of crime. Women show higher levels of psychological distress and more cautious, avoidant and extreme coping strategies in the face of danger compared to men. Finally, a negative and significant relationship was observed between psychological distress and life satisfaction. Conclusion: It appears that regardless of whether a person has been a victim of crime in the last two years, perceptions of danger and strategies of cautious and even extreme crime prevention are related.

Teachers’ experiences with a mandatory multi-purpose teaching portfolio: a mixed methods study

ABSTRACT Little is known about the use of multipurpose teaching portfolios. In this study we examined teachers’ general perceptions of a mandatory and publicly available multipurpose teaching portfolio at a research-intensive university with a survey design and a mixed-method approach. Responses from a representative sample of 384 teachers from the intended university population (N=1,160) on 20 survey items were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The portfolio was found to only support its intended developmental purpose to a minor extent. The perceived value of the portfolio was influenced by how teaching was perceived to be valued by leadership in the context. The evidence from this study is relevant for academic developers advising institutional or governmental quality policy makers on the use of teaching portfolios.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Serological Profile of a Brazilian University Population.

COVID-19 led to the suspension academic activities worldwide, affecting millions of students and staff. In this study, we evaluated the presence of IgM and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in an academic population during the return to classes after a one-year suspension. The study took place over five months at a Brazilian university and included 942 participants. We found that most participants had reactive IgG and non-reactive IgM. All received at least one dose, and 940 received two or more doses, of different COVID-19 vaccines. We obtained a higher average of memory antibodies (IgG) in participants who received the CoronaVac/ChAdOx1 combination. IgG was consistently distributed for each vaccine group, but individuals who completed the vaccination schedule had higher levels. There were no differences between antibodies and gender, presence of symptoms, and previous COVID-19 infection, but older participants (>53 years) and contacts of infected individuals had higher IgM levels. This study makes significant contributions to the assessment of antibodies in the academic environment, allowing us to infer that most participants had memory immunity and low indications of recent infection when returning to face-to-face classes, as well as demonstrating the need to monitor immunity and update vaccinations.

O.1.1-11 Are stress symptoms associated to health-enhancing physical activity levels in university students? The case of a Belgian French-speaking university in 2022

Abstract Purpose Starting university is often associated with a decrease in physical activity and an increase in stress levels. In students, higher levels of stress have been associated with lower PA participation. During the pandemic, students’ levels of PA seem to have decreased whilst stress symptoms (SS) have increased. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and SS in students attending a French-speaking university in Brussels in spring 2022. Methods Data was collected using an online questionnaire in 1,754 voluntary students. HEPA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and SS were assessed using the Stress single item measure. Binary logistic regressions were used to investigate how much HEPA (yes/no) was associated to SS in three categories: minimally to not at all; very stressed; and highly stressed. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. All analyses were weighed to calibrate estimates to the entire university population. Results Among the study population (females: 59.3%), over a third of students (35.3%) were classified as HEPA active. This prevalence was the lowest amongst those who were “highly” stressed (28.8%), intermediate in those who were “very” stressed (34.0%) and the highest amongst those who were “minimally or not at all” stressed (39.6%) (p = 0.0005). After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, compared to those who were “highly” stressed, those who were “minimally or not at all” stressed were more likely to be HEPA active (aOR: 1.30; 95%CI: 1.00-1.70). There was no difference in the likelihood of being HEPA active for those who were “very” stressed (vs. highly stressed: aOR: 1.16; 95%CI: 0.87-1.56). Among the sociodemographic characteristics, sex and year of study were associated to HEPA. Females were less likely to be HEPA active compared to males (aOR: 0.38; 95%CI: 0.30-0.47), whereas undergraduate students were more likely to undertake HEPA than master’s students (1st year: aOR: 1.30; 95%CI: 1.00-1.69, 2nd-3rd year: aOR: 1.33; 95%CI: 1.03-1.72). Conclusions These findings indicate an association between HEPA and SS in students attending a French-speaking university in Belgium in 2022. They will enable to inform health promotion initiatives encouraging HEPA at the university.

Limited impact of contact tracing in a University setting for COVID-19 due to asymptomatic transmission and social distancing

Contact tracing is an important tool for controlling the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Here, we investigate the spread of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of contact tracing in a university population, using a data-driven ego-centric network model constructed with social contact data collected during 2020 and similar data collected in 2010. We find that during 2020, university staff and students consistently reported fewer social contacts than in 2010, however those contacts occurred more frequently and were of longer duration. We find that contact tracing in the presence of social distancing is less impactful than without social distancing. By combining multiple data sources, we show that University-aged populations are likely to develop asymptomatic COVID-19 infections. We find that asymptomatic index cases cannot be reliably discovered through contact tracing and consequently transmission in their social network is not significantly reduced through contact tracing. In summary, social distancing restrictions had a large impact on limiting COVID-19 outbreaks in universities; to reduce transmission further contact tracing should be used in conjunction with alternative interventions.

Subjective Sleep Quality, Caffeine, and Dieting Behaviors Among University-Attending Young Adults.

Research has shown that university students engage in behaviors that are associated with poor sleep quality, such as higher caffeine and alcohol intake. Yet studies exploring eating habits and weight loss mechanisms related to sleep quality have generally been inconclusive. This study explored total daily caffeine consumption (along with different sources of caffeine) as well as dieting and exercising to lose weight in the last 30 days as risk factors for poor sleep quality among an undergraduate university population. Full-time undergraduate students (n = 400) participated in an anonymous online survey about various health behaviors at a large, mid-Atlantic university. Multivariable linear regressions were run to consider subjective sleep quality in relation to caffeine consumption and dieting behavior along with other covariates. A sensitivity analysis was run to explore how different types of caffeinated beverages were associated with sleep quality as well. All analyses were conducted using SAS JMP Version 16. A stepwise multivariable linear regression controlling for alcohol use, grade point average, biological sex, and stress showed significant increases in sleep quality scores (indicating worsening sleep quality). Total caffeine consumption remained significant through the models until psychosocial factors were added (B = 0.003, p = 0.0035). The sensitivity analysis indicated that total caffeine consumption from soda remained significant across all models, significantly increasing sleep quality scores (B = 0.01; p = 0.0054). Higher amounts of caffeine from sodas were associated with more significant decreases in sleep quality than other types of caffeine, including energy drinks, coffee, and tea. Dieting or exercising to lose weight was not significantly associated with sleep quality. The results of this study can help to refine intervention efforts designed to improve sleep quality among undergraduate university students. Behavioral interventions specific to reducing caffeine intake, specifically from caffeinated sodas, may prove to be beneficial with this population.

EFFECT OF ISOMETRIC SQUAT EXERCISE ON SPRINT PERFORMANCE OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS

A soccer match makes heavy demands on both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. Elite players run 8–12 km during a game. Nevertheless, anaerobic metabolism is also crucial in sprints, jumps, and tackles. Many studies have stated that aerobic and anaerobic strength are significant features in soccer games. During a soccer match, soccer team members performed 60 to 70 runs from 12 to 15 m. Sprint running success, with or without the ball, is therefore a significant factor that can explain a winning team's supremacy. In essential ball duals, sprint could be key. In certain cases, the player should be quicker and more effective than the opponent to score goals or to avoid goals being scored. In addition, acceleration and speed can enhance skills vital to soccer, such as turning, sprinting, and changing tempo, by improving strength in appropriate muscles or muscle groups. The study was to evaluate the effect of isometric squat exercise on sprint performance of football players. The sample of 60 student were selected from the population of University of Lahore football team. Within 3 to 5 days after base training pre-test will be conducted in the morning by using 40-yard dash test. Post-test will be conducted after completion of Isometric Squat exercise training sessions. The results show that, differences between the two test 40 Yard Dash Test Post-Test of Experimental Group and 40 Yard Dash Test Post-Test of Control Group. This research study discovered that there was a statistically significant improvement in sprint performance by using Isometric Squat exercise Program.