Well-being Of College Students Research Articles

Can self-guided colouring improve university student wellbeing, mental health, and mindfulness?

ABSTRACT Background Mindfulness-based interventions can successfully improve wellbeing in young adults. Mindful colouring is an applied mindfulness practice and improves short-term wellbeing. Less evidence is available about the effectiveness of regular, self-guided colouring. We investigated a self-guided two-week colouring intervention for university student wellbeing. Methods One-hundred and forty university students completed a minimum of 10-min self-guided colouring, six times over two weeks. Participants were assessed at baseline and two-week follow-up using self-report measures of wellbeing, relating to quality of life, perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and mindfulness. Results Colouring significantly improved all measures of mental health, wellbeing and mindfulness in students who completed at least six sessions of self-guided colouring. Conclusion Colouring is an accessible activity that can improve student wellbeing when carried out regularly over two weeks. Future research should investigate the impact of longer-term colouring practice on wellbeing, and the effect of this intervention in the general adult population.

Time to act: Mental health and desired university supports among graduate students

ABSTRACT Research on university student well-being often fails to differentiate between graduate and undergraduate students or overlooks graduate students entirely. The different characteristics of graduate (vs. undergraduate) students may contribute to unique mental health needs in this population; hence research is needed to specifically address their psychological functioning. Thus, the goals of the present study were to report on: (1) the mental health profile of a large sample of Canadian graduate students; and (2) graduate students’ recommendations for what their university could do to improve their well-being. We used an online survey administered from September 2021 to October 2022. Participants included 648 graduate students from a university in Southwestern Ontario, Canada (response rate = 20.6%; M age = 27.9; 73.1% women; 65.1% White). We examined mental health variables and perceived university supportiveness; and conducted an inductive content analysis of recommendations to improve university-provided support. Graduate students reported alarming rates of ill-being across various domains. Advisor support was associated with better graduate student mental health across multiple indicators. Most frequently, graduate students requested increased financial support to improve well-being. Taken together, these results punctuate the need for action to support graduate students and provide suggestions for meaningful change.

Perceived Health Risks Associated with Smartphone Use Among Health College Students at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia

Background Smartphones have evolved into a fusion of traditional personal digital assistants and cellular phones, integrating mobile communication capabilities with features parallel to those of a handheld computer. Objective This study aimed to assess the health risks associated with smartphone use and the prevalence and nature of observed health issues among health college students at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia. Methods Employing a descriptive cross-sectional research design, this study surveyed a convenience sample of 511 health college students at Qassim University. The data collection instrument comprised two sections: Section 1 assessed sociodemographic, academic, and health-related information, while Section 2 evaluated the health risks as perceived by students. Results The majority of the participants were women (71%) and were studying nursing (26%). A significant proportion (39.9%) reported blurred vision, while 38.6% indicated a lack of adequate sleep. Notably, no significant association was observed between the health complaints and sociodemographic information. The analysis also revealed no significant relationship between health complaints and smartphone usage patterns. Conclusion The findings highlight a critical need for further research to investigate the factors contributing to the effect of smartphone use on the physiological well-being of university students. Such research is essential for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the associated health risks.

Self-Attitude Parameters as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being in Students with Limited Health Capacities.

Psychological well-being is a system of optimal psychological qualities and states manifested as life strategy and a system of personal attitude to the world and oneself. Self-attitude is an intrapersonal phenomenon of individual projections in the field of self-awareness. In assessing psychological well-being, it acts as a guiding vector for self-development and self-actualization. In case of people with disabilities, psychological well-being largely depends on self-attitude as a predictor. This study featured the effect of self-attitude on psychological well-being in university students with limited health capacities. The study involved 60 students aged 18–25. The list of methodological tools involved Sentence Completion (J. M. Sacks, S. Levy), Subjective Well-Being Scale (adapted by M. V. Sokolova), and Personal Self-Attitude (V. V. Stolin, S. R. Pantileev). The study established differences in the assessment of psychological well-being by students with and without disabilities. Physically challenged students tended to demonstrate low self-esteem, associated with negative emotional and health experience. They also had specific parameters of self-attitude with a vector of positivity and trends towards personal growth. These parameters are a motivating component of social behavior that determines the general perception of psychological well-being by students with disabilities.

Protective Effect of Exercise Against Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among University Students Based on Their Level of Academic Performance.

Background and Objectives: Certain lifestyle behaviors can act as either buffering or aggravating factors influencing the mental well-being of university students. The current investigation assessed the association between academic performance and the risk of anxiety, depression, and stress among university students and how physical activity might buffer the levels of these conditions. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized to reach a sample of university students from Saudi Arabia. Data about the demographics of the students, GPA, exercise regularity, and levels of anxiety, depression, and stress were collected. Logistic regression was performed to investigate the influence of exercise regularity on the presence of anxiety, depression, and stress, dividing the sample according to the GPA category. Result: A total of 506 students were recruited. The mean age of the students was 22 years, and 53% of the students were men. An assessment of the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress indicated that 60%, 57%, and 40% have abnormal levels of these conditions, respectively. Students with a GPA of "good" or lower exhibited higher levels of stress. Exercising regularly was associated with a protective effect against depression and stress (p < 0.05). However, the buffering effect of exercise was more apparent among students with a GPA of "very good" or above compared to students with lower academic achievement. Conclusions: The lack of a statistically significant association between physical activity regularity and mental well-being among students classified as low academic achievers may indicate the need for additional psychological support in addition to the promotion of a physically active lifestyle.

Assessing well-being of university students and evaluation of its determinants

BackgroundOur study aimed to examine the well-being of students studying at the three (non-medical) faculties of Semmelweis University Budapest, to analyse the relationships between well-being, stress, emotional support, sleep patterns, sport, and further variables like smoking, consumption of sleeping pills, sedatives, psychoactive agents, energy drinks, and exam anxiety.MethodsIn our cross-sectional study, we asked 561 students of the Semmelweis University of Budapest; two internationally recognised instruments were used: the WHO-5 well-being index and the Perceived Stress Scale.ResultsThe mean WHO-5 well-being index was 42.62 ± 20.51 on a scale ranging from 0 to 100. We saw an inverse correlation between student well-being and years of study. The average anxiety level regarding oral exams and assessments was 7.63 ± SD = 2.04, while the mean level was lower concerning written exams and assessments 5.74 ± SD = 2.09. The result of a linear regression model indicates that the best level of explaining power by the regression model was with following variables combination: grade average + anxiety before written exam + academic year + stress.ConclusionOur data indicate that some students have poor or very poor well-being, which fluctuates over the study period. The worst state was found in the first and final academic year. The students’ well-being level is positively correlated with emotional support, physical activity, and quality of sleep and correlates negatively with anxiety before exams. Our results suggest that well-being could be improved when universities play an active role, supporting influential activities and offering help regarding coping with stress, like stress management, as well as by providing information on learning methods and techniques.

The Influential Role of Baduanjin on the Mental Health of Medical Students: A Review

Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese health care practice, not only promotes muscle relaxation and bone strengthening while preventing and treating illnesses but also contributes positively to mental nourishment and emotional regulation. This paper employs a literature review and logical analysis to comprehensively assess the impact of Baduanjin on the mental health of medical students in higher education institutions. The findings indicate a significant prevalence of mental health issues among medical students in recent years, with a myriad of complex influencing factors. Furthermore, interventions aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of college students have become increasingly diverse. Notably, Baduanjin stands out as a traditional physical activity intervention that is both straightforward to implement and effective in bolstering students' mental health. Moving forward, it may serve as a preventive measure for mental wellness in the physical education curricula of universities, fostering the holistic development of both physical and mental health.

Exploring the Associations between Autistic Traits, Sleep Quality and Well-Being in University Students: A Narrative Review.

While research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been growing, not enough research has been conducted to understand the impact of autistic traits and the broader autism phenotype (BAP), especially on the sleep quality and well-being of university students. The focus of this paper is to review the existing research on this topic and identify the key areas of interest for future research, presented in the form of a narrative review. While the review identifies the need for research on the topic, it also identifies other factors such as gender, age, culture, and internet and smartphone use that may have an impact on the relationship between autistic traits, sleep quality and well-being in university students. The review also identified the importance of using a larger sample size, appropriate measures, especially for quantifying autistic traits, and an appropriate analysis strategy involving a multivariate analysis.

Modeling the effects of health-related habits and lifestyle on the general health of university students.

The general health of undergraduate university students has long-term social and career implications. This study, involving a cross-sectional design, is aimed at modeling the impact of sleep quality, living condition, lifestyle, eating habit, financial situation and some demographic factors on the general health and wellbeing of university students. A sample of 699 undergraduate students who met the inclusion criteria where recruited from the Faculty of Education of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria for the study. Quantitative data were collected with the help of general heath questionnaire, sleep quality assessment questionnaire, lifestyle index, eating habit questionnaire, living condition questions, and demographic questions. Generalized linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictors of general health of the students while Chi-square measure of association was used to ascertain the relationship between sleep quality and living condition of the students. At 0.05 level of significance, the year of study, sex, Parents/guardians' financial status, student's financial situation last 1 month, living condition (living in overcrowded rooms), source of daily meals, number of times food is eating per day, change in eating habit, risky lifestyle and severe sleep difficulty have significant negative effect on the general health of the students. Eating 3 times a day improved the health of the students. Mitigating food insecurity, insufficient financial challenges and risky lifestyles of the students while improving the living conditions will improve the health and wellbeing of the students.

Exploring Academic Well-Being Of College Students In The Digital Age: Evaluating YouTube's Impact As An Educational Resource

Social media has strongly influenced various aspects of our everyday walks of life. During the pandemic, Online education tools and techniques have taken over from the traditional face-to-face teaching-learning method of chalk and board. As a good digitalized teaching medium, YouTube has now emerged to satisfy Generation Z's needs. With its ground-breaking approach to audio-visual learning, YouTube has simplified and revolutionized teaching and learning. YouTube has shown to be a successful educational tool since it links academics, educators, and research investigators across the globe and provides intriguing, enlightening, and entertaining content. This has given education a new dynamic perspective by fostering innovation and creativity. Hence, the objective of the current study is to investigate the various factors that influence the use of YouTube as a learning tool, which also influences the academic well-being of college students in the digital era. Structural Equation Modeling was applied to evaluate the influence of key constructs like Information Quality, Information Usefulness, and Information adoption on the Academic well-being of the students in digital format. The study confirms the significant effect of YouTube as a learning tool on the academic well-being of Undergraduate students of Arts, Science and Humanities disciplines.

Mediating Role of Altruism in the Relationship Between Self-Forgiveness and Subjective Well-Being in University Students

Mediating Role of Altruism in the Relationship Between Self-Forgiveness and Subjective Well-Being in University Students

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COPING THROUGH HUMOR AND MENTAL WELL-BEING IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF REAPPRAISAL

Using humor as a coping tool in the face of stressful situations increases positive affect and well-being by enabling individuals to evaluate the negative situation from a new perspective. In this study, the mediating role of reappraisal in the relationship between coping through humor and mental well-being was examined. The sample of the study consisted of 505 university students studying at state universities in Turkey in the 2023-2024 academic year. Data were collected from students in state universities in 20 different cities of Turkey. Considering the ease of accessing data, the convenient sampling method was preferred. The Coping with the Humor Scale, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale Short Form, and the Reappraisal subscale of the Emotion Regulation Scale were used as data collection tools in the study. The reliability of the scales used in the study was examined by confirmatory factor analysis. The relationships between variables were examined by Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis was performed using Process Macro (model 4). In the regression analysis, mediation was tested with the Bootstrap technique. According to the results of correlation and regression analyses, it was seen that there were significant positive relationships between coping through humor, mental well-being, and reappraisal. According to the results of regression-based Bootstrap analysis, coping through humor is a predictor of mental well-being and reappraisal has a partial mediating role in the relationship between coping through humor and mental well-being. It is thought that the results obtained can contribute to research and application examples involving humor and reappraisal in increasing the mental well-being of university students and fill a gap in the literature.

An Exploration of the Role of Group Counseling in Enhancing the Psychological Well-Being of College Students

In contemporary society, university students grapple with multifaceted pressures stemming from academics, daily life, and interpersonal relationships, rendering mental health issues an ever-more paramount social concern. Group counseling, as a collective psychological intervention, holds significant potential in enhancing students' psychological well-being. This study delves into how specific measures, such as augmenting social support, fostering self-awareness, and honing emotional management skills through group counseling, can effectively ameliorate students' psychological states. Concurrently, it outlines a comprehensive set of implementation recommendations. These measures not only equip students with enhanced resilience to navigate academic and life challenges but also cultivate deeper, more positive thinking patterns and an optimistic disposition. By instituting regular assessments and feedback mechanisms on the efficacy of group counseling, the guiding framework can be continuously refined, thereby ensuring a sustained elevation in psychological well-being.

Personal Resources for Psychological Well-Being in University Students: The Roles of Psychological Capital and Coping Strategies.

In recent years, research has noted the increasing prevalence of mental health problems among university students. The current mental health needs of the university population, along with the multitude of stressors they face, have increased the importance of examining their psychological well-being and determining the personal resources that effectively promote it. In this context, the present research aims to analyze the roles of psychological capital (PsyCap) and coping strategies as personal resources that are significantly related to the psychological well-being (PWB) of university students. Specifically, the mediating roles of various coping strategies (both adaptive and maladaptive) in the relationship between PsyCap and PWB are explored. The study involves 391 university students from Spain. The results show partial mediation effects of adaptive coping strategies (cognitive restructuring and social support) on the relationship between PsyCap and PWB. Likewise, PsyCap is shown to be a direct positive predictor of adaptive coping strategies and PWB, as well as a direct negative predictor of maladaptive coping strategies (self-criticism). Therefore, it is concluded that PsyCap and some adaptive coping strategies serve as valuable personal resources that predict PWB in university students. PsyCap is also associated with a lower tendency to engage in maladaptive coping strategies, such as self-criticism. Similarly, the use of cognitive restructuring and/or social support is related to high levels of PWB among university students.

“There are support resources, but they are kind of hidden”: social network analysis of college students' support systems in relation to type 1 diabetes management

Type 1 diabetes is an invisible disability requiring major life changes and constant monitoring. It can become particularly challenging to control during a major life transition. This study examines the composition and nature of the social networks of college students living with type 1 diabetes. A total of 17 respondents with type 1 diabetes and 18–25 years of age participated in network interviews. Network Canvas facilitated online data collection. The results show that efforts to protect the wellbeing of college students with T1D require active participation of university organizations and certain individuals from students' formal and informal connections. Such connections define students' support networks in college and provide access to social capital. Practical implications and recommendations for university leadership and students' parents are discussed.

Neglected Students’ Subjective Well-Being in World-Class Universities: A Qualitative Study

Many universities striving for world-class university (WCU) status have increasingly prioritized academic advancement, research, and policy development, often at the expense of students’ subjective well-being. While most studies on the transformation of tertiary institutions into WCUs focus on conceptualization, management challenges, and global impacts, few have considered the well-being of university students. This research aimed to examine the neglect of students’ subjective well-being in universities aspiring to achieve WCU status and to explore the underlying reasons for this oversight. The researchers employed a qualitative approach, collecting data through in-depth interviews with students, lecturers, and university administrators, as well as through observations and document analysis, to investigate the marginalization of students’ well-being. These findings reveal that universities targeting world-class status often overlook students’ well-being in their policies, infrastructure, and institutional culture. The study calls for increased awareness of students’ subjective well-being in the academic community and the provision of structural support for students’ mental health.

Online Learning Self-Efficacy Beliefs Predict Subjective Well-Being of College Students During COVID-19 Pandemic

Online learning self-efficacy is associated with significant psychological outcomes among college students. Nevertheless, research on investigating self-efficacy among college students during COVID-16 pandemic is limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of self-efficacy beliefs regarding online learning in predicting subjective well-being of college students. One hundred and sixty-five college students were recruited for the study. Participants completed the Online Learning Self-Efficacy Scale (OLSES), the Subjective Well-Being Scale (SWBS), as well as a socio-demographic information form including items about COVID-19-related anxiety and perceived impact of COVID-19 on daily life. Regression analyses showed that overall self-efficacy predicted the subjective well-being scores. However, only time management subdimension of self-efficacy predicted subjective well-being. Our findings indicate that high levels of self-efficacy beliefs, and, in particular beliefs regarding time management, are associated with elevated levels of subjective well-being among college students. Interventions regarding self-efficacy in online learning environments may aid college students who have lower levels of subjective well-being during COVID-19.

Impact of Social Media Usage on Students’ Mental Health and Overall Well-Being of University Undergraduate Students

The function of social media was substantial and its advancement had impacted different spheres of people’s lives, the leading change being in terms of cognitive processes and corresponding daily routines, interpersonal communication, knowledge acquisition, self-identification, and ways of perceiving environment. This study investigated the link between social media usage and the mental health and well-being of university students. Study included variables of social media usage, stress level, constant thinking, self- esteem, sleep schedule, emotional well-being, and daily routine. The main motive of the study was to examine the effect of digital media on student's mental health and well-being of undergraduate’s university students and to explore the demographic differences like gender on the influence of social media usage on the mental health and well-being of university undergraduate students through survey research method. The research methodology was used in this study quantitative and descriptive type nature research. The data were collected from 250 students from the undergraduates’ students of University of Sargodha through Convenient sampling technique. The research instrument for this study was self-developed by the researcher. In this present study independent sample T-Test was used to check the demographic difference and Pearson Correlation was used for checking the link between social media and mental health. Study revealed a significant positive relationship between social media usage and mental well-being indicating that expanded social media usage was associated with improved mental well-being. In this study no notable gender gap were discovered in the relationship between social media usage and mental health outcomes. Findings suggested that social media usage may had a beneficial impact on mental well-being among university students.

Subjective well-being of college students: Developmental trajectories, predictors, and risk for depression

The study aimed to identify different developmental trajectories of subjective well-being for 2 473 college students from freshman to senior year (female = 47.15%; mean age = 19.6 years, SD = 0.894 years). We further explored the associations between categories of well-being development and depression levels across different groups of subjective well-being. Students completed a longitudinal survey over four academic years, self-reporting their subjective well-being, mental state, demographic characteristics, family background, and academic performance. Growth mixture model analysis revealed three distinct developmental trajectories of college students’ subjective well-being: high stable (HS), low increasing (LI), and high decreasing (HD). Factors such as sex, physical health, self-esteem, parental education level, and peer relationships were significantly associated with the subjective well-being classification trajectories. In addition, a stable and high level of subjective well-being was associated with lower risk for depression. The results indicate the importance of subjective well-being practices for students’ long-term schooling-related quality of life.

Inclusive Universities. Exploring the well-being of university students with special needs in Albania

Aim. The purpose of this study is to explore the issue of the inclusion of university students with special needs (USSN) in universities and their social well-being, based on the case of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Tirana in the Republic of Albania. Methods. The methodology used is based on the combination of secondary sources, with primary ones, provided through the interview of the academic and administrative staff, parents and students. Results. The study highlighted that in the Republic of Albania important positive steps have been taken in improving the legislation of Higher Education regarding the inclusion of UUUUSSN in universities. This has been successfully adapted to the Unaiversity Statute of the University of Tirana. Also, the study highlighted that even from the infrastructural aspect, some opportunities have been created for USSN in this faculty, but they are still insufficient. The lack of protocols and individual programmes for the treatment of USSN is a necessity. Regardless of these shortcomings and some people’s skepticism about the participation of USSN in university education, a friendly climate is created in this faculty, in function of the social well-being of USSN. Conclusions. As a conclusion, the adaptation of the philosophy of inclusion in concrete practices is met with numerous challenges. Regarding the creation of a friendly climate in function of the social welfare of USNS, the case of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Tirana constitutes a positive model, which should be promoted.