Life Of University Students Research Articles

An Exploration of Innovation of Social Practice Model of Ideological and Political Courses in Colleges and Universities

Promoting the innovation and reform of ideological and political courses in colleges and universities with a social practice model is not only the basic requirement for colleges and universities to do a good job in the teaching of ideological and political courses in the new era but also the internal requirement for deepening the reform of ideological and political education in the new era and implementing the fundamental task of “cultivating morality and cultivating people.” At the same time, innovating the social practice mode of ideological and political course is helpful to solve the problems existing in ideological and political education in the past, and integrate the core connotation and spiritual concept of ideological and political education into the ideological life of college students. Based on this, this paper analyzes the basic mode of social practice of ideological and political courses in colleges and universities, and elaborates the direction and strategy of innovative social practice mode of ideological and political courses, to improve the effectiveness of ideological and political courses and promote the sustainable development of ideological and political education.

Comprehensive Wellness in University Life: An Analysis of Student Services and Their Impact on Quality of Life

Higher education regulatory bodies establish that universities should promote cultural, sports, mental health, and psycho-pedagogical programs. However, these initiatives are usually limited to satisfying minimum quality requirements, without delving into a true promotion of these areas. This study aimed to determine the relationship between university welfare services and students' quality of life. For this purpose, the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Methodology (PLS-SEM) was used with a sample of 253 university students from a Peruvian public university, to whom a questionnaire validated by specialists was applied. The results revealed that dropout and graduation promotion influence emotional well-being, mental health affects emotional well-being, the promotion of university life affects personal, physical, and social well-being, and the lack of scholarships and economic support negatively influences emotional well-being. In conclusion, college wellness services are key to improving the quality of life of college students who are prone to suffering from academic stress and frustration. Received: 2 June 2024 / Accepted: 29 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

The impact of alcohol consumption on the quality of life of college students: a study from three Slovak universities

Alcohol consumption can influence an individual's quality of life, with the impact varying based on several factors such as the amount of alcohol consumed, frequency of consumption, individual tolerance, and overall health. Slovakia is among the countries with the highest incidence of liver cirrhosis in the world, with alcohol representing a significant risk factor. Therefore, it is important to identify at-risk groups and the potential impact of various factors. The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and quality of life among college students in the Slovak Universities. A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2021 and January 2022. The study included college students with an average age of 22.3 years. Participants were surveyed about their alcohol consumption and quality of life using the standardized Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaires. These questionnaires were distributed through online school systems. In the study, 88.7% of the students reported drinking alcohol. A low AUDIT score was recorded for 67.1% of the total participants (2573 students). A medium score was found in 23.3% of the participants (893 students). High scores were identified in 2.4% of the participants (92 students), and very high scores were found in 2.2% of the total participants (86 students). Mild pain was reported in 33.8% of cases, while moderate pain was reported in 5.2% of cases. Mild depression and anxiety were reported in 31.1% of the cases, and moderate depression and anxiety were reported in 13.5% of the cases. There is a statistically significant relationship between AUDIT and EuroQOL variables (p < 0.001). This suggests that the association between alcohol use (measured by AUDIT) and health-related quality of life (measured by EuroQOL) is unlikely to be due to chance. Higher alcohol consumption was associated with a poorer quality of life in Slovak college students. Our results suggest a meaningful connection between alcohol consumption behaviors and overall quality of life, highlighting the potential impact of alcohol use on health outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore the nature and causality of this relationship, which could inform interventions aimed at improving health-related quality of life through alcohol use reduction strategies. The association between higher alcohol consumption and poorer quality of life in Slovak college students raises important questions about causality and the complex interplay between alcohol consumption and one’s overall well-being. The significant relationship between higher alcohol consumption and poorer quality of life suggests the need for targeted public health interventions aimed at reducing alcohol consumption among college students. Programs focusing on awareness and education about the negative impacts of excessive drinking could be implemented to promote healthier lifestyles.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students' psychological distress, well-being, and utilization of mental health services in the United States: populations at greatest risk.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to major disruptions in the lives of university students, which is a population that is already at a greater risk of mental health concerns. Little is known about how the pandemic impacted distress and mental health services utilization among university students across the United States. Using survey data from the National College Health Assessment, both before the COVID-19 pandemic (pre-March 2020, n = 88,986) and during the pandemic (Spring 2021, n = 96,489), the present study examined mental health symptoms and utilization of mental health services among undergraduate students attending four-year universities in the United States. There were notable increases in measures of psychological distress and reductions in well-being from before the pandemic to during the pandemic. However, overall utilization rates of mental health services slightly decreased from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic. Predictors of severe psychological distress included those who experienced loneliness, COVID-19 related stressors, and loss of a loved one from COVID-19. COVID-related stressors and loneliness were associated with higher utilization rates of mental health services, while well-being and resilience were associated with lower utilization rates. Analyses revealed that several demographic groups were at an elevated risk for severe psychological distress, including non-binary, female, and sexual minority students, and especially those who identify as both non-binary and non-heterosexual. Results indicated that students of color, especially female students of color, were less likely to receive mental health services. Future research is needed to increase our understanding of the barriers to mental health service use among high-risk university students.

Research on the construction of a service quality evaluation system for university student dormitories based on the Delphi method

Student dormitories play a pivotal role in the daily lives of university students in China, significantly influencing their academic, residential, and developmental experiences. However, there is a lack of a standardized framework to evaluate the service quality of these dormitories. This study aimed to develop a customized service quality evaluation index system specifically for Chinese university dormitories. The Delphi method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) were employed, involving 15 experts from Chinese universities. Two rounds of expert deliberation were conducted, starting with 28 initial indicators. The expert consultations resulted in the identification of six primary and 23 secondary indicators that form the service quality evaluation system. This framework is tailored to the specific needs of Chinese university dormitories and provides a solid technical foundation for future evaluations. It is expected to contribute to the improvement of dormitory management practices across China.

Effects of adverse childhood experiences on university students' ability to lead healthy lives: an exploratory qualitative study in Lahore, Pakistan.

Adverse Childhood Experiences are a significant global public health concern as these experiences have adverse effects on all the health determinants. The interpretive phenomenological research design was used to explore the implications of adverse childhood experiences on the adult life of university students. An interpretive thematic analysis method was employed to analyze this study. Five major themes emerged after a comprehensive review of the information obtained from the interviews with the ten selected participants. These were (1) Chronic health struggles (2) Mental health disorders (3) Emotional and social difficulties (4) Paranoia and distrust and (5) Academic and professional under-performance. This study concludes that adverse childhood experiences have long-lasting negative effects on university students' health and behaviour, preventing them from leading healthy lives and excelling academically and professionally.

The role of anxiety in the association between nutrition literacy and health-related quality of life among college students.

The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of college students is not promising and needs to be improved through effective interventions. This study aimed to investigate the associations of nutrition literacy (NL) with HRQOL and anxiety among college students, and to identify the role of anxiety in the relationship between NL and HRQOL. The cross-sectional survey was conducted via the "Wenjuanxing" platform from September to November 2023. The Food and Nutrition Literacy Questionnaire (FNLQ), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) diagnostic tool and the SF-12 scale were used to assess NL, anxiety, and HRQOL, respectively. Logistic regression models, mediation analysis, additive and multiplicative interaction analyses were used. 2066 college students participated in the analysis. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that college students with higher NL had higher HRQOL (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 2.09-3.03, p < 0.001) and a lower risk of anxiety (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.39-0.73, p < 0.001). Additionally, anxious college students had lower HRQOL (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.11-0.24, p < 0.001). Furthermore, mediation analysis confirmed that anxiety was a partial mediator of the relationship between NL and HRQOL (β = 0.600, 95% CI: 0.406-0.779/0.430-0.818). Significant additive interactions were found between NL and Anxiety (RERI = 6.96, 95% CI: 2.74-11.17; AP = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.37-0.64; SI = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.58-3.07). Higher levels of NL are associated with better HRQOL and lower anxiety among college students. Additionally, anxiety partially mediated the relationship between NL and HRQOL. Furthermore, there is a synergy between NL and anxiety.

The association between physical activity and anxiety in college students: parallel mediation of life satisfaction and self-efficacy.

To explore the functions that physical activity (PA), life satisfaction, and self-efficacy have in the process of coping with anxiety among Chinese college students, and to explore the mediating role of life satisfaction and self-efficacy in this process. Participants were 358 college students (186 males, 172 females, mean age 20.88, SD = ±1.80). Psychosocial tests including the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), College Student Life Satisfaction Scale (CSLSS), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) were completed. Correlations between variables were calculated using Pearson's test. The mediation model was tested using the SPSS 26.0 PROCESS macro and regression bootstrap. Physical activity showed a negative correlation with anxiety (β = -0.1617, p < 0.001., life satisfaction and self-efficacy played a role in the relationship between physical activity and anxiety. More importantly, physical activity was associated with anxiety through parallel mediating effects of life satisfaction and self-efficacy, with a total mediating effect of 55.34%. By increasing college students' participation in physical activity, it helps to promote the growth of their life satisfaction and self-efficacy, which is the key to reducing anxiety and promoting college students' mental health.

Outdoor Exercise In Relation To Depression, Anxiety, Stress, And Quality Of Life In College Students

Outdoor Exercise In Relation To Depression, Anxiety, Stress, And Quality Of Life In College Students

Relationships Among Habitual Exercise, Emotion Regulation, And Quality Of Life In College Students With ADHD

Relationships Among Habitual Exercise, Emotion Regulation, And Quality Of Life In College Students With ADHD

Effects Of A 13-week Yoga Class On University Student's Flexibility, Body Image, And Life Satisfaction

Effects Of A 13-week Yoga Class On University Student's Flexibility, Body Image, And Life Satisfaction

관계외상을 경험한 대학생의 외상 후 삶에 대한 현상학적 연구

The purpose of this study is to analyze how the lives of college students have been impacted after undergoing interpersonal trauma. For this study, in-depth interviews were conducted on 7 college students above the age of 18 who had undergone continuous interpersonal trauma from early childhood. Van Manen’s hermeneutical phenomenology method was applied in order to focus on the essence of the vivid experiences and to convey the incidents as they are. This topic of interpersonal trauma was chosen after carefully reading and reflecting on the transcribed text multiple times and also referring to other works of art. As a result of this reading and reflecting, 30 sub-topics and 7 main themes were derived. The main themes include &lt;My parents are not like real parents&gt;, &lt;Uncontrollable rage&gt;, &lt;I am pitiful because I’m withdrawn and insecure&gt;, &lt;I cannot trust people&gt;, &lt;I am alone in the world&gt;, &lt;Put a lot of effort into maintaining relationships&gt;, &lt;Trying to become a different ‘me’ from before&gt;. These themes were a series of processes in which participants partook in order to protect and restore their relationships because they had a ‘desire for recovery’, where they wanted to escape from pain and become whole again. By understanding the meaning of these students’experience, it is meaningful to provide basic data to prepare a plan to more professionally help students who have experienced interpersonal trauma, and suggest ideas for further research.

“It’s not a matter of choice”: the intersectional and systemic nature of college food insecurity

ABSTRACT This study investigated college food insecurity as a systemic health communication and public health issue and examined how college students’ unique intersecting identities relate to their experiences of college food insecurity. Phenomenological interviews were conducted with 22 students who self-identified as being food-insecure. Results from a thematic analysis yielded three themes directly related to intersectionality and college food insecurity being a systemic issue: (a) Identity’s Influence on College Food Insecurity, (b) College Student Identity as a Marginalizing Identity, and (c) Institutional Responsibility. These themes explain how micro-level identities and the macro-level power structure of higher education function together in sustaining college food insecurity as a systemic issue. By researching college food insecurity as a systemic issue and placing food-insecure student voices at the center, this study is a steppingstone to one day eradicating a public health epidemic that is negatively affecting the lives of many college students.

Exploring the Quality of Life of University Students in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Survey Using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) Assessment.

To comprehensively assess the quality of life (QoL) of Egyptian university students. Cross-sectional online study. Online settings of university students from August to October 2023. University students aged 18-25 from various institutions in Egypt. Physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.0. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to detect significant associations while Spearman correlation was used for correlation analysis. A total of 1930 Egyptian university students were included. Students showed outperformance in the psychological health and social relationships domains, with medians of 58 ± 20.8 and 58 ± 25, respectively, compared to physical health with a median of 46 ± 17.8 and environmental health with a median score of 16.6 ± 21.9. Non-medical students reported higher QoL scores, particularly in physical, psychological, and social domains, compared to their medical counterparts (P-values <0.001, 0.007, and 0.002, respectively). No significant differences were observed between genders in any of the domains. Academic performance satisfaction significantly correlated with higher QoL scores across all domains (P < 0.001). This multi-center study sheds light on diverse aspects influencing QoL of Egyptian university students. The findings underscore the importance of addressing academic stressors, promoting health behaviors, and tailoring interventions based on students' academic backgrounds with larger and more representative samples.

Communicating a comeback: a startup founder’s response to anonymous employee feedback

Research methodology This case study is based on primary data collected through interviews with the company’s founder and CEO. It also includes secondary data collected through the Glassdoor job search and career community site. The names of the company and the employees have been disguised. However, the figures included accurately represent the primary data and the quotes are directly from the company representative. Case overview/synopsis When it was founded in 2009, employees were excited about the prospect of working at Wombat alongside its founder and CEO Dan Wallace. They had looked forward to making a difference in the lives of college students with the company’s higher ed-focused digital communication platform. But by 2022, Wallace could not ignore the significant change in these employees’ attitudes. Anonymous feedback pointed to employees’ commitment to Wombat having wavered, and employees’ reception of post-COVID organizational changes had become concerningly critical. Though he knew enough to be concerned, Wallace felt unsure of how to move forward based on the anonymous feedback alone. He was left wondering: how should Wombat communicate with employees to boost their attitudes and strengthen their commitment while making the hard decisions that best serve the company? Complexity academic level This case study is appropriate for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in organizational communication courses. It can constitute the employee communication module in a class that surveys strategic managerial communication, or it could be used as one of many examples in a course specifically focused on the internal communication component of the discipline. Students will need an understanding of communication theory, specifically interpretive organizational communication theory, to grasp the complexities of the case. While the focus company is in the educational technology industry, the themes presented are faced by companies of all sizes in all sectors.

The effectiveness of an exergame intervention for college students with subthreshold depression: protocol for a mixed methods study.

Subthreshold depression (StD) is a condition that significantly influences the mental health and quality of life of college students and increases the risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD). Exercise therapy has been found to be effective, but may not be enjoyable for everyone. exergames, as a form of exercise therapy, address the limitations of traditional exercise by incorporating gaming elements to make physical activity more entertaining and interactive. Currently, the Nintendo Switch is one of the most widely used exergame devices. To explore the effectiveness of a Nintendo Switch-based exergame intervention on college students with StD compared to a control group, and to analyze their perceptions of the program. This study will employ an explanatory sequential design, starting with a quantitative evaluation using a randomized controlled trial (RCT), followed by a supplementary qualitative study. College students identified as having StD will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio into the exergame intervention group (EIG) or the control group (CG). College students in the EIG will participate in a Nintendo Switch-based exergame program for 8 weeks, with 2-3 sessions per week, lasting 50-60 min each. Participant outcomes in both conditions will be assessed at pre-intervention (T0, week 0), post-intervention (T1, week 8), 1 month after the intervention (T2, week 12), and 2 months after the intervention (T3, week 16), and a generalized linear mixed model will be used for analysis. In the qualitative part of this study, interviews will be conducted with college students with StD from the EIG at T1 to explore their experiences of receiving the intervention, and content analysis will be applied to the data collected. Nintendo provides a user-friendly platform for college students with StD to engage in electronic gaming. Limited research has explored the mental health outcomes of interventions using this type of technology in young people with StD. If the exergame program proves to be effective, it could offer a convenient and feasible intervention for further enhancing the psychological well-being of college students. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (number: ChiCTR2300068970) on 2nd March 2023.

Emotional Intelligence in Physical Education in College Students Living in Urban and Rural Areas

Descriptive and inferential statistics (t test) were used to make sense of the obtained data(Mean, Standard Deviation, etc.). Gender seems to have a significant role in the development of bothemotional maturity and a will to succeed, as shown by these findings. There was no discernibledifference in sportsmanship between city and rural dwellers. The extent to which a person is self-aware,socially adept, and able to regulate their own and others' emotional responses, as well as apply thisknowledge to their own decision-making and that of their teams, may be indicators of their emotionalintelligence. The author provides a critical evaluation of the present status of the mixed and abilitymodels of emotional intelligence before shifting focus to the link between EQ and openness to newexperiences.

A study of the effects of four reading styles on college students' mental health and quality of life based on positive psychology-A first-of-its-kind study.

The increase in mental health problems among college students has become a global challenge, with anxiety and depression in particular becoming increasingly prevalent. Positive psychology has gained attention as an important psychological intervention that emphasizes improving mental health by promoting positive emotions and mindfulness. However, with the diversity of reading styles, however, there is a lack of systematic research on these effects. Therefore, this study aims to explore the specific effects of different reading styles on college students' mental health and quality of life based on positive psychology, with the aim of providing more effective interventions and recommendations for improving college students' mental health. This study used a two-round questionnaire to select students with mental health problems and divided them into four experimental groups with a control group. The study was conducted by distributing questionnaires and experimental interventions, and a total of 2860 valid questionnaires were collected. The study used the Self-Assessment Scale for Anxiety (SAS) and the Self-Depression Scale (SDS) to assess the participants' anxiety and depression levels. In addition, the study used the Physical Composite Score (PCS) and the Mental Composite Score (MCS) to assess the participants' quality of life. SPSS 26.0 was used for data statistics and repeated measures ANOVA was used. Paper text reading and audio reading methods were effective in reducing anxiety levels and improving sleep quality. However, the electronic text reading approach was less effective compared to paper text reading and audio reading, and the video reading approach was not effective in improving depression. In addition, the positive psychology literature reading intervention showed significant improvements in college students' quality of life scores. The results of this study suggest that paper text reading and audio reading modalities have a positive impact on the mental health and quality of life of college students, while e-text reading and video reading modalities are less effective. These findings provide suggestions for college students to choose appropriate reading styles and further demonstrate the effectiveness of positive psychology reading on mental health. These results have important academic and practical implications for promoting mental health and improving quality of life among college students.

The relationship of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, parental education, financial hardship and comorbid mental disorders with quality of life in college students with anxiety, depression or eating disorders

BackgroundPrevious studies showed that comorbidity and demographic factors added to burden on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Only one study explored the relationship between HRQoL and comorbidity in college students with mental disorders, leaving generalizability of findings uncertain. Less is known about the association of demographics on HRQoL. This study investigated HRQoL based on demographics and comorbidity among college students with mental disorders. MethodsParticipants were students (N = 5535) across 26 U.S. colleges and universities who met criteria for depression, generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or eating disorders based on self-report measures. ANOVA and linear regressions were conducted. ResultsOverall, female, minoritized (gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity), and lower socioeconomic status students reported lower HRQoL than male, heterosexual, White, non-Hispanic, and higher socioeconomic status peers. After accounting for comorbidity, differences in physical HRQoL based on sex assigned at birth and gender were no longer significant. For mental HRQoL, only gender and sexual orientation remained significant. A greater number of comorbidities was associated with lower HRQoL regardless of demographic group. LimitationsThe non-experimental design limits causal inference. The study focused on univariable associations without examining potential interactions between demographic factors. Future research should explore structural factors like discrimination. ConclusionResults suggested that increased comorbidities placed an additional burden on HRQoL and that certain demographic groups were more vulnerable to HRQoL impairment among students with mental disorders. Findings suggest the need for prevention of disorders and their comorbidity and implementing tailored interventions for specific student subgroups with increased vulnerability.

Effectiveness of a guided digital self-help intervention to improve sleep and the biological clock in university students – Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundSleep problems occur in many university students which affects their mental health and daily functioning. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been proven effective in adults but research in university students, who struggle to maintain a 24-hour rhythm, is still limited. We hypothesize that a guided digital CBT-I intervention, enriched with components on the biological clock (‘i-Sleep & BioClock’) will be effective in reducing insomnia severity and improving mental health outcomes for students with sleep problems. ObjectivesWe aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a guided online sleep and biological clock self-help intervention in improving sleep, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, functioning, academic performance, and quality of life in university students at 6 weeks and 18 weeks. MethodsThis is a two-arm parallel-group superiority randomized controlled trial, comparing a 5-week guided online ‘i-Sleep & BioClock’ intervention to online psychoeducation (PE). We aim to include 192 university students (Bachelor, Master, and PhD) with at least subthreshold insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index ≥10), aged ≥16, who can speak Dutch or English. We are excluding students with current risk for suicide or night shifts. The primary outcome is insomnia severity. Secondary outcomes include sleep estimates (sleep and light exposure diary), depression, anxiety, functioning, quality of life, and academic performance. The effectiveness of the intervention compared to online PE will be evaluated using linear mixed models. DiscussionThe current study tests the effectiveness of an online self-help intervention for university students who suffer from sleep problems. This trial builds upon an open feasibility study and will provide evidence of an online guided self-help program for students. The findings of this study will determine the potential wider dissemination of the intervention to address the high need for available and accessible help for students experiencing insomnia. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.Gov (NCT06023693), registered on August 3rd, 2023.