Mental Health Support Services Research Articles

‘Let it stay in the heart’: cultural and gendered experiences of distress among Syrian refugees in Jordan

ObjectiveThis study explored cultural and gendered experiences of distress among Syrian refugees in Jordan to inform mental health and psychosocial support services with the population. We sought to understand perceived causes of distress, salient expressions used to describe distress, and ways of coping.MethodsEight focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with adult Syrian refugees (four male, four female). Gender-matched Jordanian qualitative researchers facilitated the FGDs. Transcripts were analyzed in Arabic using thematic analysis and validated through a final review of translated data.ResultsFour key themes were identified related to participants’ experience of distress, perceived causes and consequences, and gender differences (and similarities) in expression and coping. Results also highlighted the complexity of terminology used, and challenges in rank ordering expressions as most salient.ConclusionResults hold implications for adapting mental health and psychosocial interventions with the population to be more gender sensitive and culturally relevant.

The Essential Network (TEN): consulting stakeholders and experts to better understand implementation of a blended care mental health support services for Australian health professionals

ABSTRACT Objective The Essential Network (TEN) is a blended care mental health support service for Australian health professionals. We conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and researchers to understand health professionals’ needs, canvas suggested changes to TEN, and examine methods of improving service uptake. Method Nine semi-structured individual or group interviews were conducted with 10 TEN stakeholders (external stakeholders) and eight interviews were conducted with 18 researchers or related roles with experience implementing or evaluating mental health services for health professionals (internal experts). De-identified transcripts were thematically analysed using an inductive and deductive approach. Results Participants highlighted the need for confidentiality, with mandatory reporting concerns being a key barrier to health professionals engaging with mental health services. External stakeholders viewed digital services as advantageous due to accessibility and anonymity, although both groups noted that concerns around effectiveness were a barrier to engagement with digital services. Both groups agreed that peer endorsement was key to implementation. Conclusions Digital services were viewed as promising, but best employed alongside person-to-person options in a blended care format. Services that address the unique workplace culture of healthcare, including stigma and systemic barriers to help-seeking, can create effective and scalable support for health professionals.

Future Nurses in a Changing Climate: Exploring the Relationship Between Environmental Literacy and Climate Anxiety.

Climate change significantly impacts public health, increasing the prevalence of respiratory, cardiovascular and mental health issues. Nurses, as frontline healthcare providers, need strong environmental literacy to manage these health challenges. This study explores how environmental literacy among nursing students relates to climate anxiety, aiming to improve educational strategies and mental health support for future nurses. Is to investigate how environmental literacy among nursing students affects their levels of climate anxiety. A cross-sectional survey was utilised on a representative sample of 620 nursing students from each academic year. Climate anxiety scale and the environmental literacy scale for adults were used to collect data. Environmental literacy and its components were positively linked to cognitive-emotional and functional impairments and climate anxiety. Gender differences were observed, with females experiencing higher climate anxiety. Increased environmental literacy generally reduced climate anxiety, particularly in females, emphasising gender differences in environmental literacy's impact on climate anxiety. Despite the model's low explanatory power (R2 = 0.026), the findings highlight the importance of gender differences in the relationship between environmental literacy and climate anxiety. Nursing students show promise in their environmental knowledge but face significant climate anxiety. Gender differences in anxiety levels warrant attention. Addressing these concerns is crucial for preparing nurses to effectively address climate change's health effects and ensuring a resilient healthcare system. The study underscores the importance of integrating environmental literacy into nursing education and promoting pro-environmental behaviours among nursing students and professionals. It highlights the crucial role of mental health support services, policy advocacy and ongoing research in addressing climate anxiety and preparing nurses to tackle the health impacts of climate change. No patient or public involvement.

Economic Strain and Recovery Trajectories in Mental Health: The Role of Financial Stability in Mental Health Outcomes

This study explores the intricate relationship between financial stability and recovery from mental health, and clarifies how economic security constitutes an essential feature that enhances mental health results. The study has used SPSS in quantitative analysis for regression analysis, ANOVA, cluster analysis, and structural equation modeling to explore the determinants of influential predictors and patterns in linking financial stability with mental health recovery. The regression outcome showed that financial stability substantially predicts recovery (? = 0.52, p < 0.01), and ANOVA indicated large differences in the scores of recoveries among the financial groups (F = 8.15, p < 0.05). Cluster analysis also indicated a difference such that the average score of recovery for high-stability participants was 8.5, while for low-stability participants it was 4.1. Thus, SEM shows both direct and indirect effects as it manifests that financial stability indeed reduces stress and encourages treatment adherence. The study concludes that economic security indeed plays a multifaceted role ranging from the access of mental healthcare through income support programs to resilience and overall well-being through the promotion of living a financial stability life. Recommendations should include income support programs, financial literacy programs, and integrated financial and mental health support services to form sustainable recovery. Further longitudinal researches, with larger and more diverse samples, should be conducted to study the long-run impact of financial stability on mental health trajectories and tailor policy interventions accordingly.

Anxiety, depression and access to mental health services among internally displaced persons in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveThe study aims to evaluate anxiety and depression levels and access to mental health services among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mogadishu, Somalia.DesignA community-based, cross-sectional survey was carried out in...

How Live Music Can Be Delivered to Children and Young People to Support Their Mental Health and Wellbeing: Co-Produced Solutions and Key Findings from a Series of Intergenerational Multi-Disciplinary Workshops

Background: Children and young people’s (CYP) mental health is a policy priority, with rates of poor mental health reported to be as much as one in five across the UK. Traditional mental health support services cannot meet demand, and new approaches are needed. The creative arts can be an effective tool in supporting mental health. However, little is known about how live music can be used to support CYP mental health and wellbeing. We facilitated three, two-day intergenerational and multi-disciplinary workshops to co-produce ideas about how live music could be delivered to this end. Results: Workshops were held in three locations in Scotland, attended by a mixture of CYP, youth workers, mental health practitioners, teachers, and musicians (n = 91). A range of co-created solutions were generated including a live music festival designed for and with CYP and free gig tickets. Barriers and facilitators for CYP accessing live music were also identified. Furthermore, these workshops were found to increase confidence for musicians in delivering live music events to CYP, and CYP felt their voices were heard in their design of the delivery. Conclusions: This study presents novel co-created solutions about how live music can be delivered to CYP that need to be tried and tested in future research. It also provides key insights for musicians, live music providers, and people supporting CYP about the best approach to delivering live music for CYP.

Exploring Self-Care, Anxiety, Depression, and the Gender Gap in the Software Engineering Pipeline.

Software engineers may experience burnout, which is often caused by the anxieties and stresses of the workplace. Understanding the well-being and resilience practices of software engineers and evaluating their knowledge of mental health is one factor to understand our current, diverse, multi-generational workplaces. Here, we present preliminary results of a study examining the self-care practices of software engineers, a general overview of the state of mental health of software engineers, and correlations between expressions of mental health and demographic factors. Among 224 respondents, positive correlations between imposter syndrome and happiness, anxiety, and depression were identified. We also identified negative correlations between mental health literacy and imposter syndrome, happiness, anxiety, and depression. Well-being had a positive correlation with self-efficacy, as well as with happiness. We also present the Gender Gap in mental health and our findings in relation to that construct. Our findings suggest increasing mental health support services.

Emotional Intelligence in Voice Assistants : Advancing Human-AI Interaction

This article explores the integration of emotional intelligence (EI) into AI voice assistants, examining techniques for emotion recognition from speech, adaptive response generation, and the impact on user experience. It discusses key components including acoustic feature analysis, machine learning approaches, and multimodal systems for emotion detection. The article also addresses ethical considerations such as privacy concerns, potential manipulation, and technical challenges in achieving robust, real-time, and culturally-adaptive EI systems. Applications in mental health support and customer service are examined, highlighting both the potential benefits and necessary precautions. Through a comprehensive review of recent research, this work aims to contribute to the responsible development of emotionally intelligent AI voice assistants that enhance human-AI interaction while prioritizing user well-being.

LGBT Myanmar Migrants in Thailand: Unveiling Diverse Forms of Abuse, Healthy and Unhealthy Coping Strategies

ABSTRACT This study investigates the challenges faced by LGBT Myanmar migrants in Thailand, including discrimination and abuse due to their gender identity or sexual orientation, and their coping strategies. Through qualitative interviews with 20 self-identified LGBT Myanmar migrants aged over 18 years who experienced discrimination or abuse in Thailand, the findings underscore the presence of a segment within the Myanmar LGBT migrant community in Thailand subject to discrimination and violence across diverse settings, including workplaces, public areas, and even within their homes. Additionally, the research identified healthy coping strategies like self-soothing thoughts, relaxation activities, and seeking support, contrasted with unhealthy coping strategies such as negative self-talk, rumination, and suppressing one’s identity, leading to harmful behaviors and even suicidality. The experiences of severe discrimination and violence among LGBT migrants help this study advocate for policy interventions, such as extending the coverage of the Gender Equality Act to encompass LGBT migrants and implementing mental health support services as a form of secondary prevention. Given the significant contribution of LGBT migrants to various sectors of Thailand’s workforce, these measures are essential. However, the existing legislation concerning gender equality in Thailand inadequately addresses the specific concerns of this demographic group.

Mental health status and quality of life among Thai people after the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on individuals’ mental health and well-being worldwide. This study investigated the prevalences of and association between mental health and quality of life (QOL) in Thailand after the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Thai individuals aged ≥ 20 years across all regions. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between mental health and QOL. A total of 1,133 participants (mean age: 35.1 ± 17.2 years) completed the survey. The prevalence of depression with PHQ-9 instrument was 19.4%. Depression was significantly associated with those who have had family members die from COVID-19 infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.13–4.52]). The percentages of depression, anxiety, and stress with DASS-21 instrument were 32.4%, 45.4%, and 24.1%, respectively. Smokers and alcohol consumption had approximately 1.5-time higher risk of stress compared with non-smokers and no alcohol consumption (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI [1.01–2.24], AOR = 1.48, 95% CI [1.09–2.02], respectively). An association was observed between socioeconomic factors such as job and income loss and mental health outcomes. Depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly negatively associated with QOL. This study demonstrates a strong association between mental health and QOL among Thai people after the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings underscore the need for interventions targeting lifestyles, including those addressing alcohol consumption and smoking, especially among those who have had family members die from COVID-19 infection and mental health support services that can address depression, anxiety, and stress to improve the overall well-being of the population.

Educational Objectives and Student Management Methods in International High Schools in China

Much attention has been given to the challenges and complexities of international education in China. However, there are a lot of areas that have not been fully explored, especially regarding achieving the right blend of globalization and traditional education. This paper examines the development of international high school education in China the changes in educational models, the unique features of international curricula, and the effects of recent policy changes. In the study, it is also found that seemingly beneficial attempts at global citizenship and critical thinking provided by international education introduce a high level of stress originating from conflicting academic requirements and inflexible educational frameworks. Considering the results obtained, the following recommendations have been formulated to improve the situation regarding the development of international education in China. These include balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for the students, strengthening their mental health and academic support services, reducing workload for students, and ensuring more time for students. If these challenges are addressed, China can equip students to fit the world that is shifting towards globalization.

Study tours as strategy in building multi-level public health system transformation in Ukraine (UA)

Abstract With 14 million Ukrainians in need of psychological aid (UNDP) and a strained health system, UA urgently requires mental health and psychological support services (MHPSS). As a TA partner on the USAID funded Public Health System Recovery and Resilience project in UA, the Philadelphia (PHL) team supports capacity building for population-based MHPSS at the community level with a study tour strategy. Such approaches apply to other countries interested in remodeling public health systems. The strategy aims to advance community based MHPSS through in person tours in PHL with remote follow up to stimulate vision, exchange ideas and accelerate action among governmental, community, and academic partners. The study tours presented overviews on health policy, system development, program services delivered to children and adults, community interventions, and workforce development of professionals and paraprofessionals. All included the foundational principles of trauma-informed practice. The June 2023 tour hosted 11 decision makers and regional officials who embraced the vision for system development and endorsed further engagement. The December 2023 tour hosted 13 practitioners and coordinators of health and social services to observe community programs. Results include development of PHL NGOs and UA social service hub partnerships to implement train the trainer programs for peers/people with lived experience and for mural arts programs to promote community engagement and empowerment. The September 2024 tour involves university partners from nursing, social work and psychology and PHL counterparts to strengthen curricula to include mental health competencies, support faculty development with potential for collaborative research and student exchange, and design post-graduate continuing education courses for upskilling the incumbent workforce. Study tours and direct exchange are an effective strategy for capacity building for MHPSS in Ukraine to address population health needs. Key messages • The sequenced study tour strategy affects distinct levels of change makers in UA. The results are governmental buy-in, partnerships for programmatic development, and academic advancement. • The study tour model promotes systematic change and offers solutions to MHPSS workforce shortages through information exchange, relationship building, and capacity development.

Loneliness and Social Isolation: qualitative study among youth in vulnerable situations

Abstract Background Loneliness and social isolation are increasing among young people, particularly those in vulnerable NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) situations, potentially leading to poor health and well-being outcomes. We aim to explore these challenges from the perspective of NEET youngsters and link workers who support them in co-creating individual action plans for their social and economic integration. Methods Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 15 young people in NEET situations, aged 18-34, and 7 link workers from several social organisations in rural and urban areas in Portugal. The young participants were selected based on their age, educational level, mental health needs, and urban/rural regions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interviews. Results The results showed a convergence between the perspectives of young people and link workers on the factors that influence social isolation and loneliness, including social and emotional skill deficits, excessive use of social media platforms, and mental health problems. Young people reported to being heavily involved in social media platforms, which often did not translate into meaningful relationships in real life. Youngsters also highlighted the lack of local support and community resources in rural areas. Link workers identified specific challenges young migrants face in community integration, including language barriers (for the youth with a migrant origin) and lack of familiarity with local resources. Conclusions This study highlights social media platforms, mental health and social and emotional skill deficits as main factors contributing to the social isolation and loneliness of young people in a NEET situation. This emphasizes the importance of integrated proximity-based interventions that incorporate community resource mapping and local support networks, including mental health support services, and promote multi-sector collaboration. Key messages • Social media platforms, mental health needs, and social and emotional skill deficits drive social isolation in NEET youth, stressing integrated, community-focused interventions. • Proximity-based strategies with community mapping and mental health support enhance NEET youths’ social integration, urging cross-sector collaboration.

Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults in Latvia and Iceland During COVID-19

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health and wellbeing of older populations across Europe, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and social isolation, known risk factors for poor physical and mental health outcomes. This study aims to understand the extent and implications of these changes in Latvia and Iceland, providing essential insights for targeted public health interventions. Methods This comparative study utilized data from two key sources: the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) for Latvia and the HL20 study for Iceland, focusing on individuals aged 67 and above. Both quantitative surveys were conducted during the pandemic, offering data on health status, loneliness, and social isolation. A novel approach was applied in analyzing older populations to standardize comparisons between the two distinct datasets. This methodological innovation is part of a bilateral EEA initiative FM2021/23 aimed at strengthening research collaboration between Latvia and Iceland. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson Chi-square test were used to compare outcomes between the two countries and within demographic subgroups. Results The study revealed stark differences between the two countries: 80% of Latvian older adults reported social isolation compared to 42.7% in Iceland. Similarly, 45% of Latvians experienced loneliness versus 30% of Icelanders. Significant associations were found between social isolation, loneliness, and deteriorating mental and physical health, with worse outcomes noted in socially isolated individuals. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a clear link between social isolation and adverse health outcomes among the older adults, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study supports the need for proactive public health measures in Latvia and Iceland, including the development of community engagement programs and mental health support services tailored to the needs of older adults. Key messages • Study shows significant health impact of social isolation among older adults in Latvia and Iceland, highlighting urgent need for targeted public health interventions. • Effective public health strategies and innovative digital outreach can mitigate adverse effects of loneliness and isolation observed in older populations.

Changes in health, lifestyle, and wellbeing of children with type 1 diabetes and their parents during the pandemic

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have substantially affected people’s health and rapidly changed their daily routines. This is a prospective study that investigated the impact of the pandemic on primary school children with Type 1 diabetes and their parents during the first lockdown in Kuwait.MethodsA questionnaire battery related to mental health, well-being, and lifestyle was administered at baseline in Summer 2019 (face-to-face, at a diabetes outpatient clinic) and at follow-up during lockdown in Summer 2020 (via telephone, in adherence with COVID-19 restrictions). Data were collected for 70 dyads with children aged 9–12 years.ResultsSignificant differences were found in most scores for both children and parents. Their mental health worsened to a higher level of depression, anxiety, stress, and a poor level of wellbeing. The average scores on the follow-up tests fell within a clinical range on these measures. Significant differences in their lifestyle, compared to before the lockdown, included decreased levels of physical activity and lower healthy core nutritional intake.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that the COVID-19 lockdown has had a significant psychological and possibly physiological impact on children with Type 1 diabetes and their parents. We conclude that there is a need for mental health support services focusing on these groups. Although full lockdown restrictions will have stopped in the past year, post-pandemic stressors may be expected to continue to adversely affect this cohort.

Barriers to seeking counseling among US military service members

AbstractA stigma toward accessing mental health support services exists in military culture. One of the next steps in this line of research is gaining a better understanding of the barriers or reasons behind why service members can be reluctant to seek counseling. We recruited a national sample (N = 516) of service members to test the dimensionality of scores on the Revised Fit, Stigma, and Value (RFSV) Scale for measuring barriers to seeking counseling. Results demonstrated that the meaning of RFSV scores was invariant by help‐seeking history (past attendance in counseling) and by mental health diagnosis. After establishing adequate construct validity evidence of scores, we found that the Value barrier was a significant predictor of one or more peer‐to‐peer referrals to counseling among service members. Additionally, demographic differences in the Value and Stigma barriers emerged by help‐seeking history and active duty status, respectively.

Impact of Academic Progress on the Mental Health of Young People in Nigeria: A Case Study of Undergraduate Students in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Education is important in forging a pathway to economic opportunity and social mobility. It is widely regarded as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of personal and social development. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study employs a quantitative data collection approach. Four hundred individuals were interviewed using semi-structured, interviewer-administered questions through a multi-stage sampling technique. After data analysis with SPSS version 26, a chi-square test statistic was employed to determine whether there was a significant relationship between the categorical variables, with a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: Out of 400 respondents, 211 (52.8%) male and 189 (47.2%) female were questioned. Nearly half of the respondents (49.0%) were between the ages of 19 and 21 years old. According to the survey, most of the respondents (70.0%) asserted that their current academic workload is heavy, while (18.0%) and (9.0%) described their workload as moderate and light, respectively. Additionally, (60.0%) of the respondents rated their overall academic performance as good. However, only (13.0%) acknowledged that academic pressure contributes to stress and anxiety in life and (79.0%) occasionally expressed stress related to academic demands. About (11.8%) and (8.8%) of the respondents reported having been diagnosed with a mental health disorder before and experienced symptoms of depression in the past month respectively. An additional (20.0%) of respondents reported having experienced depression, while (24.5%) and (23.5%) claimed to have experienced anxiety and stress, respectively. Moreover, (11.8%) reported experiencing panic attacks, and (5.3%) mentioned having had suicidal thoughts. More than half of the respondents used to exercise (59.0%) and engaged in hobbies or interests (56.5%) as coping mechanisms for academic stress. Additionally, (45.5%) practiced mindfulness or relaxation techniques, and (25.5%) sought social support to manage their academic stress. About (32.5%) of respondents claimed they were aware of mental health support services available at their institutions, compared to (67.5%) who were unaware of these services. Of those aware, (33.1%) had utilized mental health support services. Additionally, (44.2%) of respondents were satisfied with the mental health support services on campus, while (39.5%) were very satisfied. The study also reveals that there’s no statistically significant association between the age, gender, monthly upkeep of the respondents and utilization of mental health support services. Conclusion: There is a complex connection between academic performance, psychological well-being, and the use of coping strategies and mental health support services among university students. This underscores the importance of addressing students' mental health needs alongside providing academic assistance. Keywords: Mental health, Academic performance, Mental health support services, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Mental health coping mechanisms

A model of community youth mental health support services in the global South: A description and use of school-based services delivered by a non-governmental organisation in South Africa

ObjectiveYoung people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including South Africa, are disproportionately affected by multiple risk factors for developing mental health problems and there are numerous barriers to accessing mental health care. In such contexts non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play a key role in providing support. We report on the mental health care services provided by NGO Community Keepers in South Africa. MethodCommunity Keepers (CK) offers psychosocial support to young people, parents, and teachers, during regular school hours, and free of charge. At the end of 2019, CK was based at 23 schools in 12 areas in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. In this paper we describe the model of service provision and present descriptive statistics from retrospective observational service data using routinely collected quantitative data from 2019, including details about referrals received, referral sources and reasons, and feedback received from children, parents, and teachers on the psychosocial support CK delivered. ResultsDuring 2019, 34 676 individuals accessed 18169 psychosocial support sessions rendered by CK. The most common referral source of learners to CK was self-referrals (40.6%), and the main referral reasons were emotional (psychological) problems, behaviour problems, or family (community) problems. At termination of therapy 320 (79.2%) learners said they strongly agreed that they would recommend CK to someone at their school. At termination of therapy with learners, 95 (39.3%) teachers rated CK’s services as excellent, 139 (57.4%) teachers gave a rating of good, and 204 (79.7%) parents reported an improvement in their relationship with their children. ConclusionsCK is an example of how psychosocial support can be embedded in schools in a LMIC. CK’s multifaceted model of service delivery could be used by other school-based mental health care service providers in other LMICs to inform and/or refine the services that they wish to offer.

Clinical experiences of final-year RN and BSc nursing students during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana: A mixed-methods study

Objective: The study aimed to explore the clinical experiences of final-year RN and BSc nursing students from four selected nursing schools in Guyana during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The study utilized a mixed-methods approach. The sampling involved final-year RN and BSc nursing students. The quantitative design included a survey with a convenient sample of 157 students, and the qualitative approach included seven focus group interviews. The survey data were analyzed using inferential statistics and thematic analysis.Results: The findings revealed the psychological and structural challenges experienced by final-year RN and BSc nursing students during the early months of the pandemic in Guyana. Of the respondents, 82.8% indicated fear of contracting coronavirus, 58% felt depressed, and 56.7% were insecure about daily nursing duties. Structural challenges experienced were that 58% needed PPE readily available, 80.9% felt unsafe in the clinical areas, 71.3% did not receive COVID-19 training, and 70.7% experienced financial burden. Positive responses included 91.7% did not take leave intentionally, and 74.5% felt confident. Thematic analysis yielded categories on stigmatization, fear of contracting, mental stress, shortage of staff and PPE, absence of risk allowance, and disaster planning. Coping strategies indicated were supporting one another, sharing information and resources, and praying, which enabled one to navigate the challenges and highlighted the strength of resilience and teamwork.Conclusions: Final-year nursing students encountered psychological, social, and structural challenges during their clinical placements in the early months of the pandemic outbreak. The findings underscored the need to strengthen material, academic resources, and mental health support services. Future research should focus on the experiences of registered nurses and male nurses during the pandemic. Cultivating an empowered and resilient nursing workforce is imperative to combat future healthcare challenges in Guyana.

Child maltreatment and insomnia symptoms among Chinese university students: the buffering role of self-efficacy.

Insomnia symptoms represent a significant public health concern, as it engenders substantial long-term health consequences. Considerable research has established the detrimental impacts of child maltreatment on sleep problems among university students. However, the role of self-efficacy in the association between childhood maltreatment and insomnia remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations between child maltreatment and insomnia symptoms among university students, and to investigate whether self-efficacy moderated the effects of child maltreatment on insomnia symptoms. A total of 2014 participants with random cluster sampling method were recruited from Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, from October 2022 to November 2022. Adjusting for covariates, the results of multiple logistic regression indicated that the participants with the experience of any type of child maltreatment (odds ratio [OR] 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63-3.07), childhood emotional abuse (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.95-3.41), childhood emotional neglect (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.87-1.54), childhood physical abuse (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.60-2.8), childhood physical neglect (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.64-2.92), childhood sexual abuse (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.46-2.68) were more likely to report insomnia symptoms than those without. Individuals reporting one-two types and three-five types of child maltreatment were 1.81 times (95% CI 1.30-2.52) and 3.77 times (95% CI 2.58-5.50) more likely to report insomnia symptoms than those reporting zero types of child maltreatment, respectively. Furthermore, robust linear regression analysis revealed that self-efficacy moderated the associations between child maltreatment and insomnia symptoms (β = 0.007, 95% CI 0.004-0.010). These findings underscore the need for integrated mental health education, support services, and faculty training to address the impact of child maltreatment on insomnia symptoms among university students. Policy recommendations include advocating for comprehensive mental health services, incorporating self-efficacy initiatives, and fostering community engagement for a holistic approach to student well-being.