Sample Of Female College Students Research Articles

Pursuing beauty: socio-cultural and labor-economic determinants of cosmetic surgery consideration among female college students in China.

Cosmetic surgery has a profound impact on health and other aspects. As a means of enhancing physical attractiveness, it is increasingly being considered by female college students in China. However, current knowledge about the determinants of cosmetic surgery consideration among Chinese female college students still needs to be improved due to the lack of systematic perspectives and large-scale representative data sets. This study aimed to contribute to the literature in these two aspects. We framed cosmetic surgery consideration as a function of two broad sets of determinants: socio-cultural and labor-economic. We used data from a large, nationally representative sample of female college students in China (N = 6658, mean age = 20.3years). In terms of socio-cultural oriented factors, we found that family socioeconomic status, peers' cosmetic surgery practices, and media exposure were positively associated with the likelihood of considering cosmetic surgery. In terms of labor-economic oriented factors, we found that self-rated physical appearance, higher grades, and expected income after graduation were positively associated with a higher likelihood of considering cosmetic surgery. These findings suggest that the decision-making process for cosmetic surgery among Chinese female college students goes beyond personal factors and is significantly influenced by structural factors.

Smartphone Addiction and its Relation to Social Phobia in Female University Students

Abstract Background As smartphones become more accessible and more psychologically gratifying, problematic smartphone use has emerged with negative mental health consequences, especially in young adults with poor social skills and self -confidence issues. The current study aims to assess the rate of occurrence of smartphone addiction and to highlight the relationship between smartphone addiction and social phobia and its severity in a sample of female university students. Subjects and Methods This is a cross-sectional study including 540 female students in the first medical school year divided equally among practical and theoretical faculties after excluding students with psychiatric disorders except for those with social phobia using the SCID-I scale. Subjects were assessed with the Social Phobia Inventory and the Smartphone Addiction Scale for severity of both social phobia and smartphone addiction respectively. Results Out of 540 female students, 28.7% have severe smartphone addiction with higher number in students of academic faculties, also, 71.86% of the whole sample have social phobia with 22.78%, 21.85%, 16.3%, and 10.93% reporting mild, moderate, severe, and very severe social phobia scores respectively. The number of students having very severe social phobia scores in the academic group is higher than that in the practical group. Also the study shows a statistically significant relation between smartphone addiction and social phobia. Conclusion There is a high rate of distribution of social phobia in young adult females, which is accompanied with a high rate of occurrence of smartphone addiction, so, there is a need for raising the public awareness regarding hazards of problematic smartphone use especially in students and the for highlighting the importance of screening of different psychiatric disorders, as social phobia in such population.

Female College Students' Perceptions on the Internet Use for Reproductive Health Information

ABSTRACTThis study aims to explore the factors related to young women's Internet use for reproductive health information, specifically focusing on female college students. The research model is based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A convenience sample of female college students who have recently used the Internet for reproductive health information will participate in an online survey. The survey will collect demographic information, background details on Internet use for reproductive health, and perceptions of reproductive health behaviors. Data analysis will examine correlations among the perceptions and their association with the intention to continue using the Internet for reproductive health information. The findings will contribute to understanding female college students' influential factors and information behaviors, informing the development of educational programs, intervention strategies, and online resources to improve reproductive health outcomes and empower young women.

Depression, Self-Injury, and Suicidal Ideation: An Examination of the Risk Factors and Psychosocial Correlates Among Female College Students

ABSTRACT This research examines psychosocial risk factors of depression, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and suicidal ideation among a sample of female college students. Data were collected from a random sample of 732 female college students attending a Midwestern public university. Logistic regression was used to investigate various risk factors of depression, NSSI, and suicidal ideation, including respondent demographic characteristics, mental health, sexual victimization, substance use, and sexual orientation. The results illustrate the co-occurring nature of these outcomes. Factors associated with significantly higher likelihood of depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts include low self-esteem, substance use, prior sexual victimization, and non-heterosexual orientation. The current study informs both our theoretical understanding of the etiology of these problem behaviors among college women and how to best develop and implement effective prevention and intervention programming.

Exploring the Role of Cultural Capital, ICT Skills, and Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy in Shaping Entrepreneurial Intention among Women

The present study aimed to examine the impact of cultural capital on the entrepreneurial intention of female college students in India, with the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the moderating influence of ICT skills. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to analyze the data collected from a sample of female college students using AMOS and SPSS version 23. The results indicated a positive relationship between cultural capital and entrepreneurial intention, with entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a mediator. Additionally, the study found that ICT skills positively influenced cultural capital and entrepreneurial intention via the mediation of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The findings of this study have practical implications for policymakers, educators, and practitioners in promoting entrepreneurship among female students. Furthermore, the study has theoretical implications in extending our understanding of the role of cultural capital, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and ICT skills in shaping entrepreneurial intention among women.

Menstrual cycle-driven vs noncyclical daily changes in sexual desire.

Past research on the association between sexual desire and the menstrual cycle has provided inconclusive results and has not considered the potential influence of psychological and physical changes that are frequently associated with the menstrual cycle. To test the strength of association between the menstrual cycle (and associated symptoms) and changes in sexual desire. Prospective daily reports across 2 full menstrual cycles (2 months) from a sample of female university students (n = 213), were analysed. Analyses tested for average effects of the menstrual cycle on sexual desire, individual differences in these effects, and cyclical and noncyclical associations between sexual desire and the 9 menstrual cycle-related changes. Note that data presented in the current article come from a larger study from which other reports have been published. Target variables were (1) daily change in sexual desire and (2) daily reports of 5 psychological changes and 4 physical changes that are commonly associated with the menstrual cycle. Results showed that when considering average effects across participants, the menstrual cycle was associated with a small midcycle increase in sexual desire. However, multilevel analyses showed large individual differences in how the menstrual cycle influences sexual desire. Specifically, some participants showed a midcycle increase, others a perimenstrual increase, and others no change across the menstrual cycle. Moreover, results demonstrated that psychological changes were more important for predicting sexual desire as compared with physical changes. These results suggest that daily measurement of sexual desire across multiple menstrual cycles may be an important tool in the assessment of sexual desire among some females. Strengths of this study are the daily assessment of sexual desire and all symptoms for 2 menstrual cycles and multilevel analyses that allow the study of individual differences. Limitations include limited measurement of sexual desire based on only 2 questions and the lack of measures of relationship status and sexual orientation. Emphasis is placed on the need to apply more rigorous research methods and to abandon simplistic average-effects models that are based on outdated theories and stereotypes.

Associations between Dietary Intake of Vitamin D, Sun Exposure, and Generalized Anxiety among College Women.

Vitamin D insufficiency impacts about half of the population worldwide. Almost one billion individuals across all ages and ethnicities suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Hypovitaminosis D is mainly related to lifestyle choices and habits, such as outdoor activities and food intake. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between vitamin D status and anxiety symptoms. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between anxiety and factors including age, vitamin D deficiency, citizens, dietary and supplementary vitamin D intake, along with sun exposure, among a sample of female college students in the United Arab Emirates. A descriptive questionnaire, including a short version of the generalized anxiety disorder scale, food frequency questionnaire, and sun avoidance inventory, was used to assess the relationship between the dietary intake of vitamin D-rich foods and supplements, along with sun avoidance/exposure and generalized anxiety, among a total of 386 female participants aged 18 and above. The findings showed clear evidence that sun avoidance behaviors are strongly associated with an elevated risk of generalized anxiety disorder among adult females in the United Arab Emirates.

Relationship of young women's body appreciation with eating disorders and psychological variables

Introduction: Obesity, body image and eating disorders are particularly common among adolescent girls and young women. While negative body image is the major focus of research, it is also important from the aspect of prevention to explore the factors that influence positive attitudes towards our bodies and body appreciation. Objective: Our aim was to analyze the determinants of body appreciation in young women, including different types of eating disorders, physical activity, body mass index, various psychological characteristics, and whether there is a family history of eating disorders or obesity. Method: Participants were a sample of female university students (n = 262; mean age: 22.0 ± 2.2 years). Data were collected via an online questionnaire. Body appreciation was measured using the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2), supplemented by the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), and the “Internalization – General” subscale of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3) to measure psychological characteristics. Results: Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that self-esteem has the strongest relationship with young women’s body appreciation; sporting and optimism are also significant but to a lesser extent, while body mass index and dieting are negative predictors. Likewise, a strong susceptibility to the internalization of media content is also detrimental to body appreciation. Oral control, which can be found among the symptoms of anorexia nervosa, is a mild positive predictor of body appreciation. Conclusion: Our data highlight the importance of body appreciation in the treatment and prevention of body image and eating disorders. There is a great need for fostering positive body image and body appreciation, as the lack of acceptance of our bodies and the extreme adherence towards an overemphasized skinny body ideal can easily lead to pathological dieting.

Phthalate exposure among U.S. college-aged women: Biomonitoring in an undergraduate student cohort (2016-2017) and trends from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2016).

ImportancePhthalates are ubiquitous and many are known or suspected human reproductive and endocrine-disrupting toxicants. A data gap exists in reporting on biomonitoring of phthalate biomarkers in college-aged adults.ObjectiveTo analyze phthalate exposure in a cross-sectional sample of female college students using urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and compare to reference populations including college-aged women sampled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsNine monoester phthalate metabolites were analyzed in spot urine collected from 215 female undergraduates (age 18–22, 2016–2017) at a public university in Charleston, SC USA and a subset of participants completed a questionnaire detailing demographics and behaviors including personal care and cosmetic product use (e.g. in the past 6 or 24 hrs). Urine specific gravity was used to assess effect of urine dilution. Phthalate metabolite concentrations were compared to reference populations and the temporal trends of the same age-group in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed.ResultsTotal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in individuals ranged three orders of magnitude (geometric mean 56.6 ng/mL, IQR 26.6–114 ng/mL). A third of urine samples had relatively high urine specific gravity levels indicating potential dehydration status. All geometric mean concentrations were similar to the U.S. female population in the most recent NHANES cycle (2015–2016) except for MEP and mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP). Relatively low MEP and MiBP may be explained by a time trend of declining MEP in the general U.S. population, the sociocultural character of this cohort, and the time of day of spot sampling in evening. NHANES data indicate a significant effect of sample timing on phthalate metabolite concentrations and decline in most, but not all, phthalate metabolites sampled in women aged 18–22 years over the decade (2005–2016).SignificanceThis study reports phthalate metabolites in college-aged women, an understudied group, emphasizes the benefit of survey information for interpreting biomonitoring data, and is a useful case study for communicating phthalate chemical exposure risks to college students.

Parent-Child Communication, Relationship Quality, and Female Young Adult Children’s Well-Being in U.S. and Finland

Parent-child communication and parent-child relationship quality could influence young adult children’s well-being. Further, the associations between parent-child communication and relationship quality and young adult children’s well-being could differ in various cultural environments. In this study, we examined the associations among these constructs and potential cultural differences with two large samples of female college students from the U.S. ( N = 393) and Finland ( N = 264). Several major findings from structural equation modeling were revealed. For the U.S. sample, better parent-child communication, but not relationship quality, was related to female young adults’ better well-being (i.e., lower levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms and higher levels of life satisfaction). For the Finnish sample, however, better parent-child relationship quality, but not communication, was related to fewer problems in female young adults’ well-being. Further model comparisons suggested that the association between parent-child communication and well-being was much stronger among American female young adult children whereas the association between parent-child relationship quality and well-being was much stronger among Finnish female young adult children. In addition, parental divorce was negatively associated with parent-child communication and parent-child relationship quality. Other covariates included young adult children’s age, living arrangements, and family income. The models revealed similar patterns for mothers and fathers. Cultural implications were discussed.

Preliminary Evaluation of the Moving Rubber Foot Illusion in a Sample of Female University Students.

The Rubber Foot Illusion (RFI) is an illusion in which one is made to feel that a model foot is their own through synchronous visuo-tactile stimulation. Previous research suggests that the conditions the RFI can be elicited under are similar to those of the Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI). However, it was unknown if the RFI could be elicited by synchronous movement of a participant's foot and a model foot. To examine this, we developed the Moving Rubber Foot Illusion (mRFI) and compared participants' experience of it to the RFI. The results of this study suggests that the RFI can be elicited through synchronous movement, and results in more proprioceptive drift than a static variant of the RFI. More work is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the mRFI.

Relationship between demographic factors, health education, breast cancer-related knowledge, attitudes, and breast self-examination behavior among Chinese female college student: A structural equation analysis.

This study aimed to create a structural equation model to evaluate the associations among demographic factors, health education, breast cancer-related knowledge, attitudes, and breast self-examination behavior among Chinese female college students. A survey was undertaken using a self-administered questionnaire and targeting 2233 students from Eastern China. Structural equation modeling with the bootstrap approach was utilized to estimate the interrelationships and the strength of the associations among measured variables based on the hypothetical model. Among the total participants, 14.7% of the female college students reported having performed breast self-examination. The final structural equation model showed highly satisfactory fitness on indices. Breast self-examination behavior was significantly linked to demographic factors, breast cancer related-knowledge, attitudes, and health education. Health education had the greatest influence on breast self-examination behavior. In addition, breast cancer related-knowledge was significantly associated with demographic factors and health education. Health education and knowledge all significantly affected attitudes towards breast cancer. Breast self-examination behavior was influenced by demographic factors, breast cancer related-knowledge, attitudes towards breast cancer, and health education in a sample of female college students in China. Health education was the most important predictor of breast self-examination behavior.

Drinking to Fit in: The Effects of Drinking Motives and Self-Esteem on Alcohol Use among Female College Students

Objective: Over the past two decades, rates of alcohol use among female students have risen to meet or even surpass those seen among males. Yet, little is known about factors that play a role in the relationship between drinking motives and alcohol consumption for female college students. The present study examines self-esteem as a moderator in the association between categories of drinking motives and alcohol use in a sample of female college students. Method: Participants included 196 female undergraduates who reported drinking alcohol at least once in the preceding month (Mage = 19.5 years, 88.8% White) at a northeastern public university. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing self-esteem, drinking motives, and past month alcohol use. Results: Self-esteem was significantly negatively correlated with coping (r=-.40, p<.001) and conformity motives (r=-.22, p=.002) but not enhancement or social motives. Main effects predicting alcohol use were detected for enhancement (b = 1.49, p<.001), coping (b = 1.73, p<.001), and social motives (b = 1.34, p<.001), but not conformity motives or self-esteem. The interaction of conformity motives and self-esteem was significant (b=-0.17, p=.04). Simple slopes analyses revealed that conformity motives were significantly positively related to alcohol consumption for at low (b = 1.53, p=.001), but not high levels (b=-0.39, p=.61) of self-esteem. No other interactions were significant. Conclusions: Assisting female college students with increasing their self-esteem may be an effective component of intervention programs targeting alcohol consumption, particularly among those who report drinking to fit in.

دلالات الصدق والثبات لمقياس قلق الطالب على عينة من طلبة الجامعات في المملکة العربية السعودية

هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى إعداد صورة عربية لمقياس قلق الطالب الذي أعده عصمان وکواتيرز وداونز(Osman, Gutierrez and Downs, 2001 ) والتحقق من دلالات صدقه وثباته. ولتحقيق ذلک تم تطبيق الصورة المعربة من المقياس على عينة مکونة من (1105) طالبا وطالبة اختيروا بالطريقة العشوائية من مختلف الکليات الإنسانية والعلمية في جامعة الملک عبدالعزيز بالمملکة العربية السعودية في العام 2019-2020م. وأظهرت النتائج تمتع المقياس بدلالات صدق مرتفعة وذلک من خلال إيجاد الصدق بدلالة المحک التلازمي بين مقياس قلق الطالب بصورته المعربة ومقياس سبيلبيرجر للقلق بوصفة حالة وسمة وبلغ معامل ارتباط بيرسون (0.713)، وکذلک من خلال حساب صدق البناء (Construct Validity) بإيجاد معامل ارتباط النقطي بيرسون بين الأداة على الفقرات والدرجة الکلية على المقياس وتراوحت معاملات الارتباط ما بين (0.42-0.72) والفقرات والمجال الذي تنتمي وتراوحت معاملات الارتباط ما بين (0.42-0.72) وجميعها ذات دلالة احصائية عند مستوى الدلالة (0.05=α). وبينت نتائج التحليل العاملي وجود عامل واحد يفسر الأداء على المقياس حيث بلغت قيمة الجذر الکامن (0.180) وفسر هذا العامل ما مقداره (0.056) من التباين الکلي للأداء على المقياس. وأسفرت النتائج عن تمتع المقياس بمعاملات ثبات عالية حيث حسب معامل ثبات الاتساق الداخلي بطريقة ألفا کرونباخ وبلغ معامل الثبات للأداة ککل (0.93) ومجالات الأداة تراوحت بين معاملات (0.60- 0.70). Validity and Reliability Properties of Student General Anxiety Scale among a Sample of Female University Students in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abstract The aim of the study was to develop an Arab version of the Student General Anxiety Scale prepared by Osman, Gutierrez and Downs (2001) and to examine its validity and reliability properties. To achieve the aim of the study, the Arab version developed scale was administrated to a sample of (1105) male and female students selected randomly from the different humanitarian and scientific faculties at King Abdul Azziz University, KSA in the academic year 2019/2020. The results of the study showed that the scale reported high validity properties using convergent validity with Spilperger State and Trait Anxiety Scale (r=0.713). Calculating construct validity by finding correlation coefficients between the items and the total scale, correlation coefficient were between (r=0.42) and (r=0.72), while the correlation coefficients between the items and the individual domains ranged between ((r=0.42) and (r=0.72), which are all significant at the significance level (0.05=α). Factor analysis results indicated the Arab version of the Student General Anxiety Scale is one-dimensional containing one factor able to account for performance on the scale as eigenvalues of the scale was (0.180), accounting for (0.056) of the total variance on the scale. As for reliability properties, it was found that the scale reported high reliability using internal consistency (Cronbach alpha), as reliability coefficient for the total scale was (0.93), while these ranged between (0.60) and (0.70) for the individual domains of the scale.

Pathway Linking Different Types of Childhood Trauma to Somatic Symptoms in a Subclinical Sample of Female College Students: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance.

Research has shown that women are more prone to childhood trauma and this state is associated with somatic symptoms. Also, people who have been exposed to traumatic experiences use experiential avoidance to reduce negative emotions. However, the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between childhood trauma and somatic symptoms is not clear, so, the present study investigated whether the relationships among different types of childhood trauma and somatic symptoms could be explained by experiential avoidance in female college students. In a cross-sectional study, 251 Iranian female college students with somatic symptoms were recruited from the University of Tabriz. Participants completed self-report scales, including the Persian version of Child Abuse Self-Reported Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and the Patient-health questionnaire (PHQ-15). A path analysis was used to empirically explore the relationships. Structural equation modeling analyses confirmed a partial mediation model. Study participants who had a higher level of emotional trauma reported higher levels of somatic symptoms. Emotional and neglect trauma showed significant positive relations with experiential avoidance. Bootstrapping results showed that experiential avoidance partially mediated the relationship between emotional trauma and somatic symptoms. Moreover, the association between neglect and somatic symptoms was fully mediated by experiential avoidance. These findings suggest that experiential avoidance might be one mechanism explaining how adverse emotional and neglect experiences influence somatic symptoms. Interventions addressing experiential avoidance through methods such as emotion-focused therapy and mindfulness are discussed as potential future directions for treating somatic symptoms in females who experienced emotional and neglect trauma.

Overlapping neurocognitive inefficiencies associated with higher disordered eating psychopathology in college women

Prior research has supported associations between neurocognitive inefficiencies, including set-shifting and central coherence, and disordered eating psychopathology (DEP). Findings from one study suggest a more severe anorexia nervosa presentation for those with overlapping inefficiencies. To our knowledge, there are no empirical reports of overlapping inefficiencies and DEP in non-clinical, at-risk populations. DEP is prevalent among college women and is linked to impaired functioning; thus, this group represents a prime population to target. The current study investigated how level of self-reported DEP may differ according to neurocognitive profile in a sample of female college students. Participants (N = 144) completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) as well as computerized versions of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Navon task. Median splits were used to categorize the participants into inefficiency groups according to their performance on both neurocognitive tasks. Results supported our hypothesis that those with overlapping inefficiencies would have higher levels of DEP than those with no inefficiencies. However, the overlapping inefficiency group did not differ significantly from the standalone set-shifting or central coherence inefficiency groups. Findings provide preliminary evidence that college women who demonstrate both cognitive inflexibility and a detail-oriented processing style may be prone to heightened DEP. Additional studies that control for potential confounds, use comprehensive neurocognitive batteries, utilize longitudinal designs, and recruit larger and more diverse samples are needed. Replication of this research could inform development of screening and early intervention efforts for college women who may be susceptible to DEP.

Participation in varsity sports, dance, and Greek life associated with menstrual disturbance in a national sample of female college students

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify university-sponsored activities associated with increased odds of menstrual disturbance among female college students. Participants: The sample included 3,277 female-identifying students at 12 colleges and universities participating in the Healthy Bodies Study during the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 academic years. Methods: Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were run to report odds of any menstrual disturbance and amenorrhea (AMN) for participants in sports, dance, and Greek Life. Survey weights were used to account for response bias. Results: In the adjusted models, participation in varsity sport (OR = 1.82, CI 1.37, 2.37), dance (OR = 1.68, CI 1.37, 2.05) and Greek life (OR= 2.12, CI 0.13,0.18) was significantly associated with increased odds of menstrual disturbance, compared to non-participants. Conclusions: Findings suggest additional need for prevention and intervention programming against menstrual disturbance in varsity sports, dance, and Greek life activities.

Impact of Birth Control Use on Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Female College Students

Abstract Objectives Research suggests birth control (BC) use alters blood lipids in women. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in metabolic syndrome risk between birth control users vs. nonusers in a sample of female college students, 18–24 years old. Methods Data were collected between 2005–18 from the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey, an ongoing, cross-sectional study conducted at a midsized, northeastern university. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical measures were obtained in the fasted state and used to determine metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence. BC use was self-reported. Proportional differences between BC vs. non-BC users of MetS and individual MetS components were evaluated via chi-square tests. Results Forty-five % of the final sample (n = 6456) reported using BC. MetS (≥3 MetS criteria) was present in 3.9% of students; 16.7% of students had ≥ 2 MetS criteria. BC users vs. nonusers were more likely to have at-risk triglyceride levels (22.4 vs. 11.0%, P &amp;lt; .001) but less likely to have at-risk HDL levels (21.2 vs. 27.7%, P &amp;lt; .001) and abdominal obesity (14.3% vs. 16.4, P &amp;lt; .05). No significant differences were observed in prevalence of elevated blood pressure or glucose between BC users vs. nonusers. Overall, MetS prevalence did not differ between groups (3.8 vs. 3.9%, P = .85). Conclusions Our findings suggest BC use is common and impacts different MetS criteria in college females. College health providers and nutrition educators can utilize research findings to tailor information for female students at risk for MetS and chronic disease. Funding Sources New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1,010,738.

Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A variation between female varsity athletes and nonathletes.

Exercise can lead to changes in immune function. To further investigate this relationship, we examined possible differences in salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) secretion rates among female college athletes and nonathlete students. We predicted that athletes would have higher sIgA secretion rates than nonathletes and show greater declines in sIgA during the study period as intensive exercise training continued. We recruited 52 female participants aged 18-22 years (13 swimmers, 20 runners, and 19 nonathletes). We collected two saliva samples from each participant: baseline and a second sample 2 weeks later. Additionally, participants reported minutes of cardiovascular activity performed per week and completed a survey that included a modified Profile of Mood States and the Undergraduate Stress Questionnaire. We found no significant differences in mean salivary sIgA secretion rates between athletes and nonathletes. Salivary sIgA significantly increased between sample collections for both groups, with nonathletes exhibiting a greater increase in sIgA than athletes. Cardiovascular activity was not associated with sIgA secretion rates. Illness status was a significant positive predictor of sIgA secretion rates. Cardiovascular activity did not predict salivary sIgA secretion rates in this sample of female college students, and athletes did not show significantly different sIgA secretion rates than nonathletes. Together, these findings suggest that exercise may not be associated with altered immune function in well-nourished college-aged women. The increase in secretion rates among both athletes and nonathletes suggests that additional factors shared by both groups may have led to increases.

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Mindfulness as Determinants of Anxiety and Depression in Female Students.

Bearing in mind the characteristics of an academic setting, as well as the developmental tasks young people inevitably face, there is a need to identify and study the factors that play an important role in the development and maintenance of psychological distress among college students. One factor that has emerged as crucial for the development of both anxiety and depression is the intolerance of uncertainty. On the other hand, there appears to be mounting evidence that mindfulness is an important factor that can be beneficial for the psychological health of college students. Taking this into consideration, the purpose of the current study was to determine the contribution of the intolerance of uncertainty and mindfulness in explaining the symptoms of depression and anxiety in a sample of female college students (n = 282) whose average age was 21. The results indicated that students had moderate levels of anxiety and depression. Additionally, they were, on average, intolerant of uncertainty and mindfulness. Two hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the intolerance of uncertainty and mindfulness significantly predict both anxiety and depression in female students, and that mindfulness partially mediates the relationship between the intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety/depression. The results are discussed in the light of previous studies, and its clinical implications.