University Students Research Articles

Sexual Assertiveness of University Students in Germany: The Role of Sources and Topics in Sexuality Education

Sexual assertiveness – the ability to express and act on sexual desires – is crucial for sexual health, linked to greater sexual satisfaction and reduced risk of sexual violence. However, little is known about the role of sexuality education for individual differences in sexual assertiveness. This study examined self-reported sexual assertiveness of 199 German university students (ages 18–25). It aimed to: (1) investigate the association between the amount of sexuality education information and sexual assertiveness, (2) explore the role of various educational sources (schools, caregivers, peers, Internet), (3) as well as sexual-risk topics and sex-positive topics, and (4) examine the interaction between educational sources and topics. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that while receiving more sexuality education information generally correlated with higher sexual assertiveness, this link may be largely driven by peer-provided information and self-estimated knowledge about sex-positive topics. Furthermore, the positive link between information received from peers and sexual assertiveness was weaker among students with more self-estimated knowledge about sexual-risk topics, while there were no other interactions between educational sources and self-estimated knowledge about sex-positive topics. These findings underscore the importance of peer-based information and knowledge about sex-positive topics in understanding sexual assertiveness. Implications are discussed.

A higher global diet quality score is associated with lower risk of obesity among male university students in Lebanon: a pilot study

ObjectiveThis pilot study aims to assess the diet quality amongst Lebanese male university students using the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS), identify its association with obesity, and determine the key drivers of consumption of foods associated with higher NCDs risk.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sampling approach, comprising 385 male students aged between 18 and 24 years at the American University of Beirut. Dietary data was collected using 24-h recall, where participants detailed all foods and beverages consumed in the past 24 h, including portion sizes. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle factors and drivers of food consumption data were also collected. GDQS scores were categorized as high (≥23), moderate (15–23), or low (< 15) indicating low, moderate and high NCD risk, respectively. A multiple logistic regression was applied to assess association of GDQS with sociodemographic and anthropometric variables.ResultsThe results showed that the majority of male university students had low (47%) or moderate (47%) GDQS scores, with only a small proportion (4%) showing high scores. Foods contributing to low GDQS scores were determined, with taste emerging as the primary factor influencing food group consumption. Additionally, individuals in health-related majors and higher academic year of study had higher GDQS scores, and those with higher GDQS scores had a lower risk of obesity. The study findings suggest that a high proportion of the study sample are at a higher risk of NCDs given their dietary quality, demonstrated an association between low GDQS scores and obesity risk, and identified education as a predictor of diet quality.ConclusionThis study calls for larger studies assessing dietary habits and quality amongst Lebanese university students to provide context-specific evidence for the development of targeted interventions aimed at the promotion of healthier eating habits in this population group and curbing the NCDs epidemic in the country.

Resilience, Stress, and Mental Health Among University Students: A Test of the Resilience Portfolio Model.

In recent years, post-secondary students' mental health has become an important public health concern. However, studies examining protective factors of mental health among students and during challenging times are limited. Guided by the strength-based Resilience Portfolio Model and following a group of undergraduates (N=1004) throughout the 2020/2021 academic year, this study examined multiple domains of resilience internal assets and external resources and simultaneously tested multiple protective mechanisms for student mental health using structural equation modelling. Results provided support for insulating effects: both internal assets such as emotion regulation and external recourses such as social network supportiveness and cultural fit in university (i.e., perceived congruity between students' personal and cultural selves and their university environment) were associated with reducing academic stress which in turn promoted student mental health at the end of the academic year. There was also support for additive effects: greater cultural fit in university was also directly related to better end-of-year student mental health. As cultural fit in university was associated both directly and indirectly with student mental health, creating an inclusive university community may help reduce student academic stress, lower student psychological distress and improve student subjective well-being.

A framework to nurturing digital entrepreneurs: Demystifying critical factors that influence tech-driven business behavior

Technology and the internet have altered business activities by enabling organizations to reach customers, develop markets, enhance profitability, and raise brand awareness. With 167 million social media users, Indonesia’s internet economy provides numerous entrepreneurial possibilities; however, just 0.43% of entrepreneurs are technology-based. This demonstrates the need for digital entrepreneurship education and effective social media use, particularly among tech-savvy college students. The present study aims to examine the effects of social media utilization, digital entrepreneurship education, and attitude toward digital business on the technology-based entrepreneurial behavior of Indonesian university students, using the frameworks of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and the theory of planned behavior. This study employs quantitative research using a non-probability sampling method with a judgmental technique, focusing on 391 university students engaged in entrepreneurial activities using social media. The study employed SmartPLS to analyze the research data. The results indicate that social influence, work and performance expectations, and attitude toward digital entrepreneurship positively influence the use of social media for technology-based entrepreneurial activities. Moreover, the paper unveiled that the provision of digital entrepreneurship education and the utilization of social media for commercial purposes had a beneficial influence on behavior that is predisposed toward technology. The present study demonstrates that the adoption of social media functions as a mediator in the association between digital entrepreneurship education and the adoption of social media, therefore exerting an impact on technology-based entrepreneurial behavior. AcknowledgmentsThe research team would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia for providing funding for the research program based on Decree number 0667/E5/AL.04/2024 with university internal decree number: 0038-RD-LPPM-UMN/P-HD/VI/2024, and Universitas Multimedia Nusantara for supporting the implementation of this investigation.

A Survey on the Use and Acceptability of Smartphones for Nursing Education in Nigeria

Background: The global exponential increase in technology has resulted in smartphones being used for learning in low resource settings. Objectives: To investigate the use and acceptability of smartphones in nursing education in Nigeria. Design and Setting: Cross sectional descriptive survey design. Five nursing education institutions in Southwest Nigeria were included in the study. Participants: Nursing students in the setting were included (N = 1388), with a sample of 462 (university students: n = 354; college students: n = 108), allowing for an attrition rate of 10%. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire with two valid and reliable scales was used to measure use, acceptance, perceived ease of use and usefulness, attitudes, and challenges of using smartphones for educational purposes. Results: In the 451 respondents (97.6% response rate), the mean age was 21.31 (standard deviation [SD] = 3.59) years; most were female (389, 86.3%). Smartphones were common (422, 94.2%) and most (367, 81.4%) reported using their smartphone daily for educational purposes. High levels of smartphone acceptance with high ratings for perceived usefulness (M = 3.38, SD = 0.44), ease of use (M = 3.10, SD = 0.56) were reported with mixed attitudes (M = 2.75, SD = 0.35). Most of the respondents (428, 94.9%) found it useful for learning, but suitability of mobile content, unstable Internet, and data costs were barriers. Conclusion: Smartphones have emerged as unintended grassroots academic tools for learning in low resource settings, but challenges remain in terms of the appropriateness of educational learning material and costs.

Understanding university students' experiences of sitting while studying at home: A qualitative study.

University students are typically highly sedentary, which is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Attempts to understand university students' sedentary behaviour have typically focused on on-campus teaching and learning activities. While such research has documented that students perceive studying as one of the main barriers to reducing sedentary behaviour, there is little understanding of how and why studying incurs sitting, especially during home-based studying. We investigated how students' experience sitting when studying at home. Fourteen UK undergraduates (10 female; mean age = 20 years) participated in semi-structured interviews that explored their experiences, beliefs, and attitudes regarding sitting while studying at home. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Four themes were constructed, focusing on knowledge and attitudes towards sitting, prioritisation of study tasks, sitting as an integral part of the study environment, and sitting as part of the optimal mental 'zone'. Whilst participants demonstrated awareness of the potential health risks associated with prolonged sitting they prioritised productivity when studying at home and believed that interrupting their sitting would compromise productivity, making home-based studying particularly conducive to sedentary behaviour. These findings suggest that intervention designers should more explicitly consider the home environment when aiming to reduce student sedentary behaviour and should seek to reduce sitting in a way that promotes, or at least does not interfere with, productivity.

Evaluating a Treatment Package to Increase Aerobic Activity in University Students

Evaluating a Treatment Package to Increase Aerobic Activity in University Students

Determinant Factors of Entrepreneurial Culture in University Students: An Analysis from the Theory of Planned Behavior at a Peruvian University

This study analyzed the influence of attitude toward innovation and creativity, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and institutional support in the consolidation of an entrepreneurial culture among Peruvian university students, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the theoretical framework. Data were collected from 948 students through a validated 29-item questionnaire, and the data analysis was conducted using the PLS-SEM method. The results showed that both attitude toward innovation and entrepreneurial self-efficacy have a significant positive impact on entrepreneurial culture, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy acted as a partial mediator in this relationship. However, external resources and institutional support were not significant mediators between entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial culture. This study expands the understanding of TPB in the Peruvian context, highlighting the importance of fostering self-efficacy and an innovative attitude in students to strengthen entrepreneurial culture in universities. Educational institutions should consider these key factors when designing programs that promote entrepreneurship.

Improving the image of the state civil service for young people using the example of executive authorities of the Kursk region

The relevance of this research topic is due to the fact that the state civil service in executive authorities is the most important institution of modern society, ensuring the effective functioning of the state apparatus and the implementation of state policy. Attracting young talented specialists to the civil service is a key factor in increasing its efficiency and prestige. However, at present there are a number of problems arising from the current evolution, including low wages, lack of career prospects, and a negative image of civil servants of executive authorities in society.The purpose is develop a roadmap to improve the image of the state civil service of the executive authorities of the Kursk region for young people. Objectives: conduct a survey among current young civil servants of the executive authorities of the Kursk region and students of universities of the Kursk region, process the results obtained, develop a roadmap that includes measures aimed at ensuring a decent level of wages, developing a training program, attracting youth organizations, modern marketing and communications, increasing transparency and openness.Methodology. The methodological basis of the work was an interdisciplinary approach combining elements of sociology, psychology and marketing. Conducting sociological surveys among young people and current young civil servants of the executive authorities of the Kursk region. The following research methods were used: questionnaires, interviews, analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization.Results. During the study, a survey was conducted among current young civil servants of the executive authorities of the Kursk region and students of universities of the Kursk region, the results were processed, and a roadmap was developed to improve the image of the state civil service of the executive authorities of the Kursk region for young people.Conclusion. Improving the image of the state civil service of the executive authorities of the Kursk region for young people is a key factor in attracting young talented specialists to the civil service and increasing its efficiency. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to implement a set of measures aimed at ensuring a decent level of wages, developing a training program, attracting youth organizations, modern marketing and communications, increasing transparency and openness. Only a systematic approach to solving this problem will increase the prestige of the civil service and attract the best personnel from among young people.

Behavioral Intentions and Academic Outcomes of Using Social Media in Nepalese Higher Education

The purpose of this study was to close the knowledge gaps about how college students’ use of social media impacts their capacity for cooperation and communication. To gather data, 250 university students were given a questionnaire survey on constructivism theory, technology acceptance model, and communication theory. Even though male students were not entirely satisfied with peer contact for collaborative learning, the behavioral intention results of students to use social media for online communication and collaborative learning reveal a beneficial effect on their academic efforts in higher education institutions. As a result, we need to have urged students to use social media for learning through their instructors at universities. Master’s degree students are less in agreement with the performance improvements made by social media. According to the study, social media and cooperative learning enhance student learning activities and enable them to exchange ideas, information, and expertise.

Latent profiles of burnout and engagement in working students across work and educational contexts

ABSTRACT Combining work and higher education is becoming a standard part of young people’s lives. The challenges of balancing vocational and educational commitments make young people more susceptible to stress and burnout. However, vocational and educational contexts can also stimulate professional development and evoke engagement. This study follows a person-centred approach to exploring the latent profiles of work- and study-related burnout and engagement in a sample of working university students in Germany (N = 236). The study further explores how work and study demands contribute to burnout and engagement profiles. Latent profile analysis indicates a two-profile solution of young people who show (1) high levels of burnout and low levels of engagement in both work and study contexts, or (2) low levels of burnout and high levels of engagement in both contexts. Neither work nor study demands contribute to the formation of these profiles. The results suggest that burnout and engagement are not context-specific but occur cross-contextually across work and study contexts. These findings highlight the necessity of addressing the potential mental health risks faced by young people who combine work and higher education in a cross-contextual manner and call for action from educators and employers to instigate protective measures.

Analysis of grammatical errors in English speaking of Thai EFL Students

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the instances of grammar mistakes in the spoken English of Thai EFL university students. The research objectives were to compare the errors committed in lexical and sentence structure and their frequencies. The participants comprised 43 first-year English for Business Communication students learning General Listening and Speaking courses at the Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University. The data was gathered through recorded impromptu speeches on randomly assigned topics. The recordings were transcribed and then the data was analyzed using the Surface Strategy Taxonomy. The findings showed that there were 158 grammatical mistakes in total, and they are based on four main categories. Misformation errors were most prevalent, accounting for 69.62% of all errors, with subject-verb agreement (25.32%) and verb form (17.72%) errors being particularly common. Additional errors constituted 15.82%, omission errors 13.29%, and misordering errors 1.27% of the total. The most frequent subcategories were subject-verb agreement errors (25.32%), verb form misformation (17.72%), and tense misformation (12.66%). These results indicate that Thai EFL learners have considerable difficulties in utilizing appropriate grammatical structures in spoken English, and particularly verbs and agreements. The high frequency of misformation errors points to the fact that more focused instruction on problematic structures need to be addressed in lessons in contexts that convey meaningful communication. As such, it provides findings that could help plan specific instructional strategies and curriculum design for enhancing Thai students' spoken English proficiency.

Unveiling task value and self-regulated language learning strategies among Japanese learners of English

Abstract The present study explored different types of task value and their associations with the use of self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies across various English as a foreign language (EFL) learning scenarios. The application of SRL strategies is supported by motivational beliefs, including task value. Although prior research has demonstrated the importance of motivational beliefs in SRL, there remains a need for further clarification regarding the characteristics and role of task value, particularly the cost (i.e., a negative aspect of task value) in relation to SRL. Furthermore, given the context-dependent nature of SRL, both values and strategies should be adapted to specific learning environments. In this study, 12 Japanese EFL university students participated in two rounds of semi-structured interviews. The first session focused on their English learning experiences, expectations, and perceptions of the value and cost associated with learning English. In the second session, they roleplayed four scenarios — a homework assignment, an in-class task, preparation for an English certification exam, and learning for personal growth — while using a think-aloud protocol to express their thoughts and feelings. Follow-up interviews were conducted after each roleplay. Thematic analysis was used to identify the participants’ values and costs and to analyze their use of SRL strategies. The findings revealed that participants concurrently hold multiple types of task value, which were tied to and shaped by their past learning experiences. Several patterns were also identified for SRL strategies in each scenario, corresponding to task value.

Requirements for a Basic Student Course in Robotics and Human–Robot Interaction—A User-Centered Approach

Due to an increasing number of robots in the working world, the interaction between humans and robots will become more and more frequent. Hence, the research field of human–robot collaboration is becoming progressively relevant and should therefore be included in students’ education as early as possible. This paper deals with the requirements of a basic course for university students of interdisciplinary studies like Engineering Psychology or Human Factors. The goal of the course is to provide an adequate training for the students in order to gain a technical basis to design human–robot collaboration in a user-centered way in their future working life. Following a user-centered approach a narrative description and analysis of the context of use with contextual interviews were conducted. Overall, 12 subjects of the identified user groups (1) students studying Engineering Psychology, (2) students with knowledge in robotics and (3) graduates of the Engineering Psychology program participated in the contextual interviews. With these interviews, 47 user and stakeholder needs and 39 user requirements were derived. Based on the results, relevant content of a basic student course was defined, structured and prioritized. The requirements and demands are summarized in a recommendation for action and further steps are presented.

Undergraduate university students mentoring program: experiences of mentors and mentees

IntroductionResearch on the impact of mentoring on students and mentors is limited. Therefore, this study explored the experiences of mentors and mentees involved in a mentoring program for undergraduate students at a governmental academic institution in Saudi Arabia. The program connected undergraduate students with peer students, academic staff, or alumni based on their needs.MethodsUsing an online survey (n = 80) and a focus group (n = 24), we examined mentees and mentors' perceptions of their mentoring experiences. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants' responses to the survey. The focus group data were analyzed using six phases of thematic analysis.Results and discussionThe findings showed that the participants' mentoring experience was positive, with some challenges, such as limited time, unmet expectations of mentees, and a lack of student engagement. The motivation to volunteer as a mentor focused mainly on wanting to help others and appreciating the value of mentoring based on the mentors' previous experiences.

Smartphone addiction: Neck functional disability and quality of life among undergraduate university students

ABSTRACT Background: Smartphone usage is on an increasing rise among undergraduate students worldwide owing to their portability and usability. Although beneficial in many ways, excessive use places degenerative strain on the user’s skeletal system while also reducing their quality of life (QOL). This study investigated the relationships between smartphone addiction, neck functionality, and QOL among undergraduate students. Methods: A descriptive research design was adopted. Four hundred and four smartphone using undergraduates from a Ghanaian university (207 females, 197 males; mean age = 21.23 ± 1.769 years, who spent a mean of 8.13 ± 5.21 h on their smartphones daily) were recruited. The Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS), and assessment of QOL (AQoL) were used to assess smartphone addiction, functional levels of the neck, and QOL, respectively. Results: Among participants, 79.95% had a high degree of smartphone addiction. 99.26% scored above the normal range (≥20) on the CNFDS. There was a significant positive correlation between participants’ SAS and CNFDS scores (P = 0.038) and SAS and AQoL scores (P = 0.001), while CNFDS and AQoL (P = 0.885) were negatively correlated. Conclusion: Smartphone addiction is associated with neck disability among undergraduate students and negatively affects their QOL. Increasing awareness can alter how people perceive addiction. Further studies are required to understand the causes of smartphone addiction because the study also revealed that the participants were addicted to their phones.

Vicarious Experiences with Police Violence: Examining Psychosocial Factors that Predict Black Individuals’ Negative Affect and Intentions to Engage in Collective Action

In the present study, we examined whether willingness to participate in collective action and feelings of negative affect in response to the police killing of a Black man can be explained by individual differences in racial identity, identification with the shooting victim, and feeling personally threatened by the shooting incident. Participants ( N = 328 Black university students) completed online questionnaires after reading one of two non-fictional vignettes of a fatal police shooting of a Black American. Three components of racial identity were assessed (racial centrality, private regard, and public regard). Results indicated that all three racial identity variables predicted negative affect through a sequence of greater identification with the shooting victim and concerns about personal threat. When predicting collective action, however, only racial centrality predicted the outcome via these sequential mediators. Implications for research and theory on vicarious racism and the need for mental health resources in communities are discussed.

Taking up Space and Making Demands: Portland State University Students Construct the Free and Autonomous Refaat Alareer Memorial Library

Taking up Space and Making Demands: Portland State University Students Construct the Free and Autonomous Refaat Alareer Memorial Library

Longitudinal Associations Between TikTok Use, Self-Concept Clarity, and Anxiety Among Chinese Emerging Adults: Exploring Differential Impacts of Active and Passive TikTok Use

Short-form video applications, such as TikTok, have gained significant popularity among emerging adults. We conducted a longitudinal study to gather data at three time points from two universities in South China. A total of 590 university students ( M age = 19.83; SD age = 1.24) completed the questionnaires measuring active and passive TikTok use behaviors at time 1 (T1, April 2022), self-concept clarity at time 2 (T2, October 2022), and anxiety both at Time 1 (T1, April 2022) and at Time 3 (T3, April 2023). The results showed that T1 active TikTok use had a negative correlation with T3 anxiety ( r = −0.23, p < .001), while T1 passive TikTok use had a positive correlation with T3 anxiety ( r = 0.30, p < .001). Both T1 active TikTok use (95% CI [0.03, 0.09]) and T1 passive TikTok use (95% CI [0.07, 0.16]) can predict T3 anxiety indirectly by reducing T2 self-concept clarity. Moreover, even after considering T2 self-concept clarity, the direct impact of T1 active TikTok use on T3 anxiety remained significant (95% CI [−0.24, −0.09]), but the direct effect of T1 passive TikTok use on T3 anxiety was not significant (95% CI [−0.04, 0.12]).

Role modeling and Snack Choices of young adults: The mediating role of meal planning

Objective This study aimed to examine the mediating role of meal planning in the relationship between role modeling and snack choice. Methods and Measures The study was correlational and quantitative in nature. The study selected a sample of 403 university students. We collected data through interviews using a questionnaire. We analyzed the data using SPSS 23.0.0.0 (IBM Corp; 1989, 2015) (Build 1607) and AMOS 23.0.0 (IBM Corp; 1983, 2015) (Build 1607) software for correlational and Confirmatory factor tests. We used the bootstrapping technique to test for the mediation effect of meal planning. Results Meal planning had a full mediation effect between role modeling and snack choice. This means that Role modeling had a significant influence on meal planning, meal planning had a significant influence on snack choice, and role modeling had no significant influence on snack choice. Conclusion when young people admire other people’s eating habits it leads them to plan their meals and choose similar snacks to their role models. Future studies should consider studying the effect that role models’ proximity has on snack choices among young people in other contexts.