Grit and its relation to well-being among first-year South African university students

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-231
Author(s):  
Henry D. Mason
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year

scholarly journals Needs Analysis of Psychosocial Module Development Based on Psychoeducation Approach for Public University Students in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 604
Author(s):  
Salleh Amat ◽  
Harizah Izyan Samsudin ◽  
Abu Yazid Abu Bakar ◽  
Mohd Izwan Mahmud ◽  
Mohd Hasrul Kamarulzaman
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public University ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Module Development

This study is a needs analysis that aims to develop a psychosocial module based on a psychoeducation approach in order to strengthen the assertiveness, social skills, and psychological well-being of public university students in Malaysia. The specific objectives of this study were to identify the perceptions of university students on the need to design and build a psychosocial module, identify the constructs that should be included in the phase of designing and building of the psychosocial module as well as the support that has been received and the support that the students desire while on campus. This survey study utilized a questionnaire distributed to a total of 286 first year students studying at three public universities in Malaysia. The data obtained were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study showed a highly positive response from the students toward the development of a psychosocial module and the constructs listed in the questionnaire. Implications from this study can further solidify the constructs that should be included in the design and construction of the psychosocial module as well as identify the availability of the approaches, strategies, and support activities that have been received and desired by the students.

scholarly journals The Role of Psychological Strengths, Coping Strategies and Well-Being in the Prediction of Academic Engagement and Burnout in First-Year University Students [El papel de las fortalezas psicológicas, las estrategias de Afrontamiento y el bienestar en la predicción del engagement y del burnout académico, en estudiantes universitarios de primer curso]

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Merhi ◽  
Ángeles Sánchez-Elvira Paniagua ◽  
Francisco José Palací Descals
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Academic Engagement ◽  
Academic Motivation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Personal Strengths ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Psychological Strengths

Two of the most significant challenges that higher education institutions are currently addressing are students' failure and drop-out prevention, as well as the promotion of students’ retention and success. The present study aimed at analysing the role that different variables play in the prediction of Academic Engagement and Burnout in first-year university students, under a multivariate perspective. The contribution of relevant psychological strengths in academic environments (Resilience, Personal initiative, and Academic Motivation), Procrastination and different coping strategies facing studies (Persistence, Avoidance and Anxiety) was explored. Also, the perception of academic demands and stress, students' affect (positive and negative) and the academic satisfaction was considered. Finally, an analysis of different engaged and burnt-out profiles of students was carried out. The contribution of the Efficacy subscale of Academic Burnout as an independent personal resource, and the consideration of the so-called Core Burnout, were subject of analysis. A sample of 172 first-year students of face-to-face universities, 68.8% women with a mean age of 22.99 years (SD = 7.62) volunteered to participate online in this study. The results showed, on the one hand, that Academic Engagement consisted mainly on a positive and intrinsic motivational construct, also characterised by academic efficacy, persistence as an active coping strategy, positive affect and satisfaction. On the other hand Core Burnout was mainly characterised by the perception of higher demands (e.g. academic overload), maladaptive learning behaviours and coping strategies such as procrastination and avoidance of difficulties, negative affect and dissatisfaction. Different profiles of engaged and burnt-out students were also analysed showing strong differences regarding personal strengths, coping with learning strategies, well-being and satisfaction with studies.These results could help us to set bases for the development of early support and prevention programs for students’ Burnout, as well as actions aiming at promoting students’ Engagement and well-being during their first academic year.

scholarly journals Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Is Associated With Increased Meningococcal Carriage Acquisition Among First-year Students in 2 South African Universities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Meiring ◽  
Cheryl Cohen ◽  
Linda de Gouveia ◽  
Mignon du Plessis ◽  
Karistha Ganesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
University Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Relative Risk Ratio ◽  
First Year ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
South African Universities ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Carriage Prevalence

Abstract Background Invasive meningococcal disease clusters occur among university students and may reflect higher carriage prevalence among this population. We aimed to measure meningococcal carriage prevalence, acquisition, and risk factors among first-year university students in South Africa. Methods In summer–autumn 2017, after consenting to participate, we collected oropharyngeal swabs and questionnaires on carriage risk factors and tested students for HIV at 2 universities, during registration week (survey 1) and 6–8 weeks later (survey 2). Meningococci were detected by culture and polymerase chain reaction. Results We enrolled 2120 students at registration. Mean age was 18.5 years, 59% (1252/2120) were female and 0.8% (16/1984) had HIV. Seventy-eight percent of students returned for survey 2 (1655/2120). Among the cohort, carriage prevalence was 4.7% (77/1655) at registration, increasing to 7.9% (130/1655) at survey 2: 5.0% (83) acquired new carriage, 2.8% (47) had persistent carriage, 1.8% (30) cleared the initial carriage, and 90.3% (1495) remained carriage free. At both surveys, nongenogroupable meningococci predominated, followed by genogroups Y, B, W, and C. On multinomial analysis, risk factors for carriage acquisition included attending nightclubs (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1–4.0), having intimate kissing partners (aRRR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–2.9) and HIV (aRRR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.1–24.4). Conclusions Meningococcal carriage among first-year university students increased after 2 months. Sociobehavioral risk factors were associated with increased carriage for all analyses. HIV was associated with carriage acquisition. Until vaccination programs become mandatory in South African universities, data suggest that students with HIV could benefit most from meningococcal vaccination.

Psychological engagement of university students

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Timms ◽  
Tracey Fishman ◽  
Alexander Godineau ◽  
Jamie Granger ◽  
Tariro Sibanda
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Course Experience Questionnaire ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Psychological Engagement ◽  
Course Experience ◽  
Course Material

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship of undergraduate university students’ course experience (learning community (LC), clear goals and standards, student support, study-family affect (SF affect) and autonomy) to their well-being, as measured by psychological engagement (dedication, absorption and vigour) and burnout (exhaustion and disengagement/cynicism). Design/methodology/approach First-year psychology students (n=128) were surveyed using previously validated measures of their well-being and experiences at university. Findings Belonging to a LC (where students were encouraged to develop fluidity with the subject matter and share insights) was positively related to students’ psychological engagement. By contrast, the provision of ready access to course materials did not predict student engagement. Knowledge of goals and standards predicted that students would find course work energising (vigour). Respondents reported that SF affect (where participation at university enhances family life) was related to their engagement at university. In addition, mature age students (over the age of 25 years) reported higher levels of engagement in their study than did younger students. Research limitations/implications The dominant predictor of student well-being (LC) was redolent of two important psychological human needs (affiliation and mastery). The central nature of this variable to student well-being is therefore currently undifferentiated and calls for the application of more finely tuned instruments to predict student well-being. Originality/value The current research applied measures from the widely validated Course Experience Questionnaire (Ramsden, 1991) as predictors of students’ psychological engagement and burnout. It highlights the value of personal relationships and community in university students’ mastery of difficult course material.

Measuring, monitoring and managing the psychological well-being of first year university students

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Cooke ◽  
Bridgette M. Bewick ◽  
Michael Barkham ◽  
Margaret Bradley ◽  
Kerry Audin
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
First Year University

scholarly journals The information legislation (PAIA, POPI, RICA) awareness of undergraduate university students: A longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Arthur
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
South African ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
First Year ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Undergraduate University Students ◽  
Data Collection Instrument

Background: Governmental legislation directs and guides the manner in which organisations and individuals manage their information. This has a direct impact on the development of organsiational policy and procedures. An individual’s awareness of such legislation is of utmost importance in order to understand how individuals use information.Objective: The research problem is focussed on the awareness of information legislation by average South African first year student. The study goes on to further investigate how awareness impacts the manner in which users apply the knowledge to everyday use of their personal information.Methods: The study utilised a mono-method and quantitative methodological framework. The data collection instrument was a survey in the form of a questionnaire. The survey was conducted amongst 2017 undergraduate student and repeated in 2018.Results: The young adult demographic, of which the sample of undergraduate university students, findings indicated that the increase in awareness of Protection of Personal Information, Promotion of Access to Information and Regulation of Interception of Communication Act legislative acts directly impacted the students’ ability to manage and share their information more strategically. Students’ knowledge of the acceptance of the acts into legislation was not of great importance; however, the use of the acts concerning their personal information proved to be of greater significance.Conclusion: The study’s findings confirmed that the sample had been introduced to the idea of information legislation and that their awareness of the legislation does in most cases affect their use and management of their personal information. It also revealed that an in-depth knowledge of the legislation was not a necessity rather an overall understanding of the legislation was important. Recommendations for future studies arose from the study.

scholarly journals Music Listening as a Strategy for Managing COVID-19 Stress in First-Year University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianna Vidas ◽  
Joel L. Larwood ◽  
Nicole L. Nelson ◽  
Genevieve A. Dingle
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
First Year ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Coping With Stress

The COVID-19 pandemic brought rapid changes to travel, learning environments, work conditions, and social support, which caused stress for many University students. Research with young people has revealed music listening to be among their most effective strategies for coping with stress. As such, this survey of 402 first-year Australian University students (73.9% female, Mage = 19.6; 75% domestic and 25% international) examined the effectiveness of music listening during COVID-19 compared with other stress management strategies, whether music listening for stress management was related to well-being, and whether differences emerged between domestic and international students. We also asked participants to nominate a song that helped them to cope with COVID-19 stress and analyzed its features. Music listening was among the most effective stress coping strategies, and was as effective as exercise, sleep, and changing location. Effectiveness of music listening as a coping strategy was related to better well-being but not to level of COVID-19 related stress. Although international students experienced higher levels of COVID-19 stress than domestic students, well-being was comparable in the two cohorts. Nominated songs tended to be negative in valence and moderate in energy. No correlations were found between any self-report measure and the valence and energy of nominated coping songs. These findings suggest that although domestic and international students experienced different levels of stress resulting from COVID-19, music listening remained an effective strategy for both cohorts, regardless of the type of music they used for coping.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document