The Impact of Grit on Health Outcomes in College Students

Abstract Objectives The objective was to examine the relationship between grit and health outcomes in college undergraduate students. Methods A cross-sectional convenience sample of college undergraduate students completed an online survey assessing Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable Screener, and the 2-item Hager Food Insecurity Screener. Grit was assessed by generating a mean score using the 8-item short grit scale. Independent t-tests were used to compare health outcomes between students who reported above/below the average grit score of the sample. Chi-square tests were used to examine group differences between grit level and prevalence of food insecurity. Results Participants (N = 655) were 19.8 ± 1.5 years old, mostly female (63%), and white (84%). The average grit score was 3.27 ± 0.54 out of 5. Results indicated that students who were grittier than average (n = 372) reported fewer days/months (d/m) with poor mental health (8.1 ± 8.5 vs. 11.6 ± 9.6, P < 0.001), fewer d/m feeling sad/depressed (6.2 ± 7.7 vs. 9.9 ± 9.3, P < 0.001), more d/m with restful sleep (12.9 ± 9.8 vs. 10.3 ± 8.6, P < 0.001), more d/m feeling very healthy and full of energy (12.6 ± 8.8 vs. 8.4 ± 7.5, P < 0.001), and ate more servings of fruits and vegetables per day (2.4 ± 1.3 vs. 2.1 ± 1.32, P < 0.01). Grittier participants were also less likely to report being food insecure (16.0%) vs. less grittier participants (23.3%), P < 0.05. Conclusions This data indicates that students who were grittier than average reported better HRQOL, consumed a more healthful diet, and were more likely to be food secure. This provides justification for future research to explore grit as a mediating factor that may contribute to better health outcomes, especially in populations particularly susceptible to experiencing poor HRQOL and food insecurity. Funding Sources This project was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project number #ME0022104 through the Maine Agricultural & Forest Experiment Station. NJ Agriculture Experiment Station.

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Resilience, pessimism, and depression in undergraduates in Hong Kong during Covid-19: A cross-sectional online survey study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.29117 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Min Yi Sum ◽

Sherry Kit Wa Chan ◽

Gloria Hoi Yan Wong

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Family Conflict ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mediation Analyses ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Adolescence and young adulthood is a period of heightened risk of mental disorders onset. The Covid-19 pandemic may have impacted the daily lives and learning of students, exposing them to risks of emotional distress. Understanding factors associated with individual differences in distress can inform remedial strategies for schools. OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of Covid-19 on undergraduate students’ lifestyle and learning, and explore relationship between depressive symptoms, resilience, and optimism/pessimism bias in undergraduate students in Hong Kong. METHODS Cross-sectional online survey of undergraduate students in a university (n=1020) before and during the third wave of Covid-19 outbreak in Hong Kong between May and August 2020. Changes in habits and family conflicts, depressive symptoms (measured using Patient Health Questionnaire-9), resilience (measured using Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), optimism/pessimism towards Covid-19 risks, and knowledge about Covid-19 were recorded. Multivariable linear regression and mediation analyses were used to explore relationships with depressive symptoms. RESULTS 61.7% of respondents have mild to severe depressive symptoms. The regression model found that 18.5% of the variance in depressive symptoms was explained by resilience, pessimism bias, changes in sleep, decrease in study at home, and increase in family conflict. Mediation analysis showed that resilience is indirectly related to depressive symptoms through its relationship with pessimism (ab = -0.042, CI = -0.057 to -0.013). Higher resilience was associated with lower depressive symptoms even after accounting for resilience’s indirect effect through pessimism (c’ = 0.311, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the mental health vulnerability of undergraduate students. Measures to reduce family conflict, maintain healthy daily habits, adjust optimism/pessimism bias, and enhance resilience may be useful for improving the mental wellbeing of undergraduate students during the pandemic.

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SASS: South African Simulation Survey – a review of simulation-based education

Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia ◽

10.36303/sajaa.2019.25.4.2191 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 12-20

Author(s):

R Swart ◽

R Duys ◽

ND Hauser

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Survey Tool ◽

South African Society ◽

Simulation Based ◽

The Impact

Background: Simulation-based education (SBE) has been shown to be an effective and reproducible learning tool. SBE is used widely internationally. The current state of SBE in South Africa is unknown. To the best of our knowledge this is the first survey that describes the use and attitudes towards SBE within South Africa. Methods: An online survey tool was distributed by email to: i) the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) members; and ii) known simulation education providers in South Africa. The respondents were grouped into anaesthesia and non-anaesthesia participants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Ethics approval was obtained: HREC REF 157/2017. Results: The majority of the respondents provide SBE and integrate it into formal teaching programmes. There is a will amongst respondents to grow SBE in South Africa, with it being recognised as a valuable educational tool. The user groups mainly targeted by SBE, were undergraduate students, medical interns, registrars and nurses. Learning objectives targeted include practical skills, medical knowledge, critical thinking and integrated management. Amongst anaesthesia respondents: the tool most commonly used to assess the quality of learner performance during SBE, for summative assessment, was ‘expert opinion’ (33%); the most frequent methods of evaluating SBE quality were participant feedback (42%) and peer evaluation (22%); the impact of SBE was most frequently assessed by informal discussion (42%) and learner feedback (39%). In anaesthesia SBE largely takes place within dedicated simulation facilities on site (47%). Most respondents report access to a range of SBE equipment. The main reported barriers to SBE were: finance, lack of trained educators, lack of equipment and lack of protected time. A limited number of respondents report engaging in SBE research. There is a willingness in both anaesthesia and non-anaesthesia groups (96% and 89% respectively) to collaborate with other centres. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this publication provides us with the first cross-sectional survey of SBE in anaesthesia and a selection of non-anaesthetic respondents within South Africa. The majority of respondents indicate that SBE is a valuable education tool. A number of barriers have been identified that limit the growth of SBE within South Africa. It is hoped that with a commitment to ongoing SBE research and evaluation, SBE can be grown in South Africa.

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Pathways from Food Insecurity to Health Outcomes among California University Students

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11061419 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1419 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Suzanna M. Martinez ◽

Michael A. Grandner ◽

Aydin Nazmi ◽

Elias Ruben Canedo ◽

Lorrene D. Ritchie

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Weight Status ◽

Online Survey ◽

Student Characteristics ◽

Poor Health ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

The Past ◽

The Impact

The prevalence of food insecurity (FI) among college students is alarmingly high, yet the impact on student health has not been well investigated. The aim of the current study was to examine the simultaneous relationships between food insecurity and health-related outcomes including body mass index (BMI) and overall health in a college student population. Randomly sampled students in the University of California 10 campus system were invited to participate in an online survey in spring 2015. The analytic sample size was 8705 graduate and undergraduate students. Data were collected on FI in the past year, daily servings of fruits and vegetables (FV), number of days in the past week of enough sleep and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), height and weight, self-rated health, and student characteristics. Using path analysis, mediated pathways between FI, BMI, and poor health were examined through FV intake, number of days of MVPA and enough sleep. Analyses controlled for student characteristics. Mean BMI was 23.6 kg/m2 (SD, 5.0), and average self-rated health was good. FI was directly and indirectly related to higher BMI and poor health through three pathways. First, FI was related to fewer days of enough sleep, which in turn was related to increased BMI and poor health. Second, FI was related to fewer days of MVPA, which in turn was related to increased BMI and poor health. Third, FI was related to fewer daily servings of FV, which in turn was related to poor health. FI is associated with poor health behaviors among college students, which may contribute to higher weight status and poor health. These findings highlight the importance of food security for a healthy college experience.

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HIV/AIDS Perceptions, attitudes and awareness of undergraduate students

The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa ◽

10.4102/td.v2i1.313 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christo Van Wyk

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Future Research ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

North West ◽

The North ◽

Vaal Triangle ◽

Hiv Aids

The central question to be examined revolves around the perceptions, attitudes and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among undergraduate students at the North-West University (Vaal Triangle Campus). Therefore, the objective of this research was to assess these perceptions, attitudes and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. A convenience sample of undergraduate students was used in a cross-sectional design (N = 290). A semi-standardised questionnaire as well as a biographical questionnaire was administered. The semi-standardised questionnaire was proven to be reliable. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of between 0.65 and 0.71 was obtained. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results indicated that students experienced and perceived differences with regards to their biographical variables in terms of their perceptions, attitudes and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Differences were also found between students in different study modules and study years. The findings revealed that the majority of the students were quite knowledgeable regarding HIV/AIDS. While some students had detailed knowledge of the disease and its prevention, others (the minority) were either completely ignorant about it or deny its existence. Recommendations were made for future research in the area of HIV/AIDS within the context of tertiary education.

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Impact of the COVID-19 national lockdown on pharmacy students’ productivity and their coping strategies in a developing country: An online survey in Nigerian universities

Pharmacy Education ◽

10.46542/pe.2020.202.249259 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 249-259

Author(s):

Abdulmuminu Isah ◽

Deborah Oyine Aluh ◽

Abubakar Abba ◽

Patrick Ogbonna Chukwu ◽

Ebere Mercy Okpara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Pharmacy Students ◽

School Life ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Main Challenge ◽

The Impact

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria led to a national lockdown that resulted in the suspension of academic activities. Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 national lockdown on pharmacy students’ productivity and their coping strategies. Methods: This study involved the cross-sectional collection of responses from undergraduate students of six Nigerian schools of pharmacy. Data was collected using a structured, validated questionnaire in the form of Google form. The data was entered into a statistical product and service solutions software (SPSS, version-25) for analysis. Results: A total of 808 students responded to the questionnaire. The majority of the students’ responses (757, 93.7%) showed that their reading duration had decreased during the lockdown. The most missed variable during the closure by students was ‘school life’ (303, 37.5%). The use of social media (133, 16.5%) was the most common coping strategy. The majority of the students, 544 (67.3%), agreed to participate in the virtual mode of learning. The cost of data was the main challenge to online learning by the students (288, 36.0%). Conclusion: This study shows that the productivity of pharmacy students decreased during the COVID-19 lockdown. Social media and business activities were the most common coping mechanisms of pharmacy students. Pharmacy students were willing to accept virtual learning despite possible challenges.

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Impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable patients with rheumatic disease: results of a worldwide survey

RMD Open ◽

10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001378 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. e001378

Author(s):

Bella Mehta ◽

Deanna Jannat-Khah ◽

Mark Alan Fontana ◽

Carine J Moezinia ◽

Carol A Mancuso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Rheumatic Disease ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Online Survey ◽

Low Ses ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Vulnerable Patients ◽

The Impact ◽

Racial Ethnic

ObjectiveThere is emerging evidence that COVID-19 disproportionately affects people from racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) groups. Many physicians across the globe are changing practice patterns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to examine the practice changes among rheumatologists and what they perceive the impact to be on their most vulnerable patients.MethodsWe administered an online survey to a convenience sample of rheumatologists worldwide during the initial height of the pandemic (between 8 April and 4 May 2020) via social media and group emails. We surveyed rheumatologists about their opinions regarding patients from low SES and racial/ethnic minority groups in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mainly, what their specific concerns were, including the challenges of medication access; and about specific social factors (health literacy, poverty, food insecurity, access to telehealth video) that may be complicating the management of rheumatologic conditions during this time.Results548 rheumatologists responded from 64 countries and shared concerns of food insecurity, low health literacy, poverty and factors that preclude social distancing such as working and dense housing conditions among their patients. Although 82% of rheumatologists had switched to telehealth video, 17% of respondents estimated that about a quarter of their patients did not have access to telehealth video, especially those from below the poverty line. The majority of respondents believed these vulnerable patients, from racial/ethnic minorities and from low SES groups, would do worse, in terms of morbidity and mortality, during the pandemic.ConclusionIn this sample of rheumatologists from 64 countries, there is a clear shift in practice to telehealth video consultations and widespread concern for socially and economically vulnerable patients with rheumatic disease.

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“Everybody I Know Is Always Hungry…But Nobody Asks Why”: University Students, Food Insecurity and Mental Health

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11061571 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1571 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Nayantara Hattangadi ◽

Ellen Vogel ◽

Linda Carroll ◽

Pierre Côté

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Qualitative Approaches ◽

Substantial Problem ◽

Group Interviews ◽

The Impact

Food insecurity is a substantial problem in Canadian university students. Multiple cross-sectional studies suggest that nearly a third of university students across Canada report food insecurity. Yet, little is understood about the experiences of food-insecure students and the impact of their experiences on their mental health. To address this, a multi-method study was conducted using quantitative and qualitative approaches to describe the prevalence, association and experience of food insecurity and mental health in undergraduate students. The current paper reports on the qualitative component, which described the lived experiences of food-insecure students, captured through face-to-face focus group interviews with participants (n = 6). The themes included (1) contributing factors to food insecurity; (2) consequences of food insecurity; and (3) students’ responses/attempts to cope with food insecurity. The findings illuminated student voices, added depth to quantitative results, and made the experience of food insecurity more visible at the undergraduate level. Additional research is needed to understand students’ diverse experiences across the university community and to inform programs to support students.

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Experiences of the Built Environment, Falls and Fear of Falling Outdoors among Older Adults: An Exploratory Study and Future Directions

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17041224 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 1224 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Angela Curl ◽

Helen Fitt ◽

Melanie Tomintz

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Built Environment ◽

Urban Environment ◽

Online Survey ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Future Research ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Survey Tool ◽

Physical Injuries ◽

The Impact

Falls can have serious impacts on the health, wellbeing and daily mobilities of older adults. Falls are a leading cause of injury and death amongst older adults and outdoor falls comprise a substantial proportion of pedestrian injuries. As well as physical injuries, the psychological impacts of experiencing a fall can result in older adults getting out of the house less often, resulting in lower levels of physical activity and social connection. Despite the known consequences of falls, relatively little research considers the impact of the urban built environment on falls among older adults. This research aimed to explore the experiences of older adults in the urban environment, falling and the fear of falling outdoors. We conducted an online survey with adults aged 50+ using a participatory mapping survey tool and a convenience sample. The study area was Greater Christchurch, New Zealand. Results suggest that both perceived accessibility and neighbourhood conditions are independently associated with fear of falling, after controlling for frequency of falling, gender and activities of daily living. Our findings demonstrate the need for much better understandings of the relationships between the urban environment, outdoor mobility, fear of falling and falling among older adults and we propose suggestions for future research.

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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and initial period of lockdown on the mental health and well-being of adults in the UK

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2020.79 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ross G. White ◽

Catharina Van Der Boor

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Initial Period ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

World Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

The Impact ◽

Health And Well Being

Summary The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being were assessed in a convenience sample of 600 UK adults, using a cross-sectional design. Recruited over 2 weeks during the initial phase of lockdown, participants completed an online survey that included COVID-19-related questions, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the World Health Organization (Five) Well-Being Index and the Oxford Capabilities Questionnaire for Mental Health. Self-isolating before lockdown, increased feelings of isolation since lockdown and having COVID-19-related livelihood concerns were associated with poorer mental health, well-being and quality of life. Perceiving increased kindness, community connectedness and being an essential worker were associated with better mental health and well-being outcomes.

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The Influence of Intuitive Eating on Weight Satisfaction in College Students

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 177-177

Author(s):

Ashley Reynolds ◽

Kayla Parsons ◽

Amelia Sullivan ◽

Leigh Neptune ◽

Carol Byrd-Bredbenner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Eating Behavior ◽

Online Survey ◽

Intuitive Eating ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Experiment Station ◽

Weight Satisfaction ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Current Weight

Abstract Objectives The objective was to examine the relationship between intuitive eating behavior and weight satisfaction in college students. Methods A cross-sectional convenience sample of college students completed an online survey that evaluated frequency of intuitive eating, weight satisfaction (happy/neutral/upset), and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported height and weight. Independent t-tests were used to compare differences in desired weight change, BMI, and days feeling healthy and full of energy between students who identified as an intuitive eater and those who did not. An ANOVA was used to examine differences between weight satisfaction groups and frequency of intuitive eating. Results Participants (N = 655) were 19.8 ± 1.5 years old, female (63%), and white (84%). College students that identified as intuitive eaters (61%) reported significantly less desire to change their weight than non-intuitive eaters (10.76 ± 11.21 vs. 16.98 ± 13.13, P < 0.01), had a healthier BMI 24.2 ± 4.7 vs. 25.7 ± 5.8, P < 0.01), and reported more days per month (d/m) feeling healthy and full of energy (12.2 ± 8.6 vs. 2.8 ± 7.5, P < 0.001). A main effect of intuitive eating was found for weight satisfaction, (F(1,2) = 49.158, P < 0.001). Individuals who were happy with their current weight reported significantly greater intuitive eating activity than individuals who did not care about their current weight (P < 0.01) and those who were upset about their current weight (P < 0.001). Conclusions This data shows that students who identified as eating intuitively reported having a higher body weight satisfaction, a healthier BMI, and reported more d/m feeling healthy and full of energy. This research justifies the need for health programming to focus on encouraging intuitive eating behavior, especially for college students who are at risk for unhealthful diet practices. Funding Sources This project was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project number #ME0022104 through the Maine Agricultural & Forest Experiment Station. NJ Agriculture Experiment Station.

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