Higher Education Students’ Mental Health Problems: Results from the Norwegian SHOT study

Abstract Highly educated people have better health than those without education. The number of young adults pursuing higher education is increasing; In 2015 almost half the Norwegian adult population had completed higher education (1). Studies have investigated horizontal stratification (i.e. differentiation within higher education) effects on labor market outcomes, but few have studied health returns from education (2). Data stem from a recent national student health survey from 2018 for higher education in Norway (the SHoT2018-study; N = 50 054, response rate = 30.8%). We examined the associations between level of ongoing education (One-year program, Bachelor, Master, longer professional education) and mental health problems measured with Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25; 3. There was a pattern of decreasing symptoms of mental health problems with level of study program, F (5,49782) = 103,34, p < .001. The results formed a monotonic relationship; each level of increased education was associated with significantly less mental health problems. There was no difference between the Masters and professional programs. We found evidence of horizontal stratification of mental health problems in this large sample of Norwegian college and university students. The observed association may have three explanations; causality may run from schooling to health (4), it may run from health to schooling (5), or both may be determined third factors. Further studies should investigate mechanisms such as stigma and social status in relation to the observed associations (6,7). 1 OECD. (OECD Publishing, 2015), 2 Conti, G. et al. Am. Econ. Rev. 100, 234-238 (2010), 3 Derogatis, L. et al. Behavioral science 19, 1-15 (1974), 4 Grossman, Michael et al. in Handbook of the Economics of Education (eds. Eric A Hanushek & F. Welch) 1, (Elsevier, 2006), 5 Currie, J. J Econ Lit 47, 87-122 (2009), 6 Marmot, M. (Bloomsbury, 2004), 7 Hagquist, C. E. I. Eur J Public Health 17, 21-26 (2007) Key messages Increasing numbers of young adults pursue higher education, it is therefore important to investigate educational inequalities within higher education. College students pursuing higher education (masters or professional programs) have fewer mental health problems relative to college students enrolled in higher education, but at lower levels.

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The Geographic Distribution of Mental health among Chinese Young Adults: A Nationwide Survey during COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.23126 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Fangbiao Tao ◽

Xiaoyan Wu ◽

Shuman Tao ◽

Yi Zhang ◽

Shiyue Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Young Adults ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Geographic Location ◽

Health Problems ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Chinese Young Adults

BACKGROUND Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mental health problems among young adults are concerned OBJECTIVE We assess the prevalence of mental health problems and examine their associations with geographic location METHODS A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces and autonomous regions among Chinese college students from Feb 4 to Feb 12, 2019. An online survey was adopted to collect information including demographics, perceived risk of infection, attitudes toward epidemic and control, and mental health status. Depression symptoms and anxiety were assessed by scales. A total of 11 787 participants were involved in the current study. A Chi-square test was used to compare the percentage of the perceived risk of infection and attitude toward COVID-19 between different geographic locations. The binary logistic models were used to identify associations between associations of geographic location and mental health problems after controlling for covariates RESULTS The prevalence of anxiety, depression symptoms were 17.8% and 25.9% for college students. After controlling for covariates, current living or college geographic location in Wuhan was positively associated with anxiety symptoms (OR=1.38, 95%CI: 1.12-1.69; OR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.03-1.32) and depression symptoms (OR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.10-1.59; OR=1.16, 95%CI: 1.04-1.30) compared with other areas. Living or travel history in Wuhan in the latest month was also positively associated with anxiety symptoms (OR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.49-1.83) and depression symptoms (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.34-1.6). CONCLUSIONS Mental health problems are prevalent in Chinese young adults vary geographically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results provide further insight into developing targeted intervention strategies

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The Investigation of Mental Health Problems and Social Phobia Status of College Students

International Online Journal of Educational Sciences ◽

10.15345/iojes.2015.04.016 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pakize Özyürek ◽

İbrahim Kılıç

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Social Phobia ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems

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Family Type Predicts Mental Health Problems in Young Adults: A Survey of Students at a University in Botswana

SOUTHERN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ◽

10.25159/2415-5829/6823 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Kennedy Amone-P'Olak ◽

Boniface Kealeboga Ramotuana

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Single Mother ◽

Health Problems ◽

Family Type ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Intact Family ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Family Types

In Africa, the structure of the family is changing rapidly. The effects of this change on mental health remain unknown. This study investigated the extent to which different family types (intact, single-mother, and multiple) predict mental health problems in young adults in Botswana (N = 264, mean age = 21.31, SD = 2.40). In a cross-sectional design, the study sampled students registered at various faculties at the University of Botswana. The revised symptoms checklist (SCL-90-R) was used to assess symptoms of mental health problems (depression, anxiety and hostility). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) of mental health problems for mother-only and multiple family types relative to the intact family type. Compared to the intact family type, single-mother (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.21, 4.51) and multiple family types (OR = 1.56; CI: 0.88, 2.78) were associated with an increased risk of depression. For anxiety, the ORs were 2.27 (CI: 1.18, 4.38) and 1.10 (CI: 0.56, 1.82) for single-mother and multiple family types respectively. For hostility, the ORs were 2.60 (CI: 1.34, 5.04), and 0.79 (CI: 0.44, 1.42) for single-mother and multiple family types, respectively. Family types predict mental health problems in young adults and therefore the interventions to mitigate the effects should consider family backgrounds and the ramifications of family types for treatment and care.

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Mental Health Problems in Young Adults Exposed to Abusive Experiences During Childhood: A Structural Equation Model

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3294113 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Nadeeka Chandraratne ◽

Sajeeva Ranaweera ◽

Nalika Gunawardena ◽

Asvini D. Fernando ◽

Graham Law

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Structural Equation Model ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Equation Model

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Trauma, Sleep and Mental Health Problems in Low-Income Young Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031145 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1145

Author(s):

Rachel A. Fusco ◽

Yan Yuan ◽

Hyunji Lee ◽

Christina E. Newhill

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Low Income ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Trauma Exposure ◽

Health Problems ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

The Relationship

Low-income young adults are more likely to have exposure to trauma, which increases risk for mental health problems. Although adequate sleep promotes good health, people with histories of trauma are more likely to have sleep problems. The current study explored whether poor sleep mediated the relationship between trauma exposure and mental health. A sample of 143 low-income 18–24-year-old young adults completed depression, anxiety, and trauma exposure measures and wore sleep monitors for four nights. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine both direct and indirect effects of variables. Results showed that higher trauma exposure was associated with depression and anxiety. Mean sleep hours per night was fewer than six, far below recommended guidelines for optimal health and functioning. Fewer sleep hours partially mediated the relationship between both trauma exposure and depression and anxiety, and the direct effect from trauma remained significant after adjusting for the partial mediation from sleep.

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Challenging care work: General practitioners’ perspectives on caring for young adults with complex psychosocial problems

Health An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health Illness and Medicine ◽

10.1177/1363459319874100 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 136345931987410

Author(s):

Julie Høgsgaard Andersen ◽

Tine Tjørnhøj-Thomsen ◽

Susanne Reventlow ◽

Annette Sofie Davidsen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Young Adults ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychosocial Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Care Work ◽

Psychiatric Nurses ◽

Provision Of Care

The international literature shows that primary care is well placed to address mental health problems in young people, but that primary care professionals experience a range of challenges in this regard. In Denmark, young adults who have complex psychosocial problems, and who are not in education or work, cause political and academic concern. They are also in regular contact with their general practitioners, the Danish municipalities and psychiatric services. However, little is known about general practitioners’ perspectives on caring for this vulnerable group of patients. In this article, we investigate how general practitioners’ care work is shaped by the bureaucratic management of care in a complex infrastructure network comprising the general practitioners, psychiatry, the municipalities and the young adults. The analysis is based on interviews and focus groups with general practitioners, psychiatric nurses and social workers. We employ Tronto’s concept of care and the concept of boundary work as a theoretical framework. We argue that general practitioners strive to provide care, but they are challenged by the following: contested diagnostic interpretations and the bureaucratic significance of diagnoses for the provision of care from psychiatry and the municipalities, systemic issues with handling intertwined social and mental health problems, and the young adults’ difficulties with accessing and receiving available care.

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Student mental health and the general practitioner

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin ◽

10.1136/dtb.13.25.99 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 13 (25) ◽

pp. 99-100

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Higher Education ◽

General Practitioner ◽

Health Service ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Student Health ◽

Student Health Services ◽

The University

Although most universities run a health service, students with important mental health problems are often seen by their general practitioner. There are a number of reasons for this; first, health services in the colleges of higher education outside universities are still patchy and incomplete. Second, students are on vacation for up to 24 weeks a year. Third, a student may choose to consult anyone, and may prefer someone unconnected with the university. Last, many students live at home and continue to see their general practitioner. This underlines the need for close liason between the general practitioner and student health services.

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Six-year follow-up study of combined type ADHD from childhood to young adulthood: Predictors of functional impairment and comorbid symptoms

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.08.007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 35 ◽

pp. 47-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

T Cadman ◽

J. Findon ◽

H. Eklund ◽

H. Hayward ◽

D. Howley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Drug Use ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

The United States ◽

Health Problems ◽

Population Norms ◽

Police Contact ◽

Dsm Iv

AbstractBackgroundADHD in childhood is associated with development of negative psychosocial and behavioural outcomes in adults. Yet, relatively little is known about which childhood and adulthood factors are predictive of these outcomes and could be targets for effective interventions. To date follow-up studies have largely used clinical samples from the United States with children ascertained at baseline using broad criteria for ADHD including all clinical subtypes or the use of DSM III criteria.AimsTo identify child and adult predictors of comorbid and psychosocial comorbid outcomes in ADHD in a UK sample of children with DSM-IV combined type ADHD.MethodOne hundred and eighteen adolescents and young adults diagnosed with DSM-IV combined type ADHD in childhood were followed for an average of 6 years. Comorbid mental health problems, drug and alcohol use and police contact were compared for those with persistent ADHD, sub-threshold ADHD and population norms taken from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Study 2007. Predictors included ADHD symptomology and gender.ResultsPersistent ADHD was associated with greater levels of anger, fatigue, sleep problems and anxiety compared to sub-threshold ADHD. Comorbid mental health problems were predicted by current symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not by childhood ADHD severity. Both persistent and sub-threshold ADHD was associated with higher levels of drug use and police contact compared to population norms.ConclusionsYoung adults with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD showed increased rates of comorbid mental health problems, which were predicted by current levels of ADHD symptoms. This suggests the importance of the continuing treatment of ADHD throughout the transitional years and into adulthood. Drug use and police contact were more common in ADHD but were not predicted by ADHD severity in this sample.

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