Understanding the Cumulative Burden of Basic Needs Insecurities: Associations With Health and Academic Achievement Among College Students

Purpose: Food insecurity is a concern on college campuses and is correlated with other basic needs insecurities. We examined the cumulative burden of food, financial, and housing insecurities on college students’ health and academic performance. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Large, public Midwestern university. Sample: A total of 793 college students completed an online survey in 2018 (43% response rate). Measures: Food, financial, and housing insecurity were measured using validated instruments. Primary outcomes were general health status, anxiety and depression, and grade point average (GPA). Analysis: Weighted linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between cumulative basic needs insecurities and primary outcomes. Results: Approximately 11% of students experienced all 3 insecurities. Compared to fully secure students, students with all 3 insecurities were more likely to have anxiety and depression (odds ratio [OR] = 4.65, 95% CI: 4.31-5.01), fair/poor health (OR = 4.06, 95% CI: 3.73-4.42), and lower GPA (β = −0.19, 95% CI: −0.30 to −0.09), adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusion: Interventions that address multiple basic needs insecurities are needed to promote college students’ well-being and foster academic success.

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Doctors’ perception of support and the processes involved in complaints investigations and how these relate to welfare and defensive practice: a cross-sectional survey of the UK physicians

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017856 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. e017856 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Tom Bourne ◽

Bavo De Cock ◽

Laure Wynants ◽

Mike Peters ◽

Chantal Van Audenhove ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Perceived Support ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Final Sample ◽

Perception Of Support ◽

The Uk

ObjectiveHow adverse outcomes and complaints are managed may significantly impact on physician well-being and practice. We aimed to investigate how depression, anxiety and defensive medical practice are associated with doctors actual and perceived support, behaviour of colleagues and process issues regarding how complaints investigations are carried out.DesignA survey study. Respondents were classified into three groups: no complaint, recent/current complaint (within 6 months) or past complaint. Each group completed specific surveys.SettingBritish Medical Association (BMA) members were invited to complete an online survey.Participants95 636 members of the BMA were asked to participate. 7926 (8.3%) completed the survey, of whom 1780 (22.5%) had no complaint, 3889 (49.1%) had a past complaint and 2257 (28.5%) had a recent/current complaint. We excluded those with no complaints leaving 6144 in the final sample.Primary outcomes measuresWe measured anxiety and depression using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 and Physical Health Questionnaire 9. Defensive practice was assessed using a new measure for avoidance and hedging.ResultsMost felt supported by colleagues (61%), only 31% felt supported by management. Not following process (56%), protracted timescales (78%), vexatious complaints (49%), feeling bullied (39%) or victimised for whistleblowing (20%), and using complaints to undermine (31%) were reported. Perceived support by management (relative risk (RR) depression: 0.77, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.83; RR anxiety: 0.80, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.87), speaking to colleagues (RR depression: 0.64, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.84 and RR anxiety: 0.69, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.94, respectively), fair/accurate documentation (RR depression: 0.80, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.86; RR anxiety: 0.81, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.87), and being informed about rights (RR depression 0.96 (0.89 to 1.03) and anxiety 0.94 (0.87 to 1.02), correlated positively with well-being and reduced defensive practice. Doctors worried most about professional humiliation following a complaint investigation (80%).ConclusionPoor process, prolonged timescales and vexatious use of complaints systems are associated with decreased psychological welfare and increased defensive practice. In contrast, perceived support from colleagues and management is associated with a reduction in these effects.

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Resilience, well-being, depression symptoms and concussion levels in equestrian athletes

Journal of Public Mental Health ◽

10.1108/jpmh-08-2020-0110 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Annika McGivern ◽

Stephen Shannon ◽

Gavin Breslin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Mental Health Support ◽

History Of

Purpose This paper aims to conduct the first cross-sectional survey on depression, Resilience, well-being, depression symptoms and concussion levels in equestrian athletes and to assess whether past concussion rates were associated with depression, resilience and well-being. Design/methodology/approach In total, 511 participants from Canada, Republic of Ireland, UK, Australia and USA took part in an international cross-sectional, online survey evaluating concussion history, depression symptoms, resilience and well-being. Findings In total, 27.1% of athletes met clinically relevant symptoms of major depressive disorder. Significant differences were shown in the well-being and resilience scores between countries. Significant relationships were observed between reported history of concussion and both high depression scores and low well-being scores. Practical implications Findings highlight the need for mental health promotion and support in equestrian sport. Social implications Results support previous research suggesting a need for enhanced mental health support for equestrians. There is reason to believe that mental illness could still be present in riders with normal levels of resilience and well-being. Originality/value This study examined an understudied athlete group: equestrian athletes and presents important findings with implications for the physical and mental health of this population.

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Assessing food insecurity prevalence and associated factors among college students enrolled in a university in the Southeast USA

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018003531 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 383-390 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ruth Wooten ◽

Marsha Spence ◽

Sarah Colby ◽

Elizabeth Anderson Steeves

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Graduate Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Public University ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

University System ◽

Grade Point ◽

Southeast Usa ◽

Final Sample

AbstractObjectiveTo assess rates of food insecurity (FI) among college students enrolled at a large public university system across one US state and identify factors associated with experiencing FI.DesignCross-sectional online survey administered to eligible, enrolled students (n 38 614) across three campuses within the university system, with 5593 students responding (4824 final sample after applying exclusion criteria, 12·5 % response rate). FI was assessed using the US Department of Agriculture’s Adult Food Security Survey Module. Descriptive statistics were conducted to calculate FI status and identify sample characteristics. Associations between FI status and independent variables were assessed using bivariate analyses (χ2 and ANOVA tests) and multivariate logistic regression.SettingLarge public university system, Southeast USA.ParticipantsEnrolled college students (excluding freshman, <18 years of age).ResultsThirty-six per cent of students were classified as FI. After controlling for confounders, factors that were significantly associated with increased likelihood of FI included previous FI (P<0·001; OR=4·78), financial factors and self-reported grade point average ≤3·85. Seniors were significantly more likely experience FI than graduate students (P=0·004, OR=1·41). A significant relationship was not identified between FI and meal plan participation, and no differences in FI were found between graduate students and individuals with sophomore or junior standing.ConclusionsThis research identifies high rates of FI among college students enrolled in a large public university system in the Southeast USA, as well as selected factors related to FI. Programmes to assist college students experiencing FI need to be developed and tested.

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The Emotional State and Physical Condition of Indonesian College Students: An Emerging Situation during the Coronavirus Disease-19 Crisis in Indonesia

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2020.5283 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (T1) ◽

pp. 261-267

Author(s):

Andi Imam Arundhana ◽

Muhammad Iqbal ◽

Siti Annisa Maharani ◽

Aminuddin Syam

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Physical Condition ◽

Emotional State ◽

Measurement Data ◽

Well Being ◽

Personal Hygiene ◽

Anthropometric Measurement ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

BACKGROUND: Since the first cases in Wuhan China have been reported, the Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 cases increased exponentially over the world. This disease might affect physical and mental well-being. AIM: This study was aimed to examine the emotional state and physical condition of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional survey design in April 2020. The participants of the survey were adult that currently enrolled at one of the universities in Indonesia from diploma-1 to master’s degree. Information from a total of 1044 participants could be obtained. We used the developed self-reported questionnaire to collect information regarding socio-demographic, personal hygiene and healthy lifestyle, anthropometric measurement data, and depressive symptoms. Pearson Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were performed using SPSS v.24 with a significant level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: This study found that 31.1% of participants are possible depressed. Of 1044 students, 35.3% were malnourished (16.5% underweight and 18.8% overweight/obese). Factors associated with depressive symptoms are sleep longer than usual, gathering with family members, and working (for income-generating). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 probably affected the majority of Indonesian college students, especially for emotional and physical condition. The government should not neglect this group by providing clinical and social supports for their well-being.

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“Hungry for an Education”: Prevalence and Outcomes of Food Insecurity Among Students at a Primarily Undergraduate University in Rural Nova Scotia

Canadian Journal of Higher Education ◽

10.47678/cjhe.v48i2.188112 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 109-129

Author(s):

Lesley Frank

Keyword(s):

Academic Success ◽

Nova Scotia ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Living Arrangements ◽

Social Life ◽

High Stress ◽

Basic Needs ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

This paper reports on food insecurity among students attending a university in rural Nova Scotia. In 2015, 1,030 students completed an online, 38-item cross-sectional survey. The results report that 38.1% of students experienced food insecurity during the previous 12 months. Food insecurity was statistically associated with living arrangements, source of funds for schooling, meal plans, and year of study. Poor overall health, poor mental health, high stress, and poor academic performance were significantly higher for food-insecure students. Students employed multiple coping strategies, with implications for academic success and long-term debt. Qualitative analysis revealed four themes related to insufficient money for food: inability to cover basic needs, health-related outcomes of persistent worry, loss of time from learning, and impacts on social life. This research demonstrates the need to re-evaluate funding policies for post-secondary education in Canada to ensure students can afford the costs of basic needs and educational costs.

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Positive Thinking, School Adjustment and Psychological Well-being among Chinese College Students

The Open Psychology Journal ◽

10.2174/1874350102013010151 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 151-159

Author(s):

Raymond C.F. Chui ◽

Chi-K. Chan

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

School Adjustment ◽

Well Being ◽

Positive Thinking ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Chinese College Students ◽

College Going

Background: Previous studies have found that traditional positive Chinese beliefs contribute to the maintenance of the quality of life. It is interesting to explore the functions of positive thinking on stress in the Chinese context in order to test whether positive thinking influences the psychological well-being of college students. Objective: This study aims to examine the associations between positive thinking, school adjustment, and the psychological well-being of Chinese college-going students. It investigates the moderating role of positive thinking in the effects of poor school adjustment on stress and well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 299 male and 396 female college students aged 17-28 years across eight universities of Hong Kong. Results: Results confirmed that school adjustment was negatively related to stress (β= -.194) and positively related to life satisfaction ( β = .074). It was also indirectly related to psychological distress via stress ( β = -.194; β = .620). Moreover, positive thinking was a moderator to the relationships between school adjustment and stress ( β = .011) and to the relationships between school adjustment and life satisfaction ( β = -.009). School adjustment was more related to stress at higher levels of positive thinking while it was more related to life satisfaction at lower levels of positive thinking. Conclusion: These results suggested that enhancing positive thinking is beneficial to Chinese college-going students’ psychological well-being. Therefore, student services at universities can consider organizing workshops to educate and promote the appropriate use of positive thinking for students to alleviate their stress and enhance their psychological well-being.

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The effect of COVID-19 on mental well-being in Switzerland: a cross-sectional survey of the adult Swiss general population

BMC Family Practice ◽

10.1186/s12875-021-01532-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Laura Diaz Hernandez ◽

Stéphanie Giezendanner ◽

Roland Fischer ◽

Andreas Zeller

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

At Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Mental Health Concerns ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract Background In addition to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic to physical health, mental health is challenged by the emotional response to the situation and the official measures taken to stop the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of impaired mental well-being due to COVID-19 and explore associated factors. Methods The study was an observational, population-based, nationwide, cross-sectional online survey of a representative sample of the general Swiss population performed between March and April 2020. Participants reported on mental well-being, self-isolation/quarantine, their risk for developing severe COVID-19, and their work situation. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed risk factors for impaired mental well-being due to the pandemic. Results Data from 1022 individuals were analysed. The median age was 44 years (range 18 to 78) and 49% were women. A third of respondents reported that the COVID-19 pandemic impaired their mental well-being and almost half reported specific mental health concerns. Impaired mental well-being was associated with having health problems (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.29–2.74, vs no problems), being or living with someone at risk for severe COVID-19 (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1–1.9,), smoking (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.24–2.61), living in urban residential environments (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.13–2.32, vs rural), not being able to work due to closed workplace (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.04–2.67), aged between 18 and 29 years old (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.32–3.01, vs 45 to 59 years old), and living in a single household (living with someone, OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44–0.97,vs single household). Overall, the most significant covariates of impaired mental well-being were specific mental health concerns: feeling depressed (OR = 7.21, 95% CI: 4.5–11.55), feeling less pleasure in doing things than before (OR = 6.28, 95% CI: 4.1–9.62), feeling anxious (OR = 6.13, 95% CI: 3.91–9.59) and feeling lonely (OR = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.53–6.58). Conclusion Impaired mental well-being can carry long-term consequences. We encourage policymakers to implement strategies to promote mental health during this pandemic situation. Special attention should be addressed to the youngest, those at risk for severe COVID-19 and those with government-imposed work restrictions.

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Emotional health concerns of oncology physicians in the United States: fallout during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.1101/2020.06.11.20128702 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lauren Thomaier ◽

Deanna Teoh ◽

Patricia Jewett ◽

Heather Beckwith ◽

Helen Parsons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Cancer Care ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated

AbstractIntroductionCancer care is significantly impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on the emotional well-being of oncology providers across the United States and explore factors associated with anxiety and depression symptoms.Methods and MaterialsA cross-sectional survey was administered to United States cancer-care physicians recruited over a two-week period (3/27/2020 – 4/10/2020) using snowball-convenience sampling through social media. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4).ResultsOf 486 participants, 374 (77.0%) completed the PHQ-4: mean age 45.7±9.6 years; 63.2% female; all oncologic specialties were represented. The rates of anxiety and depression symptoms were 62.0% and 23.5%, respectively. Demographic factors associated with anxiety included female sex, younger age, and less time in clinical practice. Perception of inadequate PPE (68.6% vs. 57.4%, p=0.03) and practicing in a state with more COVID-19 cases (65.8% vs. 51.1%, p=0.01) were associated with anxiety symptoms. Factors significantly associated with both anxiety and depression included: degree to which COVID-19 has interfered with the ability to provide treatment to cancer patients and concern that patients will not receive the level of care needed for non-COVID-19 illness (all p-values <0.01).ConclusionThe prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among oncology physicians in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic is high. Our findings highlight factors associated with and sources of psychological distress to be addressed to protect the well-being of oncology physicians.

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Using the Woman Abuse Screening Tool to Screen for and Assess Dating Violence in College Students

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/1077801217731542 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (9) ◽

pp. 1039-1051 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Janet Yuen-Ha Wong ◽

Daniel Yee-Tak Fong ◽

Jessie Ho-Yin Yau ◽

Edmond Pui-Hang Choi ◽

Anna Wai-Man Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Screening Tool ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Cutoff Score ◽

Woman Abuse ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

The study aimed to evaluate the measurement properties of the Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) in Chinese college students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hong Kong. A cutoff score of 10 was found to be able to discriminate between abused and nonabused Chinese young adults. The total score was significantly correlated with total scores for anxiety and depression on the Chinese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Two-factor structure of the WAST was supported by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The Chinese WAST was found to be valid in screening for and assessing intimate partner violence.

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Increased Prevalence of Breakfast Skipping in Female College Students in COVID-19

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1010539521998861 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101053952199886

Author(s):

Miyuki Yokoro ◽

Keiko Wakimoto ◽

Naoto Otaki ◽

Keisuke Fukuo

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Online Survey ◽

Junior College ◽

Female College Students ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Female College ◽

Breakfast Skipping ◽

Junior College Students

Going outside the house was nationally restricted among countries affected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of breakfast skipping among female college students during the COVID-19 emergency period. The cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 15, 2020, to June 1, 2020, among 164 female junior college students through the online survey using Google Form. Population of breakfast skipping during the emergency (26.7%) was significantly increased compared with that before the emergency (10.9%; P < .001). Interestingly, breakfast skipping during the emergency was a significant independent determinant for ≥1 to 2 kg of weight loss during the emergency (odds ratio = 7.09; 95% confidence interval = 1.88-26.75; P = .004) in participants who did not skip breakfast at the pre-emergency. The prevalence of breakfast skipping during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly higher than that before the emergency in female college students. Breakfast skipping during the emergency was associated with short-term weight loss.

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