scholarly journals Health-related consequences of the type and utilization rates of electronic devices by college students

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Benden ◽  
Ranjana Mehta ◽  
Adam Pickens ◽  
Brett Harp ◽  
Matthew Lee Smith ◽  
...  

Abstract Background College students are leading an evolution of device use both in the type of device and the frequency of use. They have transitioned from desktop stations to laptops, tablets, and especially smartphones and use them throughout the day and into the night. Methods Using a 35-min online survey, we sought to understand how technology daily usage patterns, device types, and postures affect pain and discomfort to understand how knowledge of that pain might help students avoid it. Data were analyzed from 515 students (69.5% male) who completed an internet-delivered survey (81.3% response rate). Results Participants ranked smartphones as their most frequently used technology (64.0%), followed by laptops and tablets (both 53.2%), and desktop computers (46.4%). Time spent using smartphones averaged over 4.4 h per day. When using their devices, students were more likely to adopt non-traditional workplace postures as they used these devices primarily on the couch or at a chair with no desk. Conclusion Recent trends in wireless academic access points along with the portability of small handheld devices, have made smartphones the most common link to educational materials despite having the least favorable control and display scenario from an ergonomic perspective. Further, the potential impact of transitions in work environments due to COVID-19 may further exacerbate ergonomic issues among millions highlighting the need for such work to be carried out.

2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Madera ◽  
Lawrence Judge ◽  
Nicholette Yates ◽  
Brian Fox ◽  
Selen Razon

The purpose of this study was to test the perceived effects of psychological skills training (PST) on anxiety and anaerobic performance in college-aged students. Fifty-five college students (44 females, 11 males) volunteered to complete an online survey instrument. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling methods to answer questions built through a Qualtrics online survey. The questionnaire was split into two sections. The first section asked participants to identify psychological skills, their familiarity with them, and their frequency of use. The second section consisted of categorizing each skill so participants could mark the extent to which it influences their training goal. Data analysis showed males were more familiar with five out of six psychological skills when compared to females. This is result is likely due to males showing higher stress levels during training and performance compared to females. The findings of this study confirm the importance of mental health education and PST in college students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1341-1341
Author(s):  
Kayla Parsons ◽  
Leigh Neptune ◽  
Onycha Carlson ◽  
Elizabeth Matthews ◽  
Jade McNamara

Abstract Objectives The objective of this research was to compare health behavior differences between young adults who perceive their health as excellent or good and those who perceive their health as fair or poor. Methods A cross-sectional, convenience sample of college students was used for the study. Students were recruited via campus email and were asked to complete an online survey consisting of the Center for Disease Control's Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) modules, self-reported height and weight which was used to calculate body mass index (BMI), and a food frequency questionnaire to assess fruit and vegetable intake. Independent t-tests were used to assess differences between groups. Results Participants (N = 797) were 20 ± 1.4 years old, the majority were female (65.5%), and white (92.3%). The results showed that students who reported their health as “excellent, very good, or good” (n = 616) versus those that reported their health as “fair or poor” (n = 181) consumed more servings of fruit per day (0.84 ± 0.7 vs. 0.56 ± 0.5, P < 0.001), more servings of vegetables per day (1.6 ± 1.2 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2, P < 0.001) and had a lower BMI (24.2 ± 4.1 vs. 26.1 ± 5.3, P < 0.001). They also had significantly better HRQOL, with reporting more days/month when they were in good physical health (3.9 ± 5.1 vs. 8.2 ± 8.4, P < 0.001), less days/month feeling depressed (6.7 ± 7.7 vs. 15.1 ± 10.4, P < 0.001), more days/month when they were happy/full of energy (12.7 ± 8.3 vs. 6.4 ± 6.1, P < 0.001), and less days/month when they did not get enough sleep (13.0 ± 9.0 vs. 17.8 ± 9.6, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions This data shows that students who perceived their general health to be excellent, very good, or good, reported healthier behaviors compared to students who perceived their health to be fair or poor. This research provides justification that college aimed health and wellness initiatives should focus on both mental and physical health of college students in order to shape positive behaviors that impact overall health-related quality of life. Funding Sources Bushway Research Fund, University of Maine.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 41-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla J. Berg ◽  
Pamela M. Ling ◽  
Hongfei Guo ◽  
Michael Windle ◽  
Janet L. Thomas ◽  
...  

Marketing campaigns, such as those developed by the tobacco industry, are based on market research, which defines segments of a population by assessing psychographic characteristics (i.e., attitudes, interests). This study uses a similar approach to define market segments of college smokers, to examine differences in their health behaviors (smoking, drinking, binge drinking, exercise, diet), and to determine the validity of these segments. A total of 2,265 undergraduate students aged 18–25 years completed a 108-item online survey in fall 2008 assessing demographic, psychographic (i.e., attitudes, interests), and health-related variables. Among the 753 students reporting past 30-day smoking, cluster analysis was conducted using 21 psychographic questions and identified three market segments – Stoic Individualists, Responsible Traditionalists, and Thrill-Seeking Socializers. We found that segment membership was related to frequency of alcohol use, binge drinking, and limiting dietary fat. We then developed three messages targeting each segment and conducted message testing to validate the segments on a subset of 73 smokers representing each segment in spring 2009. As hypothesized, each segment indicated greater relevance and salience for their respective message. These findings indicate that identifying qualitatively different subgroups of young adults through market research may inform the development of engaging interventions and health campaigns targeting college students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Bouchard ◽  
Margaret M. Nauta

This study examined the role of work volition in the relation between college students’ health and several short-term career outcome variables. The responses of 393 students to an online survey revealed that the number of the last 30 days that were deemed unhealthy was significantly related to work volition, and work volition was associated with major satisfaction, leadership aspirations, educational persistence intentions, and real versus ideal career aspiration discrepancy. Path analysis results were consistent with a model specifying work volition as a mediator of the associations between unhealthy days and the career variables. It therefore appears lower work volition may be a risk factor for students with health-related challenges. When conducting career assessment and counseling, career counselors and other providers should consider the perceived career-choice constraints that college students with chronic illnesses and general symptomatology perceive. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.


Author(s):  
Vicky Duncan ◽  
Sherri Vokey ◽  
Shannon Gordon ◽  
Melissa Helwig ◽  
Trish Chatterley

<span>Although there are studies that explore the use of mobile devices by physicians and pharmacists, there has not been a study to date that examines the prevalence and usage patterns of mobile devices amongst pharmacy students and faculty. This is the first pan-Canadian study that examines the prevalence and patterns of use of mobile devices by pharmacy faculty and students at Anglophone and Francophone universities. Unlike previous studies, this study also included interviews with participants to collect richer data than can be gathered with an online survey alone.</span>


10.2196/13650 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. e13650
Author(s):  
Scottye Cash ◽  
Laura Marie Schwab-Reese ◽  
Erin Zipfel ◽  
Megan Wilt ◽  
Megan Moreno

Background College students frequently use social media sites to connect with friends. Increasingly, research suggests college students and other young adults seek mental health-related support on social media, which may present a unique venue for intervention. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine college students’ perceptions about displaying feelings of depression on Facebook and, in turn, how their social media friends responded. Methods A primarily quantitative online survey with open response questions was distributed to students at four US universities. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. Results A total of 34 students provided qualitative responses for analysis, these students were 85.3% female, mean age 20.2 (SD=1.4) and 20.6% racial/ethnic minority. Students who reported posting about depression often expressed an emotion or feeling but did not use the word “depression” in the post. Approximately 20% posted language about a bad day, and 15% posted a song or music video. Only one person reported posting a statement that directly asked for help. When friends responded to the posts, students generally perceived the responses as supportive or motivating gestures. Nearly 15% of friends contacted the individual outside of Facebook. One individual received a negative response and no responses suggested that the individual seek help. Conclusions This study found that college students who post about depression often do so without directly referencing depression and that friends were generally supportive. However, no participants reported their social network suggested they seek help, which may suggest increasing mental health literacy, for both support seekers and responders, would be an opportunity to improve online mental health-related support.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 927
Author(s):  
Laura Salerno ◽  
Lucia Craxì ◽  
Emanuele Amodio ◽  
Gianluca Lo Coco

Vaccine hesitancy (VH) may be significant in jeopardizing efforts to mass containment of COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on a sample of 2667 Italian college students, before the COVID-19 vaccines became available for this age group (from 7 May to 31 May 2021). An online survey was created to obtain information about socio-demographic, health-related, and psychological factors linked to mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines. Statistically significant higher VH (30.4%) and vaccine resistance (12.2%) rates were found for viral vector than mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (7.2% and 1.0%, respectively; p < 0.001). Factors related to viral vector VH were partially different from those related to mRNA VH. Students with greater endorsement on conspiracy statements and negative attitudes toward the vaccine had higher odds of being vaccine-hesitant or -resistant. Students who had received a previous COVID-19 test and who scored higher on the agreeableness personality dimension had lower odds to be vaccine-hesitant or -resistant. The willingness to choose the vaccine was related to the viral vector but not to the mRNA VH. Taking into consideration the factors involved in vaccine hesitancy/resistance in college students could represent a key public health strategy to increase vaccine coverage and reduce viral spreading.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scottye Cash ◽  
Laura Marie Schwab-Reese ◽  
Erin Zipfel ◽  
Megan Wilt ◽  
Megan Moreno

BACKGROUND College students frequently use social media sites to connect with friends. Increasingly, research suggests college students and other young adults seek mental health-related support on social media, which may present a unique venue for intervention. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine college students’ perceptions about displaying feelings of depression on Facebook and, in turn, how their social media friends responded. METHODS A primarily quantitative online survey with open response questions was distributed to students at four US universities. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS A total of 34 students provided qualitative responses for analysis, these students were 85.3% female, mean age 20.2 (SD=1.4) and 20.6% racial/ethnic minority. Students who reported posting about depression often expressed an emotion or feeling but did not use the word “depression” in the post. Approximately 20% posted language about a bad day, and 15% posted a song or music video. Only one person reported posting a statement that directly asked for help. When friends responded to the posts, students generally perceived the responses as supportive or motivating gestures. Nearly 15% of friends contacted the individual outside of Facebook. One individual received a negative response and no responses suggested that the individual seek help. CONCLUSIONS This study found that college students who post about depression often do so without directly referencing depression and that friends were generally supportive. However, no participants reported their social network suggested they seek help, which may suggest increasing mental health literacy, for both support seekers and responders, would be an opportunity to improve online mental health-related support.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendall Goodrich ◽  
Mark Benden ◽  
James Munch ◽  
Wakiuru Wamwara

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of college students’ health and wellness orientations on the perceived importance of health benefits for an innovative new brand of standing desk, which is hypothesized to positively affect students’ attitudes and intentions. Research in this domain for the college student market is sparse. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted among business students at a large Midwestern US University, with class credit offered for completion. Of the 325 students given the opportunity to participate, 210 completed the survey. Findings Health motivation is positively related to calorie reduction importance, whereas wellness orientation is positively related to back health and cognitive enhancement. Calorie reduction and potential cognitive benefits significantly affect attitudes toward standing desks, which positively impact intentions to use, pay a school usage fee and buy the product. Research limitations/implications Different health orientation factors are associated with specific health benefits, providing greater insight into consumer attitudinal motivations for health-related products. Future research can further evaluate the generalizability of the results. Practical implications Marketers can tailor more effective communications based on underlying consumer motivations for health-related product benefits, resulting in better marketing outcomes. Social implications Obesity is a growing societal issue, which could be ameliorated by improved daily behaviors, including the use of standing desks to assist in countering sedentarism. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, neither academic research has yet examined standing desk purchase decision factors for the college student market, nor the effects of different health orientations on perceived health benefits.


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