scholarly journals First Year University Students Self-Reported Health Outcomes Over an Academic Semester

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
P.K Doyle-Baker ◽  
K.M. Verge ◽  
L. McClelland ◽  
T. Fung

The transition to university can be a stressful time in a student’s life. Recent evidence demonstrates declining mental and physical health in college and university students compared to the general public. A prospective cohort study investigating mental and physical wellness over the course of a semester in a sample of first-year undergraduate students (N=74; 65%F) from nine faculties was completed at a large university in Canada. Sixty-eight (92%) students with a mean (SD, ±) age 18.2 ± 1.1 yrs., weight 67.9 ± 15.5 kg, height, 168.5 ± 11.6 cm and waist circumference 81.3 ± 9.8 cm completed the SF-36V2 quality of life questionnaire at the beginning and end of the semester in Fall 2014. A decrease in vitality (p=0.003), social functioning (p=0.004), emotional state (p=0.014), and mental health (p=0.019) outcomes as measured by the SF-36v2 occurred during the semester. In addition, aggregate mental health significantly declined from the beginning to the end of the semester (p <0.001), while physical health did not change (p=0.242). The importance of promoting and increasing awareness of campus wide mental health strategies should be considered a priority for first year undergrad students. Particularly, because students in their first year may take longer than one semester to adjust to the increased work load and although difficult to speculate it is possible that both mental and physical health would decline over the next (second) semester. Future research should aim for longer study duration.

Author(s):  
P.K. Doyle-Baker ◽  
K.M. Verge ◽  
L. McClelland ◽  
T. Fung

The transition to university can be a stressful time in a student’s life. Recent evidence demonstrates declining mental and physical health in college and university students compared to the general public. A prospective cohort study investigating mental and physical wellness over the course of a semester in a sample of first-year undergraduate students (N=74; 65%F) from nine faculties was completed at a large university in Canada. Sixty-eight (92%) students with a mean (SD, ±) age 18.2 ± 1.1 yrs., weight 67.9 ± 15.5 kg, height, 168.5 ± 11.6 cm and waist circumference 81.3 ± 9.8 cm completed the SF-36V2 quality of life questionnaire at the beginning and end of the semester in Fall 2014. A decrease in vitality (p=0.003), social functioning (p=0.004), emotional state (p=0.014), and mental health (p=0.019) outcomes as measured by the SF-36v2 occurred during the semester. In addition, aggregate mental health significantly declined from the beginning to the end of the semester (p <0.001), while physical health did not change (p=0.242). The importance of promoting and increasing awareness of campus wide mental health strategies should be considered a priority for first year undergrad students. Particularly, because students in their first year may take longer than one semester to adjust to the increased work load and although difficult to speculate it is possible that both mental and physical health would decline over the next (second) semester. Future research should aim for longer study duration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. p16
Author(s):  
Rose, Stephanie F. ◽  
Christian, Samantha A. ◽  
Sego, Anita ◽  
Demers, Denise

Very little evidence addresses college students’ perceptions of mental health and supportive services available to assist them with being academically successful since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This is also true for comparing community college students and university students. This study examines the concepts of how COVID-19 has impacted overall student-perceptions of their mental health. Data on perceptions was collected from both community college and university students. A total of 932 students completed a survey regarding their views of mental health, academic success and supportive services Relationships between perceived mental health and supportive services rendered significant findings. Perceived differences between perceived mental health and supportive services were also significantly significant in the data. Recommendations for future research is also explored.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 314-314
Author(s):  
Lyndsey Miller ◽  
Karen Lyons

Abstract Optimizing dyadic health is a central goal of dyadic frameworks. Yet, research has focused on interdependent individual health or the transactional nature of health within dyads. Emerging research has explored dyadic health through the lens of congruence and balance. This longitudinal study examined dyadic mental health in 76 couples (M = 67.88 ± 11.54) during the first year of lung cancer. As expected, multilevel modeling found mental and physical health of couples were significantly associated at baseline (p &lt; .05). Congruence in mental health was significantly associated with changes in physical health over time for survivors (p &lt; .05) but not partners, whereas balanced mental health had differential effects on the physical health of survivors and partners (p &lt; .01). Discussion will focus on the implications of congruent versus balanced dyadic health for the couple, evaluation of interventions, and propose ways to define optimal dyadic health.


Author(s):  
Kelsey D. Vig ◽  
Renée El-Gabalawy ◽  
Gordon J. G. Asmundson

This chapter discusses the complex relationship between stress and physical health, with a focus on comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and physical health conditions. There is a great deal of evidence that stress and mental health conditions, such as PTSD, often co-occur with physical health conditions. This chapter reviews this evidence, describes potential mechanisms underlying the comorbidity, and outlines theoretical frameworks for understanding the relationship between stress and physical health. It considers the ways in which stress leads to poor physical health, how physical health conditions can lead to stress, and how other factors may both increase stress and worsen physical health. Clinical implications of comorbid mental and physical health conditions and suggestions for future research in the area are also discussed.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261346
Author(s):  
Sunna Gestsdottir ◽  
Thordis Gisladottir ◽  
Runa Stefansdottir ◽  
Erlingur Johannsson ◽  
Greta Jakobsdottir ◽  
...  

Objective COVID-19 has affected people’s health in various ways. University students are a particularly sensitive group for mental and physical health issues. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the mental and physical health of male and female first-year university students during and before COVID-19. Method Total of 115 first-year university students (54% male) answered questions about mental and physical health. The students were asked to estimate their physical activity, sedentary behavior, loneliness, stress, and sleep quality during COVID-19 opposed to before the pandemic. Result Males had fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, and their self-esteem was higher than females (p<0.05). Over 50% of both genders estimated their mental health to be worse than before COVID-19. Larger proportion of males (69%) compared to females (38%) estimated that their physical health had worsened than before the pandemic. Larger proportion of females (38%) than males (14%) experience increased loneliness and stress (68% vs. 48%). Over 70% of both genders estimated increased sedentary behavior than before the pandemic, and larger proportion of males (76%), compared to females (56%), estimated that they were less physically active than before COVID-19. About 50% of participants estimated their sleep quality was worse than before COVID-19. Conclusion University students estimated their mental and physical health to have deteriorated during the pandemic. Therefore, it is important that the school and healthcare systems assist students in unwinding these negative health and lifestyle changes that have accompanied the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron T. McCabe ◽  
Jessica R. Watrous ◽  
Susan L. Eskridge ◽  
Michael R. Galarneau

Abstract Background More than 52,000 casualties have been documented in post-9/11 conflicts. Service members with extremity injuries (EIs) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be at particular risk for long-term deficits in mental and physical health functioning compared with service members with other injuries. Methods The present study combined medical records with patient reports of mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for 2,537 service members injured in overseas contingency operations who participated in the Wounded Warrior Recovery Project. Combined parallel-serial mediation models were tested to examine the pathways through which injury is related to mental and physical health conditions, and long-term HRQOL. Results Results revealed that injury was indirectly related to long-term HRQOL via its associations with physical health complications and mental health symptoms. Relative to TBI, EI was associated with a higher likelihood for a postinjury diagnosis for a musculoskeletal condition, which were related to lower levels of later posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and higher levels of physical and mental HRQOL. Similarly, EI was related to a lower likelihood for a postinjury PTSD diagnosis, and lower levels of subsequent PTSD symptoms, and therefore higher physical and mental HRQOL relative to those with TBI. Despite this, the prevalence of probable PTSD among those with EI was high (35%). Implications for intervention, rehabilitation, and future research are discussed.


Author(s):  
Lalita H. Nikam

Background: Medical students tend to have greater stress levels than the general population. Present study aims to explore mental and physical health of first year medical undergraduate students and association with different ABO blood groups.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 99 first year students were segregated on the basis of ABO blood groups. Mental health was assessed using validated General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). For physical health, height and weight of each student were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated.Results: Study shows higher prevalence of stress (GHQ-12 scores) of 54.6%. There was no statistically significant association of stress levels (GHQ-12 scores) and BMI with various ABO Blood groups using Pearson Chi Square test. On comparison GHQ-12 scores were highest for O blood group students and BMI values were greater in blood group B and O, but not significant. AB blood group had least GHQ-12 scores and BMI. On correlation of GHQ-12 scores with BMI, there was weak positive correlation.Conclusions: Blood groups have no association with mental and physical health status. Interventions in early phase to reduce stress in medical students will reduce incidence of obesity and related health disorders in future.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (02) ◽  
pp. 103-110
Author(s):  
S. Tomassi ◽  
M. Ruggeri

Summary Background: The global crisis that began in 2007 has been the most prolonged economic recession since 1929. It has caused worldwide tangible costs in terms of cuts in employment and income, which have been widely recognised also as major social determinants of mental health (1, 2). The so-called “Great Recession” has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable part of society of the whole Eurozone (3). Across Europe, an increase in suicides and deaths rates due to mental and behavioural disorders was reported among those who lost their jobs, houses and economic activities as a consequence of the crisis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-90
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Pesko

Anxiety disorders are commonly experienced by college and university students and should be routinely assessed in mental health settings. Epidemiological studies suggest that the burden of these illnesses has greatly expanded even over the past decade. Factors that contribute to the experience of an anxiety disorder in a young adult student population are considered herein. The best practice for evaluation and treatment of these disorders is presented based on the review of available literature in this field. Special attention is paid to the concept of resilience as it pertains to anxiety disorders in the student population.


Author(s):  
Isabella Giulia Franzoi ◽  
Fabrizio D’Ovidio ◽  
Giuseppe Costa ◽  
Angelo d’Errico ◽  
Antonella Granieri

Background. The present study aimed at comparing self-reported physical health and mental health among university students, workers, and working students aged between 19 years and 29 years. Method. Using data from National Health Surveys held in 2005 and 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 18,612 Italian emerging adults grouped into three groups: university students, workers, and working students. The odds ratios of self-reported anxiety or depression, poor general health, and poor mental health and physical health (as assessed through SF-12) were estimated through logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results. Compared with workers, students showed an increased risk of anxiety or depression and a lower risk of poor general health. Students and working students showed an increased risk of reporting weak mental health compared with that in workers, while students displayed a lower risk of poor physical health. Significant differences were not found between the 2005 and 2013 surveys. Conclusions. These results are of considerable importance for psychologists as well as educational and occupation-based institutions for planning prevention programs and clinical interventions.


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