scholarly journals Being Mindful at University: A Pilot Evaluation of the Feasibility of an Online Mindfulness-Based Mental Health Support Program for Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslav Světlák ◽  
Pavla Linhartová ◽  
Terezia Knejzlíková ◽  
Jakub Knejzlík ◽  
Barbora Kóša ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

University study can be a life period of heightened psychological distress for many students. The development of new preventive and intervention programs to support well-being in university students is a fundamental challenge for mental health professionals. We designed an 8-week online mindfulness-based program (eMBP) combining a face-to-face approach, text, audio, video components, and support psychotherapy principles with a unique intensive reminder system using the Facebook Messenger and Slack applications in two separate runs (N = 692). We assessed the program’s effect on mindful experiencing, perceived stress, emotion regulation strategies, self-compassion, negative affect, and quality of life. The results of the presented pilot study confirmed that eMBP is a feasible and effective tool in university students’ mental health support. The students who completed the eMBP reported a reduction of perceived stress with a large effect size (pη2 = 0.42) as well as a decrease of negative affect experience frequency and intensity (pη2 = 0.31), an increase of being mindful in their life (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire subscales:pη2 = 0.21, 0.27, 0.25, 0.28, 0.28), and a higher rate of self-compassion (pη2 = 0.28) with a medium effect size. A small effect size was found in the frequency of using a cognitive reappraisal strategy (pη2 = 0.073). One new result is the observation of an eMBP effect (pη2 = 0.27) on the decrease in attributed importance to the quality-of-life components replicated in two consecutive runs of the program. The study affirms that mindfulness-based interventions can be effectively delivered in an eHealth form to university students.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Impact of a Daily Rehabilitation Program on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and the Quality of Life of People with Mental Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1434
Author(s):  
Joanna Smolarczyk-Kosowska ◽  
Anna Szczegielniak ◽  
Mateusz Legutko ◽  
Adam Zaczek ◽  
Łukasz Kunert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
The Impact

Community psychiatry is a modern and effective form of care for patients with mental disorders. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a rehabilitation program at the Mental Health Support Centre in Tarnowskie Góry (Poland) on reducing severity of anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as improving overall quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 35 patients, examined with an authors’ questionnaire on sociodemographic data, the Hospital Scale of Anxiety and Depression (HADS) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Data was obtained during the first national lockdown and compared to data gathered before the pandemic on the same study group. Imposed restrictions, negative emotional state during lockdown, subjectively assessed higher health risk and a low level of knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly correlate with a severity of depression and anxiety, as well as general quality of life. However, the comparison of the results obtained in HADS and SF-36 scales show a significant improvement in both categories. Rehabilitation activities, including physical training, cognitive exercise and social therapy, reduce the severity of the symptoms and have a positive effect on the overall quality of life in patients suffering from schizophrenia and affective disorders. Therefore, holistic mental health support services may positively affect building an individual resilience. The severity of anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic shows a negative correlation with the patient’s age.

scholarly journals Predictors of Mental Health Help Seeking Among Cambodian Adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sareth Khann ◽  
Dang Hoang Minh ◽  
Bahr Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Culturally Specific ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

Mental health problems are a major global burden. Understanding what motivates people to seek help for mental health problems thus is important so society can best support people in help-seeking. The present study investigated predictors of mental health help-seeking among Cambodian adolescents. Participants were 391 Cambodian high-school students, assessed on (a) culturally-specific mental health syndromes (Culturally-Specific Syndrome Inventory); (b) depression (PHQ-9); (c) anxiety (GAD-7); (d) functional impairment (Brief Impairment Scale); (e) quality of life (Q-LES-Q-SF); and (f) help-seeking from different sources (e.g., friends, psychologists) (General Help-Seeking Questionnaire).  Help seeking from mental health professionals was predicted by mental health symptoms but not by life impairment or quality of life, suggesting that these constructs are not understood as part of adolescent mental health in Cambodia. However, informal support was predicted by impairment and quality of life, suggesting that Cambodian adolescents are aware of life impairment and quality of life, desire to improve their lives, but are unaware of these constructs’ connection to mental health. Results suggest areas for public health campaigns in Cambodia to target to increase adolescent mental health support seeking. Results also suggest it may be useful to develop informal online mental health support resources for Cambodian adolescents.

scholarly journals Disparities in Mental Health Quality of Life Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White LGB Midlife and Older Adults and the Influence of Lifetime Discrimination, Social Connectedness, Socioeconomic Status, and Perceived Stress

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 991-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Jun Kim ◽  
Karen I. Fredriksen-Goldsen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Health Quality ◽  
Health Quality Of Life ◽  
Hispanic White

We assessed factors contributing to ethnic and racial disparities in mental health quality of life (MHQOL) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) midlife and older adults. We utilized cross-sectional survey data from a sample of non-Hispanic White and Hispanic LGB adults aged 50 and older. Structural equation modeling was used to test the indirect effect of ethnicity/race on MHQOL via explanatory factors including social connectedness, lifetime discrimination, socioeconomic status (SES), and perceived stress. Hispanics reported significantly lower levels of MHQOL, compared to non-Hispanic Whites. In the final model, the association between ethnicity/race and MHQOL was explained by higher levels of perceived stress related to lower SES, higher frequency of lifetime discrimination, and lack of social connectedness among Hispanic LGB adults. This study suggests that perceived stress related to social disadvantage and marginalization plays an important role in MHQOL disparities among Hispanic LGB midlife and older adults.

scholarly journals Relación entre variables sociodemográficas, patogénicas y salutogénicas, con la calidad de vida en estudiantes universitarios colombianos

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
Fernando Riveros ◽  
Stefano Vinaccia-Alpi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Predictive Variables ◽  
Calidad De Vida ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Salud Mental

Abstract: Relationship between sociodemographic, pathogenic and salutogenic variables and the quality of life of Colombian university students. Several studies have analyzed the quality of life related to health, but few in healthy population, ignoring its predictive variables. The objective of this research was to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic, pathogenic and salutogenic variables, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Five hundred and three university students of 17 Colombian universities participated in the study. Several instruments related to the study variables were applied. The results showed: (1) High scores in HRQOL, anxiety, perceived stress, resilience and optimism, and low scores in depression; (2) inverse relationship between HRQOL and anxiety, depression and perceived stress; (3) inverse relationship between vitality and depression and perceived stress; (4) optimism showed a direct relationship to the mental component of quality of life; (5) higher scores for men in HRQOL and resilience, and for anxiety in women; and (6) the mental health component in men is explained by perceived stress and depression, whereas in women it is explained by perceived stress, depression, anxiety and the current semester. In conclusion, HRQOL scoring is mainly associated with pathogenic variables.Resumen: Varios estudios han analizado la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, pero pocos en población sana, desconociendo sus variables predictoras. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la relación entre variables sociodemográficas, patogénicas y salutogénicas con la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS). Participaron 503 universitarios de 17 universidades colombianas a los que se les aplicó diversos instrumentos relacionados con las variables de estudio. Los resultados mostraron: (1) Altas puntuaciones en CVRS, ansiedad, estrés percibido, resiliencia y optimismo, y bajos niveles de depresión; (2) relaciones inversas entre ansiedad, depresión y estrés percibido con CVRS; (3) relaciones inversas entre depresión y estrés percibido con vitalidad; (4) el optimismo mostró una relación directa con el componente mental de calidad de vida; (5) mayores puntuaciones para hombres en CVRS y resiliencia, y para ansiedad en mujeres y (6) el componente de salud mental en hombres, lo explica el estrés percibido y la depresión, mientras que en mujeres lo explica el estrés percibido, depresión, ansiedad y semestre en curso. Puede indicarse que las puntuaciones en CVRS están asociadas principalmente a variables patogénicas.

scholarly journals The Impact of Health Behaviors on Health-Related Quality of Life in College Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 439-439
Author(s):  
Kayla Parsons ◽  
Leigh Neptune ◽  
Ashley Reynolds ◽  
Amelia Sullivan ◽  
Carol Byrd-Bredbenner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Objectives The objective was to explore the influence of health behaviors on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among college undergraduate students. Methods A convenience sample of college students completed an online survey consisting of the Center for Disease Control's HRQOL modules, perceived stress scale, sleep questionnaire, and the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable (FV) Screener. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported height and weight. Independent t-test were used to compare HRQOL between students who consumed above/below average fruit and vegetable intake. Two multiple regression analyses were used to determine health factors that predicted better HRQOL. Results Participants (N = 655) were 19.8 ± 1.5 years old, female (63%), and white (84%). The average FV intake was 2.2 servings per day. Students who consumed more than the average intake of FV, reported more days/month (d/m) feeling healthy and full of energy (11.9 ± 8.6 vs. 8.9 ± 7.9, P < 0.001), and reported less d/m of poor mental health (8.5 ± 8.1 vs. 11.1 ± 9.8, P < 0.001) compared to those who consumed less than the average. Two predictors explained 38.5% of variance in d/m when mental health was not good (r2 = 0.38, F (2,639) = 200.11, P < 0.001): perceived stress (β = 0.61, P < 0.001) and FV intake (β = −0.08, P < 0.05). Four predictors explained 30.0% of the variance in d/m feeling happy and full of energy (r2 = 0.29, F (4,549) = 58.6, P < 0.001): perceived stress (β = −0.46, P < 0.001), BMI (β = −0.11, P < 0.01), FV intake (β = 0.16, P < 0.001), and hours of sleep (β = 0.08, P < 0.05). Conclusions This data shows that students who consumed above average FV intake reported more days of feeling happy and full of energy and less days of poor mental health, and that modifiable behaviors (FV intake, stress, sleep) impact HRQOL of young adults. This research provides justification for college aimed wellness interventions to include both nutrition education and mental health resources to improve overall HRQOL. 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.

scholarly journals The Psychological Impact of Coronavirus on University Students and its Socio-Economic Determinants in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110562
Author(s):  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Faizah Shahudin ◽  
Vincent J. Hooper ◽  
Waqar Akram ◽  
Rosmaiza B. Abdul Ghani
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Anxiety Level ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this article is to examine the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) upon university students’ anxiety level and to find the factors associated with the anxiety level in Malaysia. We collected data from 958 students from 16 different universities using an originally designed questionnaire. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7-item (GAD-7) was used to estimate the anxiety. Then we applied the ordered logit model to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and factors associated with the anxiety level. We find that 12.3% of students were normal, whereas 30.5% were experiencing mild anxiety, 31.1% moderate anxiety, and 26.1% severe anxiety. Surprisingly, only 37.2% of students were aware of mental health support that was provided by their universities. However, age above 20 years (OR = 1.30), ethnicity Chinese (OR = 1.72), having any other disease (OR = 2.0), decreased family income (OR = 1.71), more time spent on watching COVID-19-related news (OR = 1.52), and infected relative or friends (OR = 1.62) were risk factors for anxiety among students. We conclude that the government of Malaysia should monitor the mental health of the universities’ students more closely and universities should open online mental health support clinics to avoid the adverse impacts of anxiety.

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