scholarly journals ‘A Healthy CIT’: An Investigation into Student Health Metrics, Lifestyle Behaviours and the Predictors of Positive Mental Health in an Irish Higher Education Setting

Author(s):  
Bickerdike ◽  
Dinneen ◽  
O’Neill

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are potent health promotion settings, uniquely positioned to aid societal efforts to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs). International evidence suggests that health metrics and lifestyle behaviours of higher education students are sub-optimal, yet a dearth of contemporary Irish data exists. This study aimed to examine sex differences in student lifestyle behaviours and identify significant predictors of positive mental health in an Irish HEI setting. An online questionnaire instrument distributed to all registered students (n = 11,261) gathered data regarding a multitude of health and lifestyle domains. Many items were adapted from previous Irish research. Further validated scales included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Mental-Health Index 5 (MHI-5) and the Energy and Vitality Index (EVI). Self-reported height/body mass were also recorded. In total, 2267 responses were analysed (51.7% female, 48.3% male). Both sexes demonstrated poor sleeping patterns, hazardous drinking and sub-optimal fruit and vegetable intake. The calculated prevalence of overweight/obesity was 38.2%. Both sexes underestimated obesity. Males underestimated and females overestimated overweight. Males displayed riskier behavioural patterns with regard to illicit substances, drinking, and sexual partners. Females reported greater psychological distress. Multivariate linear regression identified 8 variables as predictors of positive mental health, accounting for 37% of the variance in EVI scores. In conclusion, HEI students would benefit from sex-specific multi-level health promotion initiatives to remove macro-level barriers to healthier lifestyles.

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen S. Conley ◽  
Jenna B. Shapiro ◽  
Alexandra C. Kirsch ◽  
Joseph A. Durlak

Author(s):  
Evangeline Tabor ◽  
Praveetha Patalay ◽  
David Bann

AbstractDespite increasing policy focus on mental health provision for higher education students, it is unclear whether they have worse mental health outcomes than their non-student peers. In a nationally-representative UK study spanning 2010–2019 (N = 11,519), 17–24 year olds who attended higher education had lower average psychological distress (GHQ score difference =  − 0.37, 95% CI − 0.60, − 0.08) and lower odds of case-level distress than those who did not (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.81, 1.02). Increases in distress between 2010 and 2019 were similar in both groups. Accessible mental health support outside higher education settings is necessary to prevent further widening of socioeconomic inequalities in mental health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (22) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Herdian Herdian ◽  
Fatin Wahidah ◽  
Totok Haryanto

Introduction: As long as the world is still in a pandemic, an individual must maintain his mental health to deal with problems or impacts arising from a pandemic situation. The growth mindset is believed to be a predictor in influencing a person's mental health. We tested how the growth mindset influences on positive mental health in college students during a pandemic. Method: A total of 567 students from universities in Indonesia randomly completed an online questionnaire. The data collection tool uses Positive mental Health and Implicit Theory Measures scale on two dimensions of growth mindset: intelligence mindset and moral mindset. Results: The results show that the intelligence mindset affects positive mental Health, the moral mindset as well. In addition, the two variables together, intelligence mindset and moral mindset, affect positive mental health. Conclusions: The three hypotheses proposed can be accepted statistically, but the magnitude of the influence of each hypothesis is very small. The implications and research suggestions are discussed in depth in the discussion.


Author(s):  
B.L. Radhakrishnan ◽  
E. Kirubakaran ◽  
R.V. Belfin ◽  
Sudhakar Selvam ◽  
K. Martin Sagayam ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor Hill ◽  
Lindsay Heyland ◽  
Jodi Langley ◽  
Alanna Kaser ◽  
Sophie Keddy

Objective: To chart the body of literature on Positive Mental Health Promotion (PMHP) programing and to document the current PMHP in one Canadian province to provide insight into the types, scope, and nature of the programs currently and historically available to community residents in this province. Introduction: Positive mental health promotion is an emerging field within community mental health. Programming and policy efforts devoted to promoting mental health are emerging. These efforts are varied in scope and nature, and there is little consensus or evidence based best practices, and alignment with the provincial mental health policy.Inclusion criteria: Peer-reviewed literature relevant to community mental health promotion, and grey literature that contains details of relevant programs accessible to the general community.Methods: A preliminary search strategy in PubMed, EBSCO, and PsychINFO was developed with a librarian and a JBI-trained researcher. Primary studies published after 2000 in English evaluating or documenting PMHPs, will be included. Grey literature from an environmental scan of existing local programs will be included. Data to be extracted includes, study methodology and methods, program scope, content, materials, evaluation and outcomes


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