scholarly journals Development, Implementation and First Evaluation of an Online Portal to Promote the Mental Health of University Students (me@JGU)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1179
Author(s):  
Caroline Lutz-Kopp ◽  
Ursula Luka-Krausgrill ◽  
Bettina Honsbrok ◽  
Bozana Meinhardt-Injac ◽  
Maria Gropalis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
At Risk Students ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Online Portal ◽  
Exam Preparation ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Survey Results

Background: University students encounter various stressors such as exam preparation, workload and economic concerns. Having to deal with a multitude of stressors can lead to mental health problems and have a negative impact on academic outcomes in students attending university. This paper describes the development and usability evaluation of an open and easily accessible online portal (me@JGU) designed to help students build skills they need to cope with common stressors and manage their own mental health. Methods: We developed a website that addresses the most common stressors among university students and offers strategies for dealing with difficult situations. Initial evaluation results were collected using website statistics and a short anonymous survey regarding the attractiveness and usability of the website. Results: Over an eight-month period, there were 5739 visitors, a total of 16,495 page views and 3748 downloads. The survey results indicate that me@JGU covers relevant topics and that the students like the layout. Conclusions: Online interventions promoting mental health of university populations are easily accessible and cost effective for large populations. They may prevent study difficulties, inform students about mental health and offer possible solutions. In addition, at-risk students can receive information about other relevant resources, and feel encouraged to access support and treatment.

Tendency to stigmatization of mentally ill people by university students in the Czech Republic

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s282-s283
Author(s):  
M. Holubova ◽  
J. Prasko ◽  
H. Klimusova
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Mental Disease ◽  
High Tendency ◽  
The Czech Republic

IntroductionMental illness is still surrounded by false myths, stereotypes and prejudices. Stigmatization is a social problem on a national and international level and may lead to discrimination.ObjectivesStigmatization has a negative impact on patient's life, treatment seeking, self-image, adherence and mental health recovery.AimsThe aim of the study was to examined the tendency to stigmatization mentally ill people by university students in the Czech Republic.MethodsThe constructed questionnaire called Tendency to stigmatization TTS (Cronbach's alpha = 0.952), demographic questionnaire and tentative shortened version of personality questionnaire NEO-PI-R were administered on Facebook offered to student groups.ResultsThe statistical analysis of data from 1350 students showed a relatively high tendency to stigmatization depending on age (stigma is lower with age), gender (women have a lower TTS than men), studied university, faculty, educational focus. The lowest rate of stigmatization had students of psychology. Students of economics, management, informatics and engineering disciplines stigmatize in a high degree. Social oriented students had the lowest TTS, technically orientated the highest. The TTS also depends on personal agreeableness (low-friendly students had a higher TTS) and neuroticism (mentally unstable students had slight TTS). Lower TTS had students who attended psychopathological/psychiatric subject at school, also students, who personally met or know somebody with mental disease and students with mental health problems (Table 1).ConclusionsOur study suggests the importance of stigmatization already among university students according to their academic orientation. Understanding the process of stigmatization is important for future efforts to find possible solutions and de-stigmatization of mental illness in society.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Physical and Psychological Benefits of Written Emotional Expression

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éva Kállay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Cost Effective Treatment ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract. The last several decades have witnessed a substantial increase in the number of individuals suffering from both diagnosable and subsyndromal mental health problems. Consequently, the development of cost-effective treatment methods, accessible to large populations suffering from different forms of mental health problems, became imperative. A very promising intervention is the method of expressive writing (EW), which may be used in both clinically diagnosable cases and subthreshold symptomatology. This method, in which people express their feelings and thoughts related to stressful situations in writing, has been found to improve participants’ long-term psychological, physiological, behavioral, and social functioning. Based on a thorough analysis and synthesis of the published literature (also including most recent meta-analyses), the present paper presents the expressive writing method, its short- and long-term, intra-and interpersonal effects, different situations and conditions in which it has been proven to be effective, the most important mechanisms implied in the process of recovery, advantages, disadvantages, and possible pitfalls of the method, as well as variants of the original technique and future research directions.

scholarly journals From Stress to Psychopathology: Relationship with Self-Reassurance and Self-Criticism in Czech University Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Jaroslava Dosedlova ◽  
Denise Andrzejewski ◽  
Greta Kaluzeviciute ◽  
Makoto Sakai
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Transactional Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
As Stress

AbstractPsychological stress has become a major concern, potentially leading to diverse health problems including psychopathology such as depression and anxiety. Transactional Model of Stress and Coping is an established model, conceptualizing stressful experiences via person–environment relationship. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the pathway from stress to depression/anxiety, with a focus on self-criticism (inadequate-self and hated-self) and self-reassurance (reassured-self) in Czech students who suffered from high prevalence of mental health problems. Convenience sample of 119 undergraduates completed the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and the Forms of the Self-Criticizing/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale. Correlation and path analyses were conducted. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were used to aid an accurate and complete report of the study. Depression, anxiety, and stress were positively associated with inadequate-self and hated-self while negatively associated with reassured-self. Both inadequate-self and hated-self partially mediated the stress–depression and stress–anxiety relationships, whereas reassured-self only partially mediated the stress–depression relationship. Inadequate-self had greater impact on the stress–depression/anxiety pathways than hated-self and reassured-self. Findings indicate that clinical treatment may benefit from targeting the feelings of inadequacy to prevent stress progressing to psychopathology. This is particularly relevant as stress levels are rising globally. Our findings offer developments to the Transactional Model, and help practitioners and educators identify solutions to protect mental health of Czech university students.

scholarly journals Health risk assessment and countermeasure analysis of the elderly population exposed to PM2.5 microenvironment

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yan Xu ◽  
Wantian Cui
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Exposure Concentration ◽  
Physical Diseases ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: China’s atmospheric PM2.5 pollution is serious, and PM2.5 exerts a negative impact on the human respiratory system, cardiovascular, and mental health, and even more serious health risk for the elderly with weak immunity. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to analyse the impacts of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure on the health of the elderly and provide corresponding countermeasures. METHODS: The survey subjects are 118 retired elderly people in the community. PM2.5 exposure concentrations are monitored in summer (June 10 ∼ July 10, 2019) and winter (November 25 ∼ December 25, 2019). RESULTS: The exposure concentration in winter is higher than that in summer, with statistical difference (P <  0.05). Under the impact of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure, smoking in the elderly can increase the concentration of PM2.5, and long-term exposure to PM2.5 in the elderly can cause mental health problems. CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure of the elderly to the PM2.5 microenvironment leads to physical diseases and even psychological problems, which requires attention.

scholarly journals Depressive Symptoms in Swiss University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Correlates

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Volken ◽  
Annina Zysset ◽  
Simone Amendola ◽  
Anthony Klein Swormink ◽  
Marion Huber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
National Population ◽  
Student Cohorts ◽  
Containment Measures

Background: COVID-19 containment measures and the uncertainties associated with the pandemic may have contributed to changes in mental health risks and mental health problems in university students. Due to the high burden of the disease, depression is of particular concern. However, knowledge about the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Swiss university students during the pandemic is limited. We therefore assessed the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their change during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large sample of Swiss university students. Methods: We assessed depressive symptoms in two cross-sectional cohorts of university students (n = 3571) in spring and autumn 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and compared them with a matched sample of the Swiss national population (n = 2328). Binary logistic regression models estimated prevalence with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Adjusted prevalence of depressive symptoms in female (30.8% (95% CI: 28.6–33.0)) and male students (24.8% (95% CI: 21.7–28.1)) was substantially higher than in the matching female (10.9% (95% CI: 8.9–13.2)) and male (8.5% (6.6–11.0)) pre-pandemic national population. Depressive symptoms in the two consecutive student cohorts did not significantly differ. Conclusions: More than a quarter of Swiss university students reported depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was substantially higher as compared to the matched general population. Universities should introduce measures to support students in such times of crisis and gain an understanding of the factors impacting mental health positively or negatively and related to university structures and procedures.

scholarly journals Physical exercise, mental health problems, and suicide attempts in university students

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Grasdalsmoen ◽  
Hege Randi Eriksen ◽  
Kari Jussie Lønning ◽  
Børge Sivertsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
University Students ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems

scholarly journals Social anxiety symptoms and body image dissatisfaction in medical students: prevalence and correlates

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline M. Oliveira Regis ◽  
Ana Teresa A. Ramos-Cerqueira ◽  
Maria Cristina P. Lima ◽  
Albina R. Torres
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Making Friends

ABSTRACT Objective Social anxiety disorder (SAD) and body image dissatisfaction (BID) are common problems among college students, but few studies focused on medical students. We aimed to estimate the prevalence, severity and correlates of SAD symptoms and BID among medical students of a Brazilian public university. Methods A cross-sectional study with 479 students, using structured instruments: Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Bivariate analyses were followed by logistic regression models to obtain independent predictors of SAD symptoms, BID and both outcomes combined. Results Most students were single (99%) and female (58.7%). The prevalence rates of SAD symptoms (SPIN ≥ 19) and BID (BSQ ≥ 81) were 36.3% and 34.7%, respectively. Depressive symptoms (BDI ≥ 19) occurred in 8.8% of the sample. SAD symptoms were independently associated with: BID, thoughts of abandoning the course, difficulty making friends, depressive symptoms, and mental health treatment prior to university. Besides SAD symptoms, BID was associated with female sex, difficulty making friends, depressive symptoms, and body mass index (BMI). Seventy-eight students (16.3%) presented SAD symptoms and BID, which was associated with female sex, difficulty making friends, dissatisfaction with the course, depressive symptoms and BMI. Conclusion SAD symptoms and BID are common and related problems that should be screened for among medical students. The identification of specific correlates could contribute to the elaboration of preventive measures, minimizing the distress and negative impact of these mental health problems on relationships and academic performance.

scholarly journals The Cost Effectiveness of Ecotherapy as a Healthcare Intervention, Separating the Wood from the Trees

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11599
Author(s):  
Sebastian Hinde ◽  
Laura Bojke ◽  
Peter Coventry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Healthcare Intervention ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Patient Pathways ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Internationally, shifts to more urbanised populations, and resultant reductions in engagements with nature, have been a contributing factor to the mental health crisis facing many developed and developing countries. While the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced recent trends in many countries to give access to green spaces more weight in political decision making, nature-based activities as a form of intervention for those with mental health problems constitute a very small part of patient pathways of care. Nature-based interventions, such as ecotherapy, are increasingly used as therapeutic solutions for people with common mental health problems. However, there is little data about the potential costs and benefits of ecotherapy, making it difficult to offer robust assessments of its cost-effectiveness. This paper explores the capacity for ecotherapy to be cost-effective as a healthcare intervention. Using a pragmatic scoping review of the literature to understand where the potential costs and health benefit lie, we applied value of information methodology to identify what research is needed to inform future cost-effectiveness assessments. We show that there is the potential for ecotherapy for people with mild to moderate common mental health problems to be cost-effective but significant further research is required. Furthermore, nature-based interventions such as ecotherapy also confer potential social and wider returns on investment, strengthening the case for further research to better inform robust commissioning.

scholarly journals Exploring the quality of life and psychological symptoms of university students in Cyprus during the Covid-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 110-121
Author(s):  
Hadjicharalambous Demetris ◽  
Loucia Demetriou ◽  
Koulla Erotocritou
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Idioms Of Distress

The onset of the infectious disease Covid19 originating in Wuhan, China, took over the world in December 2019 and was declared a pandemic in January 2020.  Empirical evidence resulting from relevant research illustrated that the effects of the pandemic itself but also of the strict measures to contain the spread of the virus on the mental health and well-being of affected populations were just as unanticipated as the pandemic itself. Data led to the identification of six idioms of distress: (1) Demoralization and pessimism towards the future, (2) anguish and stress, (3) self-depreciation, (4) social withdrawal and isolation, (5) somatization, (6) withdrawal into oneself. Our research explores the psychological impact of the Covid19 pandemic on college students and their quality of life. The study took place in Cyprus with 356 young participants, whereas 256 were female (72%) and 100 were male (28%). They all completed the General Health Questionnaire-28 and the Life Satisfaction Inventory (LSI). The present study's findings revealed that six factors, including residence without family, the deterioration of the financial situation of the family, the loss of employment, the deterioration of social relationships, young age, and gender, have significantly affected in a negative way the mental health and quality of life of young people. Research findings revealed that the strict lockdown and physical/social isolation measures had a significant adverse effect on our sample, whereas participants showed increased symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and somatization. Young adults who lost their jobs during the pandemic or had a significant decrease in their family income, and students who stayed away from their families, experienced a negative impact on their quality of life and had to cope with more mental health problems.

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