scholarly journals Fall Break Fallout: Exploring Student Perceptions of the Impact of an Autumn Break on Stress

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Agnew ◽  
Heather Poole ◽  
Ayesha Khan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Student Stress ◽  
Stress Intervention ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Academic Assessments ◽  
The Impact

The mental health of post-secondary students has dominated recent discourse surrounding higher education. Accordingly, many institutions have introduced a break in the fall term, designed to support student well-being. As part of an interdisciplinary, longitudinal study examining the effects of the fall break on student stress, we held focus groups with undergraduates. We observed mixed feedback surrounding this intervention. Students appreciated the fall break as an opportunity to reduce their stress, yet they frequently reported negative impacts of the break on the timing of academic assessments and their ability to effectively manage study time. Based on extensive dialogue with students, we provide recommendations for institutions which have implemented or are considering implementing a fall break as a way to support student mental health. We aim to address the paucity of qualitative research on student stress and develop a deeper understanding of the factors driving students’ responses to stress intervention policies.

scholarly journals INTRODUCING A FALL “WELLBEING” WEEK AT UBCO

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Elnaggar ◽  
Megan Lochhead
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Student Stress ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
University Of British Columbia ◽  
The Status ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Student mental health and well-being are increasingly a focus of post-secondary institutions across Canada. Many academic institutions have opted to offer a fall reading week as a means of reducing student stress and improving their mental health. This paper presents a review of the academic research that has been done to study the impact of a fall reading week on students’ mental health and wellbeing. The paper also presents the status of the fall reading break in the top 30 Canadian Universities. Based on the results of this research, the authors have developed a proposal of introducing a fall reading week at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus (UBCO). The proposal has been accepted in concept by the Provost’s Office as well as by the Senate’s Academic Policy Committee for possible implementation.  

Post-Secondary Stress and Mental Well-Being: A Scoping Review of the Academic Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Brooke Linden ◽  
Heather Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Student Stress ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Post Secondary Students

Post-secondary students have been identified as an at-risk population for chronic stress and poor mental health. We conducted a scoping review of the academic literature surrounding student stress and mental well-being as the first phase of research in the development of Canada’s National Standard for the Psychological Health and Safety of Post-Secondary Students. Major thematic findings included student stress, resilience through effective coping and help-seeking, and programs or strategies to improve campus mental health. Recommendations include a call for increased mental health promotion and mental illness prevention activities that are sensitive to diverse cultures, ethnicities, religions, and sexualities.

The impact of the campus climate and mental health literacy on students’ wellbeing

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan McGuirk ◽  
Patricia Frazer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Campus Climate ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The prevalence of mental health (MH) issues amongst post-secondary students is on the rise. This study aims to assess if a student’s mental well-being (MWB) is impacted by a range of predictors such as gender, education level, mental health literacy (MHL) and the post-secondary campus climate. Design/methodology/approach A correlational, cross-sectional design was implemented amongst a student population (N = 100). A questionnaire was administered electronically to participants’. Levels of MWB, campus climate and MHL were evaluated alongside a number of demographics. Findings Campus climate was a significant predictor of student MWB. Gender differences were discovered amongst MHL levels. MHL was found to be significantly associated with the level of education. Originality/value This study is one of few evaluating the relationship between MWB, MHL and the post-secondary campus climate. Based on these findings, the post-secondary campus may predict student MWB, therefore can be possibly augmented to assist students. Additionally, MHL interventions should focus on education level and gender-specific cohorts to enhance student MWB.

scholarly journals Effects of Touch on Students’ Stress, Happiness, and Well-Being During Animal-Assisted Activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Laura Sokal ◽  
Brianne Bartel ◽  
Taylor Martin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
North America ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
College And University ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Repeated Measures Design

Post-secondary institutions across North America have adopted animal-assisted activities as a way to promote better mental health in their students. The current research study of 242 Canadian college and university students sought to contribute to our collective understanding of the aspects of the programs and characteristics of students that are related to promotion of better mental health in post-secondary students including decreased stress, and increased happiness and well-being. Results of a repeated measures design showed that students demonstrated greater positive effects on stress, happiness, and well-being when they touched dogs as compared to when they observed them. Furthermore, positive mental health outcomes were correlated with greater durations of contact as well as with higher levels of animal affiliation in students. Implications for post-secondary institutions are discussed. 

scholarly journals Food Insecurity Among International Post-Secondary Students Studying on a Canadian Campus: A Qualitative Description Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
Mahitab Hanbazaza ◽  
Maryam Kebbe ◽  
Arnaldo Perez ◽  
Geoff Ball ◽  
Anna P. Farmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Post Secondary Students

Enrollment of international post-secondary students is increasing across Canadian campuses. International post-secondary students may experience challenges in accessing nutritious foods that meet their dietary needs and food preferences. These challenges can pose negative impacts on their health, well-being, and academic achievement. Our aim was to describe international post-secondary students’ perceptions of (1) challenges to attaining food security and (2) consequences of food insecurity on the university experience. We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 11 international post-secondary students who had food insecurity, were enrolled at a public university in Canada, and who had requested emergency foodhampers from the on-campus food bank. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using manifest, inductive content analysis. International post-secondary students reported several logistical issues related to obtaining sufficient food, including a lack of time, limited family support, modest food preparation skills, and low knowledge about supportive services and resources. Students also faced challenges in sourcing culturally appropriate foods, including issues related to food availability, accessibility, acceptability, and affordability. Further, they perceived food insecurity to negatively influence their academic performance through compromised concentration, reduced class and exam attendance, and adverse mpactson physical, mental, and social well-being. Some students reported extreme food deprivation, resulting in hunger. Our results revealed the negative impacts that food insecurity can have on international post-secondary students. Findings underscore the imperative to minimize the occurrence of food insecurity while studying in Canada by introducing and enhancing support systems on campus and in the community to enable food security.

scholarly journals The Influence of COVID-19 on Stress, Substance Use, and Mental Health Among Postsecondary Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 216769682110140
Author(s):  
Zachary R. Patterson ◽  
Robert L. Gabrys ◽  
Rebecca K. Prowse ◽  
Alfonso B. Abizaid ◽  
Kim G. C. Hellemans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Secondary Education ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Face ◽  
Health And Well Being

Emerging adults, including post-secondary education students, are disproportionately affected by the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The speed with which society moved in attempt to minimize the spread of the virus left many students with uncertainty and concern about their health, mental health, and academic futures. Considering that post-secondary students are a population at risk, it is important to determine how students respond in the face of the pandemic, and what coping mechanisms or supports will result in improved mental health outcomes. This knowledge will be helpful for post-secondary institutions to understand how COVID-19 has influenced the health and well-being of their students, and may facilitate the implementation of strategies to support their students. This narrative review explores evidence on how COVID-19 has impacted students with the overall goal to provide a set of recommendations to post-secondary institutions to help meet the evolving needs of this population.

scholarly journals Post-secondary Student Mental Health During COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenney Zhu ◽  
Nicole Racine ◽  
Elisabeth Bailin Xie ◽  
Julianna Park ◽  
Julianna Watt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Post Secondary Students

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed notable challenges to post-secondary students, causing concern for their psychological well-being. In the face of school closures, academic disruptions, and constraints on social gatherings, it is crucial to understand the extent to which mental health among post-secondary students has been impacted in order to inform support implementation for this population. The present meta-analysis examines the global prevalence of clinically significant depression and anxiety among post-secondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several moderator analyses were also performed to examine sources of variability in depression and anxiety prevalence rates. A systematic search was conducted across six databases on May 3, 2021, yielding a total of 176 studies (1,732,456 participants) which met inclusion criteria. Random-effects meta-analyses of 126 studies assessing depression symptoms and 144 studies assessing anxiety symptoms were conducted. The pooled prevalence estimates of clinically elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms for post-secondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic was 30.6% (95% CI: 0.274, 0.340) and 28.2% (CI: 0.246, 0.321), respectively. The month of data collection and geographical region were determined to be significant moderators. However, student age, sex, type (i.e., healthcare student vs. non-healthcare student), and level of training (i.e., undergraduate, university or college generally; graduate, medical, post-doctorate, fellow, trainee), were not sources of variability in pooled rates of depression and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. The current study indicates a call for continued access to mental health services to ensure post-secondary students receive adequate support during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO website: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42021253547.

scholarly journals Not On My Watch: White Time In Post-Secondary Education And Its Impacts On Students’ Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Britt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary Education ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Temporal Constraints ◽  
Post Secondary Education ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Narrative Study ◽  
The Impact

This is a qualitative narrative study of the impact that white time within post-secondary educational institutions has on the mental health of students. White time can be described as the concept of time that has been created to favour the experiences of the dominant white community. Using a narrative approach, the researcher interviewed several participants to understand how current and/or past post-secondary students understand time within these academic institutions. After interviewing two students, and analyzing the data, it was found that both students found the temporal constraints within post-secondary education to be overwhelming. Both participants described situations in which they have experienced white time within their academic careers. Additionally, both participants linked their experiences of white time and of temporal constraints to a negative impact on their mental health.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on the lives and mental health of Australian adolescents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie H. Li ◽  
Joanne R. Beames ◽  
Jill M. Newby ◽  
Kate Maston ◽  
Helen Christensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThere has been significant disruption to the lives and mental health of adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychological and lifestyle impact of the pandemic on Australian adolescents, using an online survey, administered during the outbreak. Self-report surveys were administered online to a sample of 760 Australian adolescents aged 12–18 years assessing impact on a range of domains including behaviour, education, relationships, lifestyle factors (exercise, technology use, and sleep), and mental health outcomes (psychological distress, loneliness, health anxiety and well-being). Results showed that three quarters of the sample experienced a worsening in mental health, since the pandemic began, with negative impacts reported on learning, friendships and family relationships. There were also high higher levels of sleep disturbance, psychological distress and health anxiety, relative to normative samples. Effects on mental health were worse among those who reported a previous diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety relative to those without no such history. Adolescents are already vulnerable to the onset of mental illness at this developmental stage, and the current research underscores the need to find rapid and accessible ways to support adolescent mental health during times of crisis.

scholarly journals An Analysis of the Effect of Academic Stress on Achievement Motivation among Senior-Secondary Students of Mathura District

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 498-502
Author(s):  
Pragalbh Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Students ◽  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Health ◽  
High Motivation ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
High Level ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Senior Secondary ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study is to identify and examine the impact of stress on the achievement motivation of the senior secondary students. The Achievement motivation is a phenomenon of consistently attempting for success and to select target oriented success or failure activities. In the present era, a very high motivation for achievement has become very vital need for the students especially in terms of seeking admission into esteemed or reputed colleges in higher education or to become highly successful in life. The word ‘Stress’ is generally used to describe the feeling of not being able to manage with the things or fatigue or an unwanted pressure. The term stress in this study implies the strain, the inability or the hardship among the senior secondary students. Several studies in this field have revealed that the students are very often exposed to stress and strains which can in-turn have very severe negative impacts on their work, health, life and overall well-being. In order to complete the present study, the researcher has selected a total of 120 senior-secondary students (60 Boys & 60 Girls) randomly from three different schools located in Mathura district. The SPSS package (v-16.0) for undertaking “One way analysis of Variance”, post hoc test and t-test have been utilized to analyse the data. The findings of the present study signify that a moderate level of stress group has a better achievement motivation as compared to the high level and low levels of stress groups. While it is also observed that there exists no relevant difference between the genders (Boys & Girls) and it is also revealed that the girl students have comparatively better achievement motivation than the boy students at senior-secondary level.

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