Academic Stress and Mental Well-Being in College Students: Correlations, Affected Groups, and COVID-19

Roles of self-efficacy and self-control in the association between relative deprivation and psychological well-being among undergraduate students during COVID-19 pandemic

Prior research show that relative deprivation can decrease individuals' psychological well-being. However, the underlying mechanism between relative deprivation and psychological well-being remains unclear. To explore the mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-control on the relationship between relative deprivation and psychological well-being. 426 undergraduate students submitted the online survey that assessed their psychological well-being, relative deprivation, self-efficacy and self-control. Students experienced high levels of psychological well-being, moderate to high levels of relative deprivation and moderate levels of self-efficacy and self-control. Parallel mediators of self-efficacy and self-control on the relationship between relative deprivation and psychological well-being were significant (each p < 0.01). This study explores the underlying mechanism between relative deprivation and psychological well-being by identifying the parallel mediators of self-efficacy and self-control. Effective interventions should be taken to alleviate students' relative deprivation and promote their self-efficacy, self-control and psychological well-being during future pandemics.

Unveiling the impact of school organizational justice on students' professional commitment through academic stress mediation

Accurately understanding the critical elements influencing college students' professional commitment is both an urgent practical requirement and a critical theoretical proposition in today's intensely competitive job market. In order to provide new light on career development in the context of higher education, this study intends to investigate the complex interactions among college students between perceived organizational justice, academic stress, and professional commitment. Using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and structural equation modeling, we carried out a thorough investigation of H University's full-time undergraduate students in Central China in order to thoroughly examine our hypothesis. The results show that students' professional commitment is much lower when they view organizational justice to be lacking, and that there is a partial mediating role for academic stress in this relationship. Interestingly, organizational justice has a positive correlation with professional commitment and a negative correlation with academic stress. These findings provide educators and policymakers with insightful information, indicating that, in an increasingly competitive labor market, professional commitment is largely dependent on students' ability to manage their academic stress and develop a sense of organizational justice. This study adds a new understanding of career development in higher education settings by merging professional commitment research with organizational justice theory. It also has significant implications for educational practices and career support measures.

The impact of depression and anxiety on mobile phone addiction and the mediating effect of self-esteem

Mobile phone addiction has become a widespread phenomenon in Chinese society, attracting significant social attention. However, there is still limited understanding of complexities and relationships concerning anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and mobile phone addiction (MPA) among college students. To better understand the relationships among depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and mobile phone addiction, the aim of this study was to explore these relationships, analyze the factors influencing mobile phone addiction, and examine the mediating effects of anxiety and self-esteem on the relationship between depression and mobile phone addiction. Data from 2023 were collected, and the SDS depression scale, SAS anxiety scale, mobile phone addiction scale, and Robert self-esteem scale were employed. Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling revealed significant associations between depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and mobile phone addiction. Further analysis indicated that anxiety mediated the relationship between depression and mobile phone addiction, meanwhile, self-esteem mediated the relationship between depression and mobile phone addiction. Self-esteem also mediated the relationship between anxiety and mobile phone addiction. Additionally, anxiety and self-esteem played sequential mediating roles in mobile phone addiction. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between depression and mobile phone addiction. The discussion provides practical and effective recommendations for the prevention and intervention of mobile phone addiction among college students.

Exploring the Quality of Life of University Students in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Survey Using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) Assessment

PURPOSE

To comprehensively assess the quality of life (QoL) of Egyptian university students.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional online study.

SETTING

Online settings of university students from August to October 2023.

SUBJECTS

University students aged 18-25 from various institutions in Egypt.

MEASURES

Physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.0. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to detect significant associations while Spearman correlation was used for correlation analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1930 Egyptian university students were included. Students showed outperformance in the psychological health and social relationships domains, with medians of 58 ± 20.8 and 58 ± 25, respectively, compared to physical health with a median of 46 ± 17.8 and environmental health with a median score of 16.6 ± 21.9. Non-medical students reported higher QoL scores, particularly in physical, psychological, and social domains, compared to their medical counterparts (P-values <0.001, 0.007, and 0.002, respectively). No significant differences were observed between genders in any of the domains. Academic performance satisfaction significantly correlated with higher QoL scores across all domains (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This multi-center study sheds light on diverse aspects influencing QoL of Egyptian university students. The findings underscore the importance of addressing academic stressors, promoting health behaviors, and tailoring interventions based on students' academic backgrounds with larger and more representative samples.

Association between perceived stress, emotional eating, and adherence to healthy eating patterns among Saudi college students: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

College students are vulnerable to high perceived stress (PS) and emotional eating (EE) levels, which are associated with their food consumption. In this study, we aimed to examine the links between perceived stress, emotional eating, and adherence to a healthy eating index. Furthermore, we aimed to test whether sociodemographic data and health measures, including body mass index and physical activity, are associated with perceived stress, emotional eating, or healthy eating index.

METHODS

This study included students from King Abdulaziz University. The participants completed validated perceived stress, emotional eating, and short healthy eating index surveys via an online questionnaire from September to December 2022. Univariate linear regression analysis was performed to examine the association between perceived stress, emotional eating, and adherence to healthy eating index using the short healthy eating index.

RESULTS

Of 434 students (49.8% male, mean age 21.7 ± 3.0 years), 11.3% had low, 72.0% moderate, and 16.7% high perceived stress. Students with moderate perceived stress had the highest short healthy eating index score (P = 0.001), outperforming those with low and high perceived stress for fruit juice (P = 0.002), fruits (P[Formula: see text]0.001), vegetables (P=0.03), greens and beans (P<0.001), whole grains (P=0.009), and seafood/plant proteins (P = 0.001) consumption. Also, emotional eating was significantly associated with short healthy eating index score (P = 0.04), fruit juice (P = 0.01) fruit consumption (P<0.001), added sugar (P=0.02) and saturated fatty acids (P = 0.03). Academic major was associated with perceived stress (P = 0.006) and emotional eating (p=0.04). Higher physical activity levels were associated with low perceived stress levels (P<0.001) and high short healthy eating index score (P=0.001), while high body mass index was associated with high emotional eating score (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings confirmed that students are highly vulnerable to moderate and high perceived stress levels. Furthermore, high perceived stress is inversely associated with adherence to a healthy eating index, especially for fruits, vegetables, greens and beans, whole grains, and seafood and plant proteins consumption. Emotional eating, also, associated with students dietary pattern. Physical activity will be beneficial for reducing the level of perceived stress and improving overall dietary patterns.

The Scholarship of Wellness and Mindfulness to Support First-Year Nursing Students' Response to Stress

ABSTRACT

An educational innovation centered on mindfulness was developed to support the well-being of first-year nursing students at a large public university. Students participated in a week-long experiential learning program before their first semester. They then enrolled in a one-credit course that fostered well-being through research and evidence-based mindfulness practices. The course was highly ranked because of the quality of learning, environment, and theories presented, indicating that supportive wellness initiatives are acceptable and feasibility for future implementation.

Microbial Ecology and Metabolism of Emerging Adulthood: Gut Microbiome Insights from a College Freshman Cohort

The human gut microbiome (GM) undergoes dynamic changes throughout life, transitioning from infancy to adulthood. Despite improved understanding over the past years about how genetics, lifestyle, and the external environment impact the GM, limited research has explored the GM's evolution during late-stage adolescence, especially among college students. This study addresses this gap by investigating the longitudinal dynamics of fecal microbial, functional, and metabolomic signatures in a diverse group of first-year, dormitory-housed college students. A total of 485 stool samples from 246 participants were analyzed, identifying four primary GM community types, predominantly led by Bacteroides (66.8% of samples), as well as Blautia and Prevotella. The Prevotella/Bacteroides (P/B) ratio emerged as a robust GM composition indicator, predictively associated with 15 metabolites. Notably, higher P/B ratios correlated negatively with p-cresol sulfate and cholesterol sulfate, implying potential health implications, while positively correlating with kynurenic acid. Distinct GM transition and stability patterns were found from a detailed longitudinal subset of 93 participants over an academic year. Parasutterella and the Ruminococcus gnavus group exhibited positive associations with compositional variability, whereas Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium ventriosum group displayed negative associations, the latter suggesting stabilizing roles in the GM. Most notably, nearly half of the longitudinal cohort experienced GM community shifts, emphasizing long-term GM adaptability. Comparing individuals with stable community types to those undergoing transitions, we observed significant differences in microbial composition and diversity, signifying substantial shifts in the microbiota during transitions. Although diet-related variables contributed to some observed variance, diet did not independently predict the probability of switching between community types within the study's timeframe via multi-state Markov modeling. Furthermore, exploration of stability within dynamic microbiomes among the longitudinal cohort experiencing shifts in community types revealed that microbiome taxa at the genus level exhibited significantly higher total variance than estimated functional and fecal metabolomic features. This suggests tight control of function and metabolism, despite community shifting. Overall, this study highlights the dynamic nature of the late-stage adolescent GM, the role of core taxa, metabolic pathways, the fecal metabolome, and lifestyle and dietary factors, contributing to our understanding of GM assembly and potential health implications during this life phase.

Acceptability, engagement, and preliminary efficacy of a college human physiology course with integrated mindfulness practice to support student wellbeing

Objective

To evaluate the acceptability of and engagement with an undergraduate human physiology course embedded with mindfulness practice. To assess its preliminary efficacy on student mindfulness and wellbeing.

Methods

Students (N = 36, 17% freshman, 33% sophomore, 22% junior, and 28% senior) answered online surveys at course completion. Primary outcomes were course ratings, assignment and assessment completion rates, minutes, types of mindfulness practice, changes in trait mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS), and self-reported wellbeing outcomes. We ran Chi-square goodness of fit tests and paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to decide if the outcomes differed significantly post-class. We tested the dose-response relation between mindfulness practice time and trait mindfulness and whether the out-of-class practice time was consistent across the weeks with generalized linear mixed-effect models.

Results

All participants reported finding the course enjoyable and that they would recommend it to their friends. They practiced for an average of 66 (SD = 27) min per week in the class and 112 (SD = 59) min on their own. The most common out-of-class practices were mindful movements, sitting meditation, and breathing. Per self-reports, the course increased student understanding of specific mindfulness practices and appreciation for their body. It improved wellbeing and trait mindfulness (MAAS mean within-person change = 1.2, SD = 0.8, p < 0.00001). We found no does-response relation between practice time and trait mindfulness.

Conclusions

This pilot study supports that incorporating mindfulness practice into college-level courses may promote student wellbeing and such approaches warrant further investigation.

Comparative Analysis of Stress Levels Among Undergraduate Students at St. John's College, Agra

Background Stress is prevalent among college students, impacting their mental health and academic performance. Understanding the distribution and determinants of stress levels in students is crucial for developing effective interventions. This study aims to assess the prevalence of stress and its association with sociodemographic factors among undergraduate students at St. John's College, Agra, India. Materials and methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between August 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, involving 160 undergraduate students from B.A., B. Com., and B.Sc. programs. Students were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), which classifies low, moderate, and high levels. Data were collected through a validated, semi-structured questionnaire administered via Google Forms. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29 (Released 2023; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York), with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests used to examine associations between stress levels and sociodemographic variables. Results The study found that 103 (64.4%) of students experienced moderate stress, 34 (21.3%) reported high perceived stress, and 23 (14.4%) had low stress. A significant association was observed between stress levels and gender (p = 0.022), with female students more likely to experience high stress. Additionally, urban students reported higher stress levels than their rural counterparts (p = 0.012). However, no significant differences in stress levels were found across different courses. Conclusion The study reveals a substantial prevalence of moderate to high stress among college students, particularly among females and those from urban areas. These findings suggest the need for targeted stress management interventions to support student well-being. Further research is recommended to explore the underlying causes of stress and develop comprehensive stress reduction strategies in the student population.

Prevalence of Academic Burnout Among Nursing Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Nursing students are prone to academic burnout (AB) as the result of frequent exposure to stressful situations. AB is associated with physical and mental health problems; thus, identifying the burden of AB is crucial for prevention. This review sought to estimate the global prevalence of AB among nursing students.

METHOD

PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, SciELO, CUIDEN, LILACS, and BASE databases were searched. The prevalence of AB was estimated using random effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 34 studies (n = 9,554 students) were included. The pooled prevalence of AB was 35% (95% CI [24%, 47%]; n = 23 studies), with the highest prevalence (58%) observed in Asia. The pooled prevalence of high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment was 40%, 23%, and 30%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

AB is more common than previously estimated among nursing students. Academic institutions should consider AB in their core curriculum. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(8):533-539.].

Stress levels and eating behavior among university students in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Increased body weight is common among university students; transitioning from high school to university may increase perceived stress levels, thus changing dietary habits and metabolism to promote overweight or obesity. The current study investigates the association between stress and dietary habits among university students in Jordan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 221 university students aged between 20 and 25 at Applied Science Private University [ASU]. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to university students. The questionnaires were divided into three sections: the first was about general characteristics, body weight, change in body weight, and stress eating.

RESULT

The survey of 208 participants showed that 64.3% were females, and 84.2% of students lived with their families. Results showed that more than half [51.1%] of the respondents were dissatisfied with their eating habits. Females [57.7%] monitored their food intake more than males did. However, most males [77.2%] reported less eating during stress compared to females. In addition, the data analysis revealed that those who ate more were less likely to monitor their food intake [χ 2 =9.734, df = 1, P = .002] or quantity [χ 2 =16.704, df = 1, P < .001]. Only 20.8% of the participants preferred sports or hobbies as a stress reduction activity; 29.4% took showers, while 51.1% ignored what made them stressed. Finally, 56.3% of participants reported increased weight after starting university, and it was significantly correlated with stress eating while studying for exams [χ 2 =8.762, df = 2, P = .013]. Stress affects university students and can lead to unhealthy eating habits and health issues like obesity.

CONCLUSION

Many students face stress during their academic years, which affects their dietary choices. Policies promoting healthy eating habits and stress-reducing activities are important for university students.

Students' Well-Being and Academic Engagement: A Multivariate Analysis of the Influencing Factors

This paper aims to identify the factors that are positively or negatively impacting students' well-being and their academic engagement. We used partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using the data collected through a questionnaire from four countries: Romania, Turkey, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. The model includes seven factors that influence the well-being of students and indirectly their academic engagement: stressors in the students' lives; professors' support; social support from family and friends; the students' perceived satisfaction in their lives; engaging in activities during their leisure time; self-exploration regarding their careers; and environmental exploration regarding their careers. The results show that all factors, except for stressors and environmental exploration regarding their careers, positively influence the students' well-being and thus their academic engagement. These findings are useful for university professors and managers in better organizing activities to increase academic performance.

A study on the relationship between yoga exercise intervention and the comprehensive well-being of female college students

Background

Due to the influence of theories, tools, and methodologies in studying well-being, sports science has predominantly focused on subjective well-being, with less attention given to psychological well-being and even less to the integrated study of comprehensive well-being. This study aims to analyze the relationship between yoga exercise intervention and the comprehensive well-being of college students and to explore the mechanism of a yoga exercise intervention to improve the comprehensive well-being of female college students.

Methods

With 92 female college students as subjects, the "Comprehensive Well-being Scale" was used, and research methods such as yoga exercise intervention, questionnaire surveys, qualitative analysis, expert interviews, and statistical analysis were employed to investigate the role of a yoga exercise intervention on the comprehensive well-being of female college students.

Results

Among the nine dimensions of comprehensive well-being, the three dimensions of subjective well-being and the two dimensions of psychological well-being (health concern and personality growth) of female college students were significantly improved. Additionally, four other dimensions of psychological well-being also showed significant improvement. Furthermore, the improvement in the life satisfaction of female college students' subjective well-being was mainly achieved through yoga meditation, while partner yoga posture practice could help individuals gradually form a stable pattern of altruistic behavior.

Conclusion

Yoga exercise intervention can improve the comprehensive well-being of female college students and can be an effective counseling method for college students' mental health education.

Mindful Self-Hypnosis Combined with Resistance Training to Reduce Perceived Stress and Improve Other Psychological Factors in Female College Students

Perceived stress is a significant problem among female college students that can impact psychological distress, sleep, and overall well-being. Mindful self-hypnosis (MSH) and resistance training (RT) have both been shown to reduce perceived stress. The rationale for the present study was to investigate whether MSH combined with RT could be more effective at reducing perceived stress as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale than RT alone due to synergistic effects achieved by combining the interventions. Forty-four female college students were randomized to one of the three groups: MSH+RT, RT only, or a wait-list control (WLC). Results indicated that, compared to RT only, the addition of MSH led to pronounced improvements in perceived stress which was significantly greater than WLC. Also, MSH+RT resulted in significant increases in mindfulness, sleep, strength, and well-being in comparison to WLC. MSH+RT was shown to be feasible with highly satisfactory participant ratings. Future research should examine the MSH+RT intervention with a larger population and with older women who are more at risk for stress and declining strength.

Undergraduate class standing, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the association between perceived social support and depressive symptoms at different stages of academic progress.

PARTICIPANTS

Undergraduate students (n = 505) enrolled at a large southeastern university.

METHODS

Students completed a cross-sectional survey about their self-reported physical and mental health. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and academic class standing.

RESULTS

Academic class standing and perceived social support were both significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Compared to freshman, odds of having depressive symptoms were 2.15 times higher for sophomores and 3.94 times higher for seniors. For every one unit increase in perceived social support, the odds of depressive symptoms decreased by 51%.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant association between depressive symptoms and social support was identified for all undergraduates in this sample. The differences identified between social support and depressive symptoms reveal the need to tailor support provided at different academic stages.

Effects of Transition from Remote to In-Person Learning in University Students: A Longitudinal Study

Previous studies have shown that the transition from the University environment to remote learning impacted student mental health. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of university environment on anxiety and depressive symptoms in health sciences students. Students at the Technical University of Manabí, Ecuador, with 6-10 in-person semesters, who shifted to remote learning and then returned to face-to-face learning were selected. Students responded to the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). In addition, questions regarding social interaction, physical exercise, mood and sleep habits were also asked. This longitudinal study tracked 323 students during the return to in-person classes and term end. The results showed similar rates of anxiety (GAD-7, p = 0.011-p = 0.002) and depression (PHQ-9 p = 0.001-p = 0.032) among students at week 1 and week 15. Previous diagnosis of depression (OR, 0.171; CI 0.050-0.579, p < 0.005) was shown to correlate with depression levels in week 1, with no changes seen at follow-up. Anxiety levels were shown to be associated with a previous diagnosis of the disorder at week 1, but not at follow-up (OR 0.233; CI 0.085-0.643, p < 0.005). The return to in-person learning among university students maintained levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, underscoring ongoing vulnerabilities to mental health disorders in this group.

The Relationship Between Academic Stress, Sleep Quality, and Psychological Wellbeing in Pasifika and New Zealand European Students at the University of Otago

BACKGROUND

Pasifika students in New Zealand are overrepresented in poor academic outcomes, and their academic challenges may potentially influence their wellbeing. We aim to: 1) compare the academic stress, sleep quality, and psychological wellbeing of Pasifika and New Zealand European (NZE) anatomy students at the University of Otago, and 2) determine if academic stress mediates the association between their psychological wellbeing and sleep quality.

METHODS

We launched a brief online survey to Pasifika and NZE students in our department. The survey included basic demographics, Perception of Academic Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, a short loneliness scale, a reduced morningness-eveningness scale, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

RESULTS

Perceived academic stress were comparable between NZE and Pasifika students, but Pasifika students reported poorer sleep quality than NZE students (t(113) = 14.41, P < .001). In addition, Pasifika students reported more loneliness (t(119) = 8.933, P < .001), less anxiety symptoms (t(120) = 2.469, P = .015), and less of a morning person (t(121) = 2.618, P = .010) than NZE students, but they had comparable depressive symptoms and daytime sleepiness. After controlling for age, ethnicity and gender, we found that academic stress fully mediated the relationship between anxiety or depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality. Furthermore, academic stress partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and poor sleep quality in our cohort.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the importance for academic institutions to support students' wellbeing, including ethnic minority students such as Pasifika students in New Zealand.

Short-term equine interaction for reducing test anxiety and facilitating coping skill development in college students during examination periods: A preliminary study

Mental health concerns are common among college students and more prevalent during examination periods when stress and anxiety are heightened. While the benefits of equine interaction have been reported, the impact of short-term equine interaction on coping skills valuable for managing test anxiety have yet to be studied. Therefore, the purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the impact of short-term equine interaction during the college examination period on development of coping skills and anxiety levels associated with testing, both self-reported and those reflected in physiological measures. Full-time college students engaged in a one-hour equine interaction session held on campus at the onset of final exam week. Participants completed a survey targeting perception of anxiety levels and coping skills. Heart rate and salivary cortisol measurements were collected pre- and post-session. Paired t-tests were performed between pre- and post- session measures and correlations between survey answers and physiological measures determined. Significant reductions were found in all areas of anxiety (Overall Academics P = 0.0003, Final Exam Preparation P = 0.0003, Taking Final Exam P = 0.0003). The reduction in exam-related anxiety was positively correlated to cortisol concentrations (r = 0.69, P = 0.03) with lower concentrations (P = 0.05) and increased heart rate (P = 0.003) post-session. Regarding coping skills, improvements were observed post-session in assertiveness (P = 0.008). Skill development coupled with reduced anxiety supports the potential benefits short-term equine interaction can offer students during the high stress periods, but these findings should be confirmed with more in-depth study.

Depression, Anxiety and Poor Sleep Quality are Associated with Chronotype and Financial Wellness in University Students

Background: Evidence suggests the importance of a person's chronotype in predicting various aspects of an individual's physical and mental health. While the effect of depression on sleep is well established, the impact of a person's specific sleep timing and chronotype on the prevalence of both depression and anxiety has yet to be fully understood, especially among university students, vulnerable to mental health problems. In addition, other factors also seem to influence the occurrence of depression and anxiety among students as well as their quality of sleep, one of which being the students' financial wellness. The objective was to evaluate the association between chronotype and the severity and prevalence of depression among Lebanese university students, while also taking into account the possible connection between chronotype and financial wellness and both anxiety and sleep quality. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and February 2022; 330 Lebanese university students was included (mean age 21.75 ± 2.43; 67.3% females). Results: The majority of the Lebanese university students in our sample were found to have an intermediate typology (63.0%), followed by the evening typology, which appeared to constitute 28.2% of the sample, while only 8.8% possessed a morning typology. In this study, having an intermediate or evening typology compared to a morning one was significantly associated with higher depression and worse sleep quality. In addition, having an evening chronotype compared to a morningness propensity was significantly associated with more anxiety. Conclusion: This study found a positive association between an evening typology (chronotype) and higher depression and anxiety and poorer quality of sleep. Although preliminary and based on cross-sectional data, this research could help provide a better understanding of the different chronotypes among university students, and of the possible increased susceptibility of some of these typologies (i.e., evening-type) to mental health problems.

Sleep Quality and Interoception Are Associated with Generalized Anxiety in Baccalaureate Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Baccalaureate nursing students are at increased risk for anxiety and related mood disorders. We conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the relationships among anxiety symptoms measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire and lifestyle behaviors including habitual diet, sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), and physical activity. Descriptive statistics were obtained for sample characteristics, and Pearson correlations and backward stepwise linear regression explored relationships between the GAD-7 scores, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, version 2 (MAIA-2) subscales, and other variables. Sixty-eight students completed the survey, with 38% having moderate-to-severe anxiety. On average, respondents had moderate diet quality (Healthy Eating Index median 60/100 [range 51-75]), had high sleep quality (PSQI median 7/21 [range 4-10]), and were highly active, with a median of 43 (range 24-78) weekly metabolic equivalent (MET) hours. Sixty-seven out of 68 respondents indicated a willingness to change lifestyle behaviors; the most prevalent time-related factors were school and social commitments, with stress and financial constraints being reported among half or more of respondents. Regression analysis determined that PSQI (β = 0.446) and the MAIA-2 Not-Worrying subscale (β = -0.366) were significant (p < 0.001 for both) predictors of anxiety severity. These results indicate that mindfulness and sleep hygiene may be the most actionable foci for interventions to reduce anxiety in baccalaureate nursing students. This study was not registered as a clinical trial.

Factors Associated with the Health-Related Quality of Life of Malaysian Young Adults Post-Pandemic

The transition from school to university brings significant adjustments in lifestyle, body weight, and living environment for young adults, potentially impacting their quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have exacerbated these changes. This cross-sectional study involved 361 young adults (18-25 years) from Malaysian tertiary institutions, aiming to identify factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) post-COVID-19 restrictions. Data were collected online between April and July 2022, utilizing the WHOQOL-BREF for HRQOL assessment. Participants, with a median age of 23, scored highest in the physical health domain (mean: 63.2, SD = 16.2) and lowest in psychological health (mean: 58.2, SD = 16.9). Physical health domain scores varied by ethnicity, the field of study, weight category, and prescription medicine usage; environmental health scores by ethnicity and household income; and social health scores by age. Moderate perceived stress and low perceived support were significant predictors of poor HRQOL. Across the weight categories, sleep quality, perceived stress, and support have consistently impacted the HRQOL domain scores. This study underscores the multifaceted influences on young adults' quality of life during the transition to university, especially in post-pandemic adjustments, highlighting the importance of addressing factors such as perceived stress and support to enhance overall well-being.

Psychological implications of unemployment among higher educated migrant youth in Kolkata City, India

Mental health issues are intricately linked to socioeconomic background, employment and migration status. However, there remains a gap in understanding the mental health challenges faced by graduate youth in India, particularly in Kolkata City. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among higher-educated migrant youth. A survey was conducted on four hundred migrant graduate youths aged 21-35 residing in Kolkata. Measures included socio-demographics and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were employed to identify factors associated with mental health issues. The overall prevalence rates were 54.4% for depression, 61.8% for anxiety, and 47.9% for stress. Unemployed youths exhibited significantly more symptoms of depression and anxiety than their employed counter parts. The logistic regression model showed that unemployed youth, female sex, never married, and second- and third-time migrant youths were risk factors for high scores on the DASS-21. This study showed that mental health issues were alarming in the higher educated migrant youth. The study suggests the implementation of skill-based, job-oriented, and professional courses at the graduation level to prevent graduates from being rendered unproductive and jobless. Beside these, regular psychological support should be provided to the higher educated youth by the local governments.

Sleep patterns and quality among Nigerian medical students: A cross-sectional study

Adequate sleep is crucial for individuals' well-being and cognitive functioning. However, medical students face unique challenges that disrupt their sleep patterns, such as a rigorous curriculum, long study hours, and high-stress levels. Understanding the sleep patterns and quality among medical students in Nigeria is important to develop targeted interventions and support their overall well-being. This study involved 802 medical students from 3 medical schools in Southwest Nigeria. Participants completed an online questionnaire that collected data on their demographic characteristics, sleep patterns and self-reported sleep quality. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data and identify patterns and associations. Most participants were female (56.9%), with the highest representation from the UNILORIN (65.5%). The average reported sleep duration was 5.74 hours per night, indicating insufficient sleep. Irregular bedtimes and wake-up times were commonly reported. A significant proportion of students consumed coffee late at night (27.1%) and used medication to induce sleep (24.3%). Sleep patterns and behaviors, such as snoring (36.1%) and nocturnal eating (57.6%), were reported. Overall, participants reported satisfactory (28.3%) or poor (29.7%) sleep quality. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between sleep patterns, sleep quality, academic performance, and other sleep-related factors. The study identified insufficient sleep duration, irregular bedtimes, late-night coffee consumption, and poor sleep quality. These findings emphasize the need for interventions and strategies to promote healthy sleep habits among medical students, which can positively impact their overall health and academic performance.

Bibliometric Analysis of Research Papers on Academic Stress (1989-2023)

This extensive study provides a comprehensive overview of the contemporary research landscape about academic stress, emphasizing on identifying the most relevant contributors and understanding prevalent trends. The analysis included 5,375 results from the PubMed database and revealed a consistent upward trajectory with fluctuations in research paper publications over the years. Network analysis and visualization were performed using the Biblioshiny app and VOSviewer software. The analysis identified that the University of Oslo has published the highest number of research papers related to academic stress. In contrast, the Netherlands, the USA, and Australia demonstrated the highest frequency of collaboration. Analysis of keywords and their co-occurrence provides an overview of the research focus and the areas associated with psychological stress due to academics. Thematic evaluation and topic trend analysis provided insights into the evolving nature of research in academic stress. The thematic map depicts two categories of themes - motor themes, including psychological stress, its epidemiology, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the mental health of university students, particularly those in medical programs; and emerging themes, including oxidative stress and risk factors, indicated evolving areas of interest. A notable observation was the scarcity of research on primary school students, signaling a gap in the existing academic stress literature. Citation analysis identified the most cited authors, countries, universities, and sources. This multifaceted examination provides a nuanced understanding of academic stress research's current state and dynamics, offering valuable insights into trends, collaborations, and thematic shifts that will guide future research in this critical field.

The Pain Research Enrichment Program (PREP): Developing an immersive program for research assistants at an academic medical center

Research experience is often important for academic and career development. This paper describes the implementation and impact of a training program for temporary research assistants (RAs) at an academic medical center. The program includes a 9-month didactic lecture series covering research and professional development skills, a Quality Improvement project focused on improving research processes, and manuscript writing. Overall, the program goals of increasing confidence, self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and well-being, as well as providing an opportunity for career exploration, were met. Thus, this program has the potential to support temporary RAs and enhance their early research experiences.

Formulated Palmitoylethanolamide Supplementation Improves Parameters of Cognitive Function and BDNF Levels in Young, Healthy Adults: A Randomised Cross-Over Trial

BACKGROUND

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator which is naturally produced in the body and found in certain foods. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a bioavailable formulated form of PEA (Levagen+®) on serum BDNF levels and parameters of cognitive function in healthy adults.

METHODS

A randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over trial was implemented to measure the effects of a 6-week 700 mg/day course of formulated PEA supplementation versus a placebo. Participants (n = 39) completed pre- and post-assessments of a lab-based cognitive test. Serum samples were collected to measure BDNF concentrations using an immunoassay.

RESULTS

A significant increase in serum BDNF levels was found following PEA supplementation compared with the placebo (p = 0. 0057, d = 0.62). The cognition test battery demonstrated improved memory with PEA supplementation through better first success (p = 0.142, d = 0.54) and fewer errors (p = 0.0287; d = -0.47) on the Paired Associates Learning test.

CONCLUSION

This was the first study to report a direct beneficial effect of Levagen+® PEA supplementation on memory improvement as well as corresponding increases in circulating neurotrophic marker levels. This suggests that formulated PEA holds promise as an innovative and practical intervention for cognitive health enhancement.

Relationships between psychopathological symptoms, pandemic-related stress, perceived social support, and COVID-19 infection history: a network analysis in Chinese college students

Introduction

Previous coronavirus, 2019 (COVID-19) research has applied network analysis to examine relationships between psychopathological symptoms but rarely extended to potential risk and protective factors or the influence of COVID-19 infection history. This study examined complex inter-relationships between psychopathological symptoms, COVID-19-related stressors, perceived social support, and COVID-19 infection history among Chinese university/college students during the peak of fifth pandemic wave using a network analysis approach.

Methods

A Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator-regularized partial correlation network using Gaussian graphical model was constructed in 1,395 Chinese university/college students in Hong Kong who completed a survey between 15 March and 3 April, 2022. Depressive, anxiety, and acute/traumatic stress symptoms were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Impact of Event Scale-6, respectively. COVID-19-related stressors and perceived social support were measured. Network differences by COVID-19 infection history (COVID-network vs. no_COVID-network) and network communities were examined.

Results

Our results showed that the most influential nodes were depressed mood, uncontrollable worries, and uncontrollable thoughts about COVID-19. The main bridging symptoms were concentration problems and psychomotor problems. The COVID-network, comprising participants with a history of COVID-19 infection only, was significantly stronger than the no_COVID-network. Perceived social support and stress from conflicts with family/friends formed a unique community with negative cognition and suicidal idea in the COVID-network only.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that specific interventions targeting interpersonal conflicts and concentration problems as well as facilitating stress buffering effects of social support may represent effective strategies to reduce psychological distress in university/college students during COVID-19 and should be considered for future pandemic preparedness.

Mediating effect of psychological distress and mindful eating behaviors between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy among Lebanese university female students

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the mediating effect of psychological distress and mindful eating behaviors between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy among Lebanese university female students.

METHODS

A total of 769 female participants enrolled in this cross-sectional study (mean age 21.58 ± 3.20 years). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among university female students. The questionnaire consisted of Mindful Eating Behaviors Scale, ORTO-R, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Arabic version of Academic Self-Efficacy Scale.

RESULTS

The results showed that psychological distress fully mediated the association between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy; higher orthorexia nervosa was significantly associated with less psychological distress (β= -0.31, p =.05), with more psychological distress significantly associated with lower academic self-efficacy (β= -0.32, p =.09). Focused eating fully mediated the association between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy; higher orthorexia nervosa was significantly associated with less focused eating (β=-0.09, p =.04), with more focused eating significantly associated with better academic self-efficacy (β = 1.40, p =.10). Orthorexia nervosa was not directly associated with academic self-efficacy in both models.

CONCLUSION

This study shed light on important connections between orthorexia nervosa, psychological distress, mindful eating behaviors, and academic self-efficacy within the Lebanese context. The findings will have practical implications for both educational institutions and healthcare providers striving to support young female adults' overall well-being and academic success.

Understanding the impact of sisu on workforce and well-being: A machine learning-based analysis

This study investigates the construct of sisu, a Finnish attribute representing mental resilience and fortitude when confronted with difficult situations. By leveraging advanced analytical methods and explainable Artificial Intelligence, we gain insights into how sisu factors influence well-being, work efficiency, and overall health. We investigate how the beneficial aspects of sisu contribute significantly to mental and physical health, satisfaction, and professional accomplishments. Conversely, we analyze the harmful sisu and its adverse impacts on the same domains. Our findings, including intriguing trends related to age, educational level, emotional states, and gender, pave the way for developing tailored solutions and initiatives to nurture the beneficial aspects of sisu and curtail the damaging consequences of sisu within professional settings and personal welfare.

An egocentric network analysis of U.S. college students' recollection of mental health symptoms and social connections during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: This study analyzes pandemic-era diminished mental health and social connections among college students. Participants: Students of a large public university completed an online survey measuring self-reported mental health symptoms for themselves and that of their closest social connections. Methods: Three regression models were used to understand if pandemic-era diminished mental health was associated with mental health characteristics present among their social networks: (1) depressive symptoms, (2) loneliness, and (3) hopelessness. Results: Students experiencing depressive symptoms (R2 = 0.13, F = 3.685, p < 0.001) perceived depressive symptoms (β = 0.32, p = 0.01) among their social connections. Students experiencing loneliness (R2 = 0.13, F = 3.867, p < 0.001) perceived loneliness (β = 0.39, p = 0.02) among their social connections. Students experiencing hopelessness (R2 = 0.14, F = 4.223, p < 0.001) perceived depressive symptoms (β = 0.35, p = 0.01) among their social connections. Conclusion: Social connections may influence mental health symptoms and could be a social determinant of certain mental health outcomes.

Mindfulness to improve the mental health of university students. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the effects of a mindfulness program on mental health in university students.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using the databases Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL. The selected studies had to incorporate a mindfulness intervention in university students. The methodological quality of the collected articles was evaluated using the PEDro scale.

Results

We initially identified 321 studies, of which 21 were included in this review. The interventions focused on mindfulness with durations ranging from 8 weeks to 3 months. The results demonstrated significant effects of a mindfulness intervention on mental health in university students.

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that mindfulness is effective for improving the mental health of college students.

Systematic Review Registration

identifier: CRD42023441453.

Socioeconomic Status and Students' Mental Health during the COVID-19 University Closure: Mediating Roles of Perceived Social Support and Self-Efficacy

Despite the need for urgent actions in response to the exacerbated inequalities in mental health resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a significant gap in research into the relationships and underlying mechanisms between socioeconomic status (SES) and various mental health outcomes among students during the COVID-19 university closure. With a sample of 839 students from a university in Lanzhou, the capital city of China's Gansu Province, which was closed during the 2022 autumn semester due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this study examined the relationships between SES and both the negative and positive mental health outcomes, with a particular inquiry into the mediating roles of perceived social support and self-efficacy. The results show that SES had significant and negative total associations with psychological distress (β = -0.119, p < 0.001) and loneliness (β = -0.132, p < 0.001), while having significant and positive total associations with life satisfaction (β = 0.90, p < 0.01) and affective well-being (β = 0.108, p < 0.01). Moreover, perceived social support and self-efficacy independently and sequentially mediated the associations between SES and various mental health outcomes. Research implications for the design and improvement of university measures to reduce the socioeconomic inequalities in students' mental health are also discussed.

Suicidality among university students in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic review

The prevalence of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation among university students is a global concern. Cultural values, social determinants, religion, and especially growing stress all play an important role in this. This systematic review aimed to identify potential protective and risk factors thought to be associated with suicidal ideation among students in the Eastern Mediterranean region and highlight the importance of developing an effective health care response. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, WHO Global Health Library, IMEMR, Web of Science Core Collections and Farsi and Arabic databases were searched for papers in English, Farsi, and Arabic. A combination of validated filters, free text keywords, and Mesh and Non-Mesh terms were used to retrieve relevant literature. A total of 2774 papers were found after the search, 257 selected for full-text review, and 72 papers included in the final review. Family and peer support play a potential protective role in the development of suicidal ideation among university students, while adverse life events, bullying, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions were identified as risk factors. Suicidality was likely under-reported due to stigma around social and cultural factors. Factors involving religion and culture may act as both protective and risk factors and require more in-depth investigation. The student population in the Eastern Mediterranean region face many challenges. The common theme of suicidality emerged as an indicator of an imbalance of resources and stress, which needs to be addressed proactively, given a most likely underreporting of suicidal ideation and attempts due to stigma.

The relationship between resilience and mental health of undergraduate students: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this scoping review was to examine what is known about the relationship between the resilience and mental health of undergraduate students enrolled in university or college programs, globally.

METHODS

Five electronic databases were searched, yielding a total of 1,498 articles that were screened independently by two researchers. Thirteen articles were eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

The mental health of undergraduate students in the studies reviewed ranged from low to moderate. Undergraduate students also reported high, moderate, and low levels of resilience. Further, resilience was positively correlated with mental well-being.

CONCLUSION

Findings revealed that the mental health of undergraduate students was poor. Given the established relationship between students' mental health and resilience, evidence-based approaches aimed at strengthening students' resilience, such as providing opportunities for social support, are warranted in order to improve students' mental health. Additional research to rigorously assess this relationship in representative student populations is needed.

Psychological Health and Risk Factors of College Students within the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Students are a priority population in mental health research. This study aimed to explore the risk factors of anxiety and depression symptoms among college students in Chongqing, a megacity under the impact of COVID-19, and to provide a basis for determining the priorities of public health policies and implementing effective educational health care interventions.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study conducted in Chongqing, China, the data came from web-based stratified random sampling. Anxiety and depression symptoms were measured by the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), respectively, and risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from 915 college students (34.75% were male, and 65.25% were female) with age (20.29 ± 1.51) in Chongqing, China. The prevalence rates of anxiety and depression were 19.78% and 22.62%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors of anxiety symptoms were associated with junior years, sleep time of less than 6 h a day, influence on career planning, and depression symptoms. Comprehensive, science and engineering, and medicine disciplines, having siblings, poorer mastery of study, and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for developing depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

During the pandemic, college students experienced varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Our research findings highlight the necessity of universities and relevant departments providing precise mental health education for college students under major public health emergencies.

A mixed-methods investigation of COVID-19 pandemic-specific stress in college students

OBJECTIVE

To identify pandemic-specific stressors among college students and compare patterns of stressors in samples obtained during early and chronic phases of the pandemic.

METHOD

Different undergraduate student samples from a Southeastern university completed an online survey in Spring 2020 (early pandemic; N = 673) and Fall 2020 (chronic pandemic; N = 439). This repeated cross-sectional survey study used a mixed methods triangulation design to validate and expand on quantitative findings using qualitative data.

RESULTS

Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed 13 pandemic stressor domains, with academics and lifestyle adjustment among the most stressful in both samples, and more stressful in the chronic pandemic sample. Non-freshmen, female, and first-generation college students were at greater risk for pandemic stress.

CONCLUSIONS

As college students continue to experience stressors related to COVID-19 and encounter future crises, colleges and universities must adapt to meet their unique needs specific to the context.

Bidirectional associations of physical activity, sleep, and self-reported mental health in young adults participating in an online wellness intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the bidirectional associations of physical activity (PA), sleep, and mental health in young adults participating in an online wellness intervention from October 2021 to April 2022.

Methods

Participants were a sample of undergraduate students from one US university (N = 89; 28.0% freshman; 73.0% female). The intervention was a 1-h health coaching session that was delivered either once or twice by peer health coaches on Zoom during COVID-19. The number of coaching sessions was determined by random allocation of participants to experimental groups. Lifestyle and mental health assessments were collected at two separate assessment timepoints after each session. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Weekday and weekend sleep were assessed by two one-item questionnaires and mental health was calculated from five items. Cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) examined the crude bidirectional associations of PA, sleep, and mental health across four-time waves (i.e., T1 through T4). To control for individual unit effects and time-invariant covariates, linear dynamic panel-data estimation using maximum likelihood and structural equation modeling (ML-SEM) was also employed.

Results

ML-SEMs showed that mental health predicted future weekday sleep (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and weekend sleep predicted future mental health (β = 0.11, p = 0.028). Although CLPMs showed significant associations between T2 PA and T3 mental health (β = 0.27, p = 0.002), no associations were observed when unit effects and time-invariant covariates were accounted for.

Conclusion

Self-reported mental health was a positive predictor of weekday sleep and weekend sleep positively predicted mental health during the online wellness intervention.

Emotion dysregulation in relation to cannabis use and mental health among young adults

BACKGROUND

Emotion dysregulation (ED) is a transdiagnostic variable that accounts for the onset and maintenance of mental health disorders. The interplay between ED, cannabis use and mental health has not been appraised in the young adult population and whether there are sex-dependent effects has yet to be examined. This study looked at whether ED mediates the association between past-month cannabis use and mental health, while considering sex as a moderator.

METHODS

2,762 (64.2% women) undergraduate Spanish students completed an online battery. Among others, they fulfilled the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-28). A two-way ANOVA assessed the effects of sex and past-month cannabis use on participants' DASS-21 scores. A set of moderated mediations tested whether the indirect effect of past-month cannabis use on DASS-21 through DERS differed by sex.

RESULTS

Past-month cannabis female users showed higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress (M = 51.10, SD = 26.72) than did men [(M = 33.76, SD = 20.31); F(1, 2758) = 5.119, p =.024, η²p =.002]. In female young adults only, the effect of past-month cannabis use on mental health was mediated by ED (total score), non-acceptance of emotional responses, lack of emotional control, difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behavior, and lack of emotional clarity (all p's < 0.005) CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate the importance of considering ED in assessment and intervention practices. Interventions targeting ED may be particularly effective for female young adult cannabis users.

On the beauty of sadness: it's okay to say, I am sad, thank you

We live in times when our culture is obsessed with happiness. The value of almost every aspect of our lives is increasingly judged in terms of their contribution to our happiness. Happiness has become the ultimate goal by which values and priorities are constructed and the only thing for which any action in pursuit of does not require justification. In contrast, sadness is increasingly abnormalized and pathologized. In this paper, an effort is made to counteract the narrative that sadness, a critical aspect of human life is abnormal or a pathological condition. The evolutionary benefits of sadness and its place in human flourishing are discussed. A rebranding of sadness is proposed that emphasizes the free expression of sadness in everyday greetings to remove it from its current negative state and promote many of its benefits including post-traumatic growth and resilience.

Perceived health interests of college students

Objective: Investigate how college students perceive positive aspects of health as compared to neutral and/or negative aspects of health. Participants: 20 college students (55% female, 50% Black, M age = 23 years, SD = 4.1 years) completed a card-sorting activity as part of a focus group. Methods: Each participant ranked 57 cards by perceived importance. The cards included positive (n = 19), neutral (n = 19), and negative (n = 19) health topics. Results: Positive and neutral health attributes were significantly more important than negative aspects of health, with student rankings indicating declining importance from positive to neutral to negative aspects of health. Conclusions: Findings suggest that campus health professionals should consider salutogenic approaches to health promotion that enable college students to achieve short-term health gains and health maintenance in addition to disease prevention and harm reduction.

From Academic Resilience to Academic Burnout among International University Students during the Post-COVID-19 New Normal: An Empirical Study in Taiwan

(1) Background: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative for higher education institutions to understand the socio-psychological issues of international students, a potentially vulnerable population on campuses, to assist them in pursuing their academic path while maintaining their psychological well-being. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of academic burnout among international university students in Taiwan during the new normal and to explore the protective role of academic resilience. (2) Methods: Three hundred and eighty-three international university students in Taiwan were recruited and surveyed via the online self-administered questionnaire during the Fall semester of the 2022–2023 academic year. The data of sociodemographic characteristics, academic burnout, and academic resilience were collected and analyzed. (3) Results: The overall prevalence of high academic burnout was 12.01%. The majority of participants perceived significant depression and anxiety (detrimental factors) but moderate to high perception of academics and relationships (protective factors). There were significant relationships between resilience components and burnout symptoms. (4) Conclusions: Resilience may help to reduce burnout among international university students during the post-COVID-19 new normal, thereby protecting their mental health.

Mental Health and COVID-19 in University Students: Findings from a Qualitative, Comparative Study in Italy and the UK

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 restrictions introduced several changes in university academic and social experience. Self-isolation and online teaching have amplified students' mental health vulnerability. Thus, we aimed to explore feelings and perspectives about the impact of the pandemic on mental health, comparing students from Italy and the UK.

METHODS

Data were collected from the qualitative portion of "the CAMPUS study", longitudinally assessing mental health of students at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) and the University of Surrey (UK). We conducted in-depth interviews and thematically analysed the transcripts.

RESULTS

The explanatory model was developed from four themes identified across 33 interviews: anxiety exacerbated by COVID-19; putative mechanisms leading to poor mental health; the most vulnerable subgroups; and coping strategies. Generalised and social anxiety resulted from COVID-19 restrictions by being associated with loneliness, excessive time online, unhealthy management of time and space and poor communication with the university. Freshers, international students, and people on the extremes of the introversion/extroversion spectrum, were identified as vulnerable, while effective coping strategies included taking advantage of free time, connection with family and mental health support. The impact of COVID-19 was mostly related to academic issues by students from Italy, whereas to the drastic loss of social connectedness by the UK sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health support for students has an essential role, and measures that encourage communication and social connectedness are likely to be beneficial.

A qualitative investigation of stressful life events and mental health disorders: The views of patients and caregivers in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Mounting mental health disorders among students has become a significant challenge in producing quality graduates with bright minds. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the underlying causes of students' mental health-related problems and their experiences while living with mental health disorders. This study investigates the causes and exposures of mental health problems among university students in Bangladesh. For this purpose, a qualitative method was used, and an unstructured in-depth interview schedule was used to collect data from students and caregivers. The students were selected from Khulna University, and data were collected in two consecutive months, i.e., November and December 2021. Using a convenient sampling technique, eight (8) students with mental health issues and five (5) caregivers were interviewed to obtain the necessary data.

RESULTS

The findings showed that the intertwined social circumstances led to mental health problems among university students. The students experienced deep depression following a breakup of their romantic affairs/relationships. The prolonged isolation or social distancing due to the government-imposed strict lockdown during the COVID-19 also produced frustration regarding the possible loss of both academic and professional careers. Furthermore, the growing academic pressure in a form of an unfamiliar approach to teaching and learning-online education-also compelled students to complain about depression and suicidal tendencies as parts of their experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

This study recommends that the government and policymakers prioritize mental health issues in educational institutions, and they should enforce specific strategies, such as introducing age-specific mental health services and student counseling at educational institutions to reduce growing mental health issues. Furthermore, a positive approach from the family and community is also required to battle against mental health disorders. Besides, nationally representative empirical research is recommended to comprehend the growing mental health issues among students in the 21st century to figure out solutions for the present and the future.

Online learning performance and engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic: Application of the dual-continua model of mental health

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an abrupt transition from face-to-face learning to online learning, which has also affected the mental health of college students. In this study, we examined the relationship between students' adjustment to online learning and their mental health by using the Dual-Continua Model. The model assumes that mental disorder and mental well-being are related yet distinct factors of mental health. For this purpose, 2,933 college students completed an online survey around the beginning of the Fall semester of 2020 (N = 1,724) and the Spring semester of 2021 (N = 1,209). We assessed participants' mental well-being, mental disorders, and academic distress by means of the online survey. In addition, we incorporated grades and log data accumulated in the Learning Management System (LMS) as objective learning indicators of academic achievement and engagement in online learning. Results revealed that two dimensions of mental health (i.e., mental well-being and mental disorder) were independently associated with all objective and subjective online learning indicators. Specifically, languishing (i.e., low levels of mental well-being) was negatively associated with student engagement derived from LMS log data and academic achievement and was positively associated with self-reported academic distress even after we controlled for the effects of mental disorder. In addition, mental disorder was negatively related to student engagement and academic achievement and was positively related to academic distress even after we controlled for the effects of mental well-being. These results remained notable even when we controlled for the effects of sociodemographic variables. Our findings imply that applying the Dual-Continua Model contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between college students' mental health and their adaptation to online learning. We suggest that it is imperative to implement university-wide interventions that promote mental well-being and alleviate psychological symptoms for students' successful adjustment to online learning.