Aller TB, Fauth EB, Kelley HH, Hodgskiss S, Brown AL, Hellstern R. Associations between college students' personal experience with mental health issues and their mental health literacy: a strengths-based perspective.
J Ment Health 2024;
33:118-126. [PMID:
35545922 DOI:
10.1080/09638237.2022.2069692]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Mental health literacy (MHL) programs are a promising approach to help prevent mental health issues (MHI) among college students; however, there is an increasing need to understand individual factors that influence the development of students' MHL.
AIMS
Following a strengths-based approach, we examined if college students' individual characteristics and MHI experience were associated with students' MHL.
METHODS
Using two vastly different college samples (Sample 1, N = 617; Sample 2, N = 306), we used the Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy framework, guided by the health belief model and social-cognitive theory, to investigate associations between students' mental health literacy, demographic factors, and their previous experience with MHI.
RESULTS
Results from nested regression analyses suggest that personal experiences with MHI are associated with higher MHL (knowledge, self-efficacy, and behaviors), even after controlling for key individual characteristics. Prior experience with having an MHI and receiving therapy appeared to be most important in explaining MHL behaviors.
CONCLUSIONS
Students with personal experience with an MHI may be one of the most valuable resources for increasing MHL and utilization of mental health resources on college campuses. Additional implications and future research directions are offered.
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