ERIC Number: EJ830524
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Factors Associated with the Psychological Well-Being and Distress of University Students
Burris, Jessica L.; Brechting, Emily H.; Salsman, John; Carlson, Charles R.
Journal of American College Health, v57 n5 p536-544 Mar-Apr 2009
Objective: Because of the serious nature of psychiatric illness and related problems, the authors attempted to identify demographic, individual, and behavioral factors linked to university students' psychological health. Participants: They surveyed 353 (60.9% female) predominately Caucasian (88.7%) university students attending a large public university. Methods: The authors used a self-report questionnaire including valid and reliable psychometric instruments for all study variables. They conducted multiple regression analyses to examine associations among study variables using a cross-sectional design. Results: More favorable health states (i.e., greater psychological well-being and less distress) were positively associated with optimism, health values, and religiousness and were negatively associated with spirituality and number of sexual partners. Conclusions: Results demonstrated that multiple protective and risk factors contribute to the psychological well-being and distress of university students. Health promotion practitioners should adopt strategies that strengthen the personality characteristics and values associated with university students' psychological health. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Health Promotion, At Risk Persons, Personality Traits, Adolescents, Psychometrics, College Students, Mental Disorders, Student Behavior, White Students, Questionnaires, Mental Health, Well Being, Correlation, Stress Variables, Coping, Values, Religious Factors, Spiritual Development, Sexuality, Drinking
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A