ERIC Number: EJ993647
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Individual, Interpersonal, and Institutional Level Factors Associated with the Mental Health of College Students
Byrd, DeAnnah R.; McKinney, Kristen J.
Journal of American College Health, v60 n3 p185-193 2012
Objective: This study investigates the individual, interpersonal, and institutional level factors that are associated with overall mental health among college students. Participants: Data are from an online cross-sectional survey of 2,203 students currently enrolled at a large public university. Methods: Mental health was ascertained using a subcomponent of the RAND Medical Outcomes Study functioning and well-being measures developed by the RAND corporation. Stepwise regression was used to determine if self-reported measures of individual (ie, coping abilities), interpersonal (ie, intergroup awareness), and institutional (ie, campus climate/tension) level factors were associated with overall mental health, after controlling for demographic characteristics. Results: The combined effects of both individual and institutional level measures were associated with student mental health. In particular, limited coping abilities and a perceived racially tense campus climate contributed to the psychological distress of college students. Conclusions: Simultaneously addressing the individual and institutional level influences on mental health offers the most promising help for students. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Mental Health, Student Attitudes, Coping, College Students, Individual Characteristics, Correlation, Case Studies, Surveys, State Universities, Regression (Statistics), Self Evaluation (Individuals), Campuses, Educational Environment, Racial Relations, Emotional Disturbances, Stress Variables
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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