Journal of American College Health最新文献

Objectives: Major disasters impose existential challenges and researchers have called for investigation of protectors (e.g., hope, spirituality) and further examination of mental health among Black and White student volunteers. This longitudinal study validated spirituality measures and tested a hypothetical model of depression among volunteers after deadly hurricanes.

Participants: Two-wave, survey data were collected via a purposive sample at three- and six-months post-disaster (N = 201; Age = 30.38, female = 91%, Black students = 38.8%).

Methods: Bayesian structural equation modeling (Bayesian-SEM) was employed to address both the small Wave-2 sample and the dichotomized depression measure.

Results: High proportions of respondents met symptom bars approaching clinical depression in both waves. As expected, hope had a suppressing effect on Waves 1-&-2 depression and mediated the opposite roles of peritraumatic emotions on both. Prayer coping mediated positive paths from Black participants.

Conclusion: Bayesian-SEM results reinforced the lasting protection of hope against post-disaster depression and indicated greater reliance on spirituality to cope among Black student volunteers.

Objective: This secondary analysis examined the feasibility and acceptability of a novel peer coaching model designed to improve adherence to an online self-help program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), called ACT Guide. Participants: All participants (N = 152) and peer coaches were undergraduate students attending the same university. Methods: Participants were instructed to use ACT Guide for 10 wk and were randomly assigned to receive weekly peer coaching through either phone calls or text messaging. Results: We found our peer coaching model to be feasible for delivery via phone and text, however acceptability varied widely. Phone coaching performed significantly better than the text format. Conclusions: Our results support the feasibility of using peer coaching with a college student population, particularly when delivered through phone calls. However, peer coaching was only acceptable to a subset of students, potentially due to differences in level of need and individual preferences.

Objective: Although complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been widely used, there are a few quantitative studies through which these trends in minority young adults can be analyzed. The purpose of this study is to describe and understand Hispanics' use of Mexican American complementary and alternative medicine with a focus on Hispanic college students' exposure and attitudes toward CAM. Participants: We surveyed at a mid-sized, Hispanic-serving public university located in the southwestern US. Of the 203 students, 38% of the Hispanic students in the sample reported that they have used a form of CAM. Methods: We performed logistic regression and mediational analyses to analyze the data. Results: We found positive associations between personal exposure to Mexican American CAM and the use of CAM. Additionally, belief in the influences of emotional and supernatural states on physical health strongly predicted the usage of Mexican American CAM, whereas belief in the efficacy of Western biomedicine was inversely associated with the use of CAM. Conclusion: Recognizing the cultural and attitudinal factors that shape healthcare decisions can guide the development of more inclusive, culturally tailored healthcare approaches and educational initiatives for young Hispanic college students.

Objective: To audit the snack food environment and evaluate the availability of healthy items campus-wide, investigating high-traffic areas and the ways in which the placement and content of snack outlets may vary across different building types and distance to other food sources. Participants: All snack food vending machines (VM) and convenience stores (CS). Methods: A cross-sectional snack food audit was conducted between June 2019 and January 2022. VMs and CS were rated on the availability and healthfulness of foods and beverages. Frequency and distributions of snacks, healthy snacks, VM scores, building types, enrolled students, and distance to food were analyzed and differences were evaluated. Results: The campus-wide offerings of unhealthy foods in VM ranged from 84-92%, with clusters of buildings with fewer than five healthy items. CS ranked among the least healthy. Conclusions: The snack environment at this large Hispanic-serving university contains predominantly very unhealthy choices. A policy on snack foods is needed to promote healthy eating habits and prevent obesity.

Objectives: This study sought to model the indirect effect of adverse childhood events on relative changes in college students' symptoms of insomnia through their capacities to be both psychologically flexible and inflexible. Participants: A total of 359 undergraduates (86.6% female; M_age = 21.2; SD = 2.4) from four universities were surveyed during the Spring 2023 semester. Methods: Subjects completed measures of adverse childhood events (baseline), psychological flexibility/inflexibility (baseline), and insomnia symptoms (at baseline and 2-month follow-up), in addition to key covariates (e.g., sleep hygiene and melatonin use). Results: Results, based on a mediation model, suggested that more adverse childhood experiences were associated with higher levels of psychological inflexibility, which, in turn, were associated with residual increases in students' symptoms of insomnia across the two months of the study. Conclusions: The current results highlight the significant role that psychological inflexibility plays in undergraduates' sleep problems and potentially expand avenues for addressing this population's sleep needs.

Objective: Drawing on social cognitive theory (SCT), this study examined the relationship between international students' resilience, well-being, and academic performance during COVID-19. We also explored the differences among these variables by home continent.

Participants: International students (n = 186) from 53 countries studying in the United States participated in the study.

Methods: Data were collected through an online survey in Spring 2021 and analyzed using a mediation analysis and MANOVA.

Results: Resilience was positively associated with both students' well-being and increased study hours. Resilience was also indirectly and positively associated with a better grade through an increase in study hours. However, well-being had no direct or indirect association with either the change in study hours or grades. We also found between-continent differences in some of the hypothesized variables.

Conclusions: Consistent with SCT, these findings highlight the importance of international students' resilience during a crisis and offer practical implications for university administrators during a future crisis.

Objective: This study examined characteristics and usage patterns of students who use a campus-based food pantry at a private university. Participants: Student clients of a campus-based food pantry at a private university (N = 30). Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews. A supplementary questionnaire assessing demographics, food security, and campus-based pantry usage/satisfaction was administered. Results: Food security scores revealed 50% of participants experienced high food security, 33.3% experienced low food security, and 16.67% experienced very low food security. Forty-three percent of participants were International Students. Interview themes included Unique Needs of International Students, Pantry Usage Patterns, Stigma Related to Food Assistance Usage, and Ideas for Pantry Improvement/Awareness. Conclusion: Students value hygiene products, culturally relevant options, and ready-to-eat items. International students are a major subset of pantry clients at a private university; the needs of international students should be considered during the planning and implementation of pantries at private universities.

Building on Seddio et al.'s study of ADHD symptoms, anxiety, and internalizing behaviors among college students during COVID-19, we identify key methodological limitations and propose refinements. The study's cross-sectional design, small sample size (n=200) from a single northeastern institution, high ADHD prevalence (35%), gender imbalance (82.1% female), reliance on self-report measures, and lack of ADHD subtype differentiation limit its generalizability and clinical applicability. We recommend standardized mental health screenings for internalizing behaviors, integrated care pathways within student health services, and faculty training to recognize subtle signs of distress. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs with multi-institutional cohorts, control groups, and diverse demographics to better understand comorbid ADHD and anxiety during acute stress. These improvements would strengthen the evidence base for supporting collegiate mental health.

Objective: Prior research demonstrated that military/veteran students report lower belongingness than civilian students, but the reasons why remain unclear. We investigated the impact of demographic characteristics, state and local politics, and school-specific veteran resources on reported belongingness. Participants: Participants included 104,162 students (2,814 military/veteran) who completed a survey for the Healthy Minds Study between 2014 and 2018. Methods: A combined mixed effect model and models stratified by military status to determine differences in belongingness between military/veteran students and civilian students. Results: Unadjusted models indicated military/veteran students reported lower belongingness than civilian students (b = -0.10, p < . 001). However, adjusting for demographic characteristics and state and school attributes reduced this effect (b = -0.04, p = .001). Conclusion: We were able to demonstrate that military/veteran students' reduced belongingness is largely due to the demographic differences among military/veteran students rather than aspects of the school or political leanings.

Objective: The mental health of college students is declining at an alarming rate. Understanding behaviors linked to positive mental health outcomes and psychological wellbeing (PWB) are needed. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between volunteering and PWB. Participants/methods: Students (N = 741) completed an online survey assessing PWB and volunteerism (frequency and motives). Results: A positive correlation was found between PWB and volunteering frequency (r = 0.14, p < 0.001). Factors motivating volunteerism and PWB were associated: protective-to lessen negative feelings and/or avoid personal problems (r = 0.193), enhancement-self-oriented motivation (r = 0.237), social-develop relationships (r = 0.276), career-improve career prospects (r = 0.287), values-altruism (r = 0.348), and understanding-knowledge (r = 0.362), all p < 0.001. Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between PWB and volunteering frequency. Understanding the motivation for volunteering, and how those factors related to PWB provides valuable information that may help students understand the importance of volunteering for altruistic reasons but also for their own mental health and wellbeing.