Journal of American College Health最新文献

Objective: To explore the effects of guided imagery with progressive deep muscle relaxation (PDMR) and meditation programs on chronic stress perception and health related quality of life in college students. Participants: College students were recruited from a local private university in Northeast Pennsylvania. Participants were not concurrently enrolled in another weekly meditation class. Students were randomly assigned to a meditation group (n = 16) or guided imagery with PDMR (n = 17). Method: The study design was an experimental, repeated measures design with two groups and two independent variables: the Perceived Stress Scale and Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-36v2). Results: Students in both the meditation and guided imagery groups demonstrated a decrease in chronic stress and increase in their mental-health related quality of life midway through the 8-week program and maintained throughout. Conclusion: This research lends support for weekly participation in a mind-body class as a viable method to decrease stress for college students.

Objective: Stress among college students contributes to and results from poor sleep. We created a brief, remotely-delivered sleep hygiene intervention and tested whether it improved sleep hygiene and reduced sleep disturbance and stress, compared to a sleep education control condition. Participants: We studied 108 racially/ethnically diverse undergraduates (76.9% females, 18.5% males, 1.9% nonbinary, 1.9% prefer not to disclose). Methods: Baseline and two-week follow-up questionnaires assessed sleep hygiene, sleep disturbance, and perceived stress. ANCOVAs compared intervention and control conditions at follow-up; mediation analyses explored whether the intervention reduced stress through improved sleep. Results: Compared to controls, the intervention improved sleep hygiene and sleep disturbance (both p < .001, η_p² = 0.21, large effects) and lowered stress (p = .006, η_p² = 0.07, medium effect). Mediation analyses suggest that the intervention reduced stress via improved sleep hygiene and disturbance. Conclusions: Brief, remotely-delivered, sleep hygiene training decreases undergraduates' stress, perhaps by improving their sleep hygiene and sleep quality.

This study presents factors contributing to food insecurity (FI) in Division Three (D3) athletes. The 2014 NCAA deregulation of feeding led to growth in registered dietitians within athletic departments except at D3 institutions. Increased food security concerns for D3 athletes followed as food access and security are crucial for optimal performance. Methods: This study included 222 D3 athletes who completed a questionnaire on FI, sports nutrition knowledge, and health habits. Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract constructs and multiple regression was used to determine if constructs were predictive of FI. Results: Cost of food, lack of dietary foods, food outlet hours of operation, lack of facilities to prepare food, reliable transportation, and location of food outlets were statistically significant predictors of FI. Discussion: These findings suggest that college policies can significantly impact FI among D3 athletes, highlighting potential avenues for institutions to reduce or eliminate the issue.

Objective: This study aimed to test the direct and indirect effect of social capital on psychological well-being, the mediating effects of basic psychological need satisfaction and sports identity respectively, as well as their chain mediation among student-athletes. Participants: We investigated college athletes from Jiangsu and Yunnan provinces in China's eastern and western regions (n = 822). Methods: Structural equation modeling approach with bootstrapping analysis was used to test the hypothetical relationships. Results: Social capital was positively associated with psychological well-being both directly and indirectly. The mediating roles of need satisfaction and sports identity were examined between social capital and psychological well-being, respectively. Besides, the chain mediating path of psychological need satisfaction and sports identity was confirmed. Conclusions: Findings demonstrated that universities were expected to use multiple strategies to improve students' social capital, fulfill their psychological needs, and reinforce the sense of honor with sports identity. In addition, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and higher education institutions in the United States should offer specific support to students from culturally diverse backgrounds to address their unique needs effectively.

Undergraduates' health and wellness is a critical focus in higher education, yet there remains a paucity of research exploring first-generation to college (FGC) undergraduates with chronic pain (CP). Examining 116 first-year, FGC undergraduates, this quantitative study sought to understand the impact of CP on pain acceptance for FGC undergraduates at a midwestern Predominately White Institution (PWI). Students were primarily White, self-identified female, domestic, and traditional first-year students, most of whom reported experiencing pain some to most days over the last 3 months. Using the Psychosociocultural Model, results revealed group differences by CP identity and onset. Regression analysis indicated adjustment and identity positively predicted wellness. Further, pain/pain impact partially mediated the relationship between identity and wellness. An ongoing, multidimensional examination in addressing pain acceptance for first-year, FGC undergraduates with CP is suggested, as it is not enough to just explore pain in and of itself.

Objective: While young adults have the highest prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs), treatment seeking is low in this age group. This study aimed to identify stigmatizing attitudes toward SUDs in the college setting, and to test whether SUD stigma was related to knowledge of addiction and familiarity with addiction (e.g., knowing someone with a SUD). Participants: Participants included 602 undergraduates from a public university in the southeastern United States (M_Age=18.51, SD = 0.81, 80.2% Female, 79.9% White Non-Hispanic). Methods: Participants completed an anonymous, online survey which included various SUD stigma, familiarity, and knowledge measures. Results: Results showed negative emotions toward individuals who have SUDs was inversely correlated with knowledge level. In addition, desired social distance from individuals with SUDs was inversely related to level of familiarity. There was no significant interaction between knowledge and familiarity. Conclusion: The findings have implications for college programming aimed at reducing stigma toward individuals with SUDs.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with vaccine compliance and the effectiveness of short-term video interventions on COVID-19 vaccine perceptions among students attending a state university located in rural Texas. Participants: A total of 298 students participated in an online survey. Methods: Students completed the COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Scale (COVID-VAC) and Perceptions of Vaccines Scale before and after watching one of three videos (neutral, educational, or disease effects). Results: Differences in vaccination status were observed for ethnicity and political leanings (p < 0.05). The video interventions did not impact COVID-VAC or Perceptions of Vaccines scores over time (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Short-term video interventions were ineffective in altering vaccine perceptions and improving acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in our study population. Impact of the type and duration of educational videos should be explored by future studies to combat vaccine hesitancy in future population-based studies.

Introduction: Undergraduate students face a multitude of unique stressors which can affect their mental health and well-being. Finding ways to promote positive mental health among students is critical. Engagement in prosocial behavior is one way to buffer against such negative mental health outcomes.

Objectives: The objective of this scoping review was to determine what is known from the literature regarding the use of prosocial behavior interventions for undergraduate students' mental health and well-being.

Methods: Five databases were searched (i.e., MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL) and articles were screened independently and simultaneously by 2 researchers. Seven articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review.

Results: Three main themes and two subthemes were identified: (1) Types of Prosocial Behaviors Employed; (2) Recipients of Prosocial Behavior; and (3) Study Design and Intervention Impact (subthemes: Intervention Design and The Impact of Prosocial Behavior Interventions on Health Outcomes).

Conclusions: The findings underscore prosocial behavior as a potential strategy to promote positive health outcomes in undergraduate students.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of period poverty in university students and if experiencing period poverty is associated with poor mental health outcomes.

Methods: Participants were n = 311 females assigned at birth attending a university in the northeast US. Seven items assessed period poverty. Participants were also screened for depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation. Logistic regression models assessed main effects after adjusting for gender, sexual orientation, race, age, ethnicity, disability status, and income.

Results: Overall, 18.3% experienced period poverty, with higher odds occurring in students identifying as trans-gender/nonconforming (OR[95%CI] = 3.34 [1.22,9.15]), LGB+ (OR[95%CI] = 1.94 [1.01,3.74]), and Black/African American (OR[95%CI] = 3.61 [1.30,10.0]). Period poverty was associated with higher odds of screening positive for depression (OR[95%CI] = 6.21 [2.45,15.7]), anxiety (OR[95%CI] = 4.01 [2.09,7.68]), and suicide ideation (OR[95%CI] = 2.85 [1.26,6.44]).

Conclusions: Period poverty is prevalent and is associated with adverse mental health outcomes in university students. Government agencies and universities should consider providing free period products to reduce health inequities.

Objective: Graduate students are at higher risk of mental illness, and support and belongingness during graduate school are linked to greater resiliency. This study compared perceived functional support and belongingness between underrepresented graduate students (e.g., non-heterosexual, non-White, non-American citizens, or those with chronic conditions) and majority group graduate students (e.g., heterosexual, White, American citizens, or those without chronic conditions). Participants: 734 graduate students from a large, Midwestern university. Methods: A survey assessed perceived functional support and belongingness, and differences between underrepresented and majority groups were analyzed. Results: Underrepresented students reported less support and feelings of belongingness compared to majority group students. Conclusion: Universities can enhance resiliency and reduce stress among underrepresented students by improving functional support and belongingness. Recommendations are provided.