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11 pages, 638 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Study on Patient Safety Awareness Between Medical School Freshmen and Age-Matched Individuals
by Suguru Kohara, Kentaro Miura, Chie Sasamori, Shuho Hase, Akihito Shu, Kenji Kasai, Asuka Yokoshima, Naofumi Fujishiro and Yasuhiro Otaki
Healthcare 2024, 12(22), 2270; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12222270 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 699
Abstract
Background: To provide more effective pregraduate patient safety education, understanding medical students’ perceptions of patient safety before pregraduate patient safety education is necessary. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine patient safety awareness among medical students at the time of admission and [...] Read more.
Background: To provide more effective pregraduate patient safety education, understanding medical students’ perceptions of patient safety before pregraduate patient safety education is necessary. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine patient safety awareness among medical students at the time of admission and compare it with that among controls. Methods: In the 2019 academic year, 132 medical school freshmen enrolled at Teikyo University and 166 age-matched, non-medical students enrolled at an affiliated institution within the Teikyo University organization were surveyed using an anonymous and self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire divided patient safety awareness into three categories: perception, knowledge, and attitude, which were evaluated on a 5-point Likert scale (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.77). To assess overall patient safety awareness, the total scores were calculated for the item groups on “perception”, “knowledge”, and “attitude” and compared these scores between the two groups. Results: The total scores (mean ± SD) were 104.2 ± 10.2 for medical students and 88.8 ± 9.6 for controls (p < 0.001). In the “perception” and “attitude” item groups, a higher proportion of medical students provided a positive response than controls. In particular, medical students were more motivated to learn about patient safety than the controls. In the “knowledge” item group, neither medical students nor controls provided a high proportion of positive responses. Conclusions: Medical students demonstrated a higher awareness of patient safety than controls and showed a strong sensitivity to patient safety from the time of enrollment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety)
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12 pages, 253 KiB  
Article
Who Are the Freshmen at Highest Risk of Dropping Out of University? Psychological and Educational Implications
by Chiara Buizza, Sara Bornatici, Clarissa Ferrari, Giulio Sbravati, Giuseppe Rainieri, Herald Cela and Alberto Ghilardi
Educ. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1201; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14111201 - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 688
Abstract
It is estimated that one in three students drop out of university by the end of the first year of study. Dropping out of university has significant consequences, not only for the student but also for the university and for society as a [...] Read more.
It is estimated that one in three students drop out of university by the end of the first year of study. Dropping out of university has significant consequences, not only for the student but also for the university and for society as a whole. A total of 1.154 Italian freshmen were involved in this study and were divided based on their intention to dropout from university. The intention to dropout was assessed using five questions, and motivation was assessed through the Academic Motivation Scale. Differences in socio-demographic factors, extra-curriculum activities, academic characteristics, and academic motivation between freshmen with low and high dropout risks were assessed for highlighting potential intervention for limiting dropout rates. The majority of the freshmen were female, from low-income families, had attended high school, and lived out of town; the most represented field of study was health professions. The results indicate that the variables increasing the likelihood of belonging to the high dropout risk group are as follows: unsatisfactory relationships with lecturers/professors and fellow students, low income, amotivation, and extrinsic motivation. This study underlines the importance of adopting new teaching approaches that include spaces and time dedicated to fostering relationships, supporting academic success, and promoting the psychosocial well-being of students. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Education and Psychology)
13 pages, 264 KiB  
Article
Is Intrinsic Motivation Related to Lower Stress among University Students? Relationships between Motivation for Enrolling in a Study Program, Stress, and Coping Strategies
by Sandra Schladitz, Daniel Rölle and Marie Drüge
Educ. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14080851 - 6 Aug 2024
Viewed by 4565
Abstract
Transitioning from high school to university can be a challenging time for students, associated with uncertainty and stress, in part resulting from the vast number of subjects to choose from. Research has shown positive associations between intrinsic motivation and student well-being. Considering the [...] Read more.
Transitioning from high school to university can be a challenging time for students, associated with uncertainty and stress, in part resulting from the vast number of subjects to choose from. Research has shown positive associations between intrinsic motivation and student well-being. Considering the detrimental roles that students’ stress and possibly dysfunctional coping strategies can play regarding general well-being, we investigate relationships between these constructs. Motivation for enrollment in a study program was analyzed in n = 201 first- and higher-semester students with regard to different facets of motivation. Part of the freshmen sample (n = 40) completed an additional follow-up survey in their second semester, expanding on stress and coping strategies. Cross-sectional results showed different patterns of intercorrelation among the motivational facets, but no significant differences between first- and higher-semester students. Longitudinally, only motivation based on social influences decreased over the course of the first semester. Motivation did not prove to be a suitable predictor for retrospectively judged stress during the first semester, but intrinsic motivation, especially, showed encouraging connections to some coping strategies. The findings can be used to improve student well-being and reduce dropout rates, as well as to design suitable marketing strategies for universities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress Management and Student Well-Being)
23 pages, 1392 KiB  
Article
Environmental Factors, Personal Factors, and the Entrepreneurial Intentions of University Students from the Perspective of the Theory of Planned Behavior: Contributions to a Sustainable Vision of Entrepreneurship in the Business Area
by Vilma Geni Slomski, Antonio Vicente Tavares de Souza Junior, Carlos Eduardo Facin Lavarda, Itzhak David Simão Kaveski, Valmor Slomski, Ronaldo Frois de Carvalho and Ana Lucia Fontes de Souza Vasconcelos
Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5304; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135304 - 21 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2087
Abstract
This study analyzed the relationship between environmental and cognitive factors and the entrepreneurial intentions of business students from the perspective of the Planned Behavior Theory. Data were collected in the classroom through a questionnaire that was distributed to 229 freshmen in the first [...] Read more.
This study analyzed the relationship between environmental and cognitive factors and the entrepreneurial intentions of business students from the perspective of the Planned Behavior Theory. Data were collected in the classroom through a questionnaire that was distributed to 229 freshmen in the first year of the Accounting, Economics and Administration course, and the analysis was carried out using the Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). It was found that education and conducive business environments are predictive of cognitive factors, such as a favorable evaluation of an entrepreneurial career choice and social pressures, with indirect effects on intentions to undertake entrepreneurship (EI). In addition, entrepreneurial intentions are influenced by cognitive factors, such as a positive evaluation of an entrepreneurial career and perceived entrepreneurial ability. This demonstrates that environmental factors potentiate cognitive factors and, indirectly, the intention to undertake entrepreneurship (EI). It was identified that public policies do not influence the perceived entrepreneurial capacity and that social pressures are not predictive of the surveyed students’ intentions to undertake entrepreneurship. These data require the attention of universities and governments to create environments that are conducive to entrepreneurship and students’ decisions to engage with sustainable projects and business models. It is concluded that environmental factors are predictive of cognitive aspects with positive and significant effects on the entrepreneurial career intentions of university students. An entrepreneurial attitude and the ability to transform ideas into actions create space for the promotion of a student micro-entrepreneur and the cultivation of a sustainable entrepreneurial culture in higher education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability, Accounting, and Business Strategies)
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11 pages, 260 KiB  
Article
The Interplay of Sleep Quality, Mental Health, and Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors among Italian College Freshmen
by Jessica Dagani, Chiara Buizza, Herald Cela, Giulio Sbravati, Giuseppe Rainieri and Alberto Ghilardi
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2626; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092626 - 29 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1381
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sleep and mental health are closely linked, with sleep deprivation increasing the risk of mental health problems in college students. This study aimed to analyze the role of sleep in the mental health status of a sample of Italian freshmen, considering [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sleep and mental health are closely linked, with sleep deprivation increasing the risk of mental health problems in college students. This study aimed to analyze the role of sleep in the mental health status of a sample of Italian freshmen, considering various mental health outcomes and potential interactions between sleep and other relevant factors, such as sociodemographic characteristics, academic experiences, and mental health history. Methods: All freshmen from a medium-sized Italian university were invited to participate in a multidimensional online survey (n = 3756). Sleep quality was assessed through questions on average hours of sleep per night and on satisfaction of perceived sleep quality. Mental health outcomes included psychophysical well-being, psychological distress, substance use, and problematic internet use. Statistical analysis involved multivariate analysis of variance, followed by pairwise comparisons. Results: The sample (n = 721) exhibited low levels of well-being and a high prevalence of psychological distress (52.1%). Approximately one-third of students (n = 258) were dissatisfied with their sleep quality, and one-fourth (n = 186) reported inadequate sleep (less than 7 h per night). More specifically, 24.4% of students slept on average six hours per night, and 1.4% slept five hours or less. Satisfaction with perceived sleep quality significantly influenced well-being, psychological distress, and cannabis use (ηp2 = 0.02). Interaction effects were observed between satisfaction with sleep quality and drop-out intentions (ηp2 = 0.01), as well as between satisfaction with sleep quality and history of mental health diagnosis (ηp2 = 0.02), both of which were significant for psychological distress and cannabis use. Conclusions: This study highlights the influence of perceived sleep quality on academic distress among college freshmen, particularly those with higher intentions of leaving university and with a history of mental health diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Long-Term Insomnia on Mental Health)
13 pages, 1374 KiB  
Article
The Role of Self-Efficacy, Motivation, and Connectedness in Dropout Intention in a Sample of Italian College Students
by Chiara Buizza, Herald Cela, Giulio Sbravati, Sara Bornatici, Giuseppe Rainieri and Alberto Ghilardi
Educ. Sci. 2024, 14(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14010067 - 7 Jan 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3808
Abstract
Dropout is a critical concern in higher education, with a considerable number of students leaving within the first two years of university. Dropout affects students’ well-being and their academic and career prospects, and institutions’ retention and graduation rates. The aim of this study [...] Read more.
Dropout is a critical concern in higher education, with a considerable number of students leaving within the first two years of university. Dropout affects students’ well-being and their academic and career prospects, and institutions’ retention and graduation rates. The aim of this study was to explore the mediating role of motivation and cognitive strategies for learning in the relationship among self-efficacy, connectedness, and university dropout intention. A total of 790 Italian college freshmen were involved in this study. The sample was recruited through a web survey consisting of the Academic Motivation Scale, Perceived School Self-Efficacy Scale, University Connectedness Scale, and Self-Regulated Knowledge Scale-University. The freshmen’s intentions to drop out were assessed with five questions. The average age of the freshmen was 20.9 years, most of them were female, and were attending a degree program in the medical area. The results show that self-efficacy is the most important predictor of dropout intentions, followed by university connectedness. Self-regulated knowledge has an important role in predicting dropout intention by acting as a mediator between self-efficacy and motivation.This study underlines the importance of investing in training and orientation interventions in order to develop the skills to face the university path, increasing self-efficacy, motivation, and consequently students’ well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health of College Students in the Post-pandemic Era)
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18 pages, 2949 KiB  
Article
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Liberal Arts Education: An Empirical Study in Hong Kong
by Qingyun Li, Youliang Zhang, Kam Wing Cheung, Zhongyang Zhang and King Sun Lam
Educ. Sci. 2023, 13(7), 636; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13070636 - 22 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1807
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has instigated considerable unprecedented challenges to tertiary education in the aftermath of the mass shutdown of universities across Hong Kong since early 2020. Accordingly, shifting the traditional modalities to the online model has been opted for as the only reasonable [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has instigated considerable unprecedented challenges to tertiary education in the aftermath of the mass shutdown of universities across Hong Kong since early 2020. Accordingly, shifting the traditional modalities to the online model has been opted for as the only reasonable alternative in the breakout period. It is, then, essential for educators to perceive the extent to which students’ learning attainments and experiences have been negatively impacted by these educational changes in the post-pandemic era. With the aim of examining the abrupt changes which the freshmen students’ e-learning experiences and their learning environment have undergone before and after the pandemic, the present quantitative study was conducted at a Liberal Arts Institution in Hong Kong, whose data was collected via the web-based questionnaire FYSLES, or “first-year student learning experience survey”. Quantitative analysis of responses indicated that students’ impressions and experience of liberal arts education, and students’ personalities and skills development, presented a U-shaped trend during the COVID-19 pandemic. The underlying rationale of this study is addressed to higher education policymakers to orient and add value to their safety measures, pertinent recommendations, as well as in context strategies that could be established in view of the pandemic’s detrimental effects. Full article
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15 pages, 1342 KiB  
Article
University Student Dropout Prediction Using Pretrained Language Models
by Hyun-Sik Won, Min-Ji Kim, Dohyun Kim, Hee-Soo Kim and Kang-Min Kim
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(12), 7073; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13127073 - 13 Jun 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3897
Abstract
Predicting student dropout from universities is an imperative but challenging task. Numerous data-driven approaches that utilize both student demographic information (e.g., gender, nationality, and high school graduation year) and academic information (e.g., GPA, participation in activities, and course evaluations) have shown meaningful results. [...] Read more.
Predicting student dropout from universities is an imperative but challenging task. Numerous data-driven approaches that utilize both student demographic information (e.g., gender, nationality, and high school graduation year) and academic information (e.g., GPA, participation in activities, and course evaluations) have shown meaningful results. Recently, pretrained language models have achieved very successful results in understanding the tasks associated with structured data as well as textual data. In this paper, we propose a novel student dropout prediction framework based on demographic and academic information, using a pretrained language model to capture the relationship between different forms of information. To this end, we first formulate both types of information in natural language form. We then recast the student dropout prediction task as a natural language inference (NLI) task. Finally, we fine-tune the pretrained language models to predict student dropout. In particular, we further enhance the model using a continuous hypothesis. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model is effective for the freshmen dropout prediction task. The proposed method exhibits significant improvements of as much as 9.00% in terms of F1-score compared with state-of-the-art techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies and Applications of Natural Language Processing)
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15 pages, 1186 KiB  
Article
Excess Weight in Relation to Lifestyle Habits in Spanish First-Year University Students: Differences between Pre- and Post-COVID-19—A Serial Cross-Sectional Study Based on uniHcos Project
by Natalia Hernández-Segura, Lorena Botella-Juan, Carmen Amezcua-Prieto, María Morales-Suárez-Varela, Ramona Mateos-Campos, Tania Fernández-Villa, Rocío Ortiz-Moncada, Ana Almaraz, Alicia Narciso-Rufo, Carlos Ayán-Pérez, Antonio José Molina and UniHcos Project Working Group
Healthcare 2023, 11(11), 1547; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111547 - 25 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2010
Abstract
The objective of this research was to study the relationship between the body weight and diet, physical activity, and other habits among freshmen students by sex, and to determine whether these habits have changed during the post-era of the COVID-19 pandemic. A serial [...] Read more.
The objective of this research was to study the relationship between the body weight and diet, physical activity, and other habits among freshmen students by sex, and to determine whether these habits have changed during the post-era of the COVID-19 pandemic. A serial cross-sectional study with data from 11 Spanish universities was carried out. In total, 10,096 first-year university students (73.2% female, mean age = 19.0 ± 1.5 years) completed an online self-administered questionnaire between 2012 and 2022. For some analyses, questionnaires were categorized by the year in which the survey was filled out as Before COVID-19, Lockdown, and New Normal. In total, 72.9% of participants were within the normal weight range, and 17.7% of men and 11.8% of women were overweight (p < 0.001). The students who did not meet the WHO criteria of physical activity, spent more than 7 h per day sitting, and skipped breakfast had a higher prevalence of obesity (p < 0.05). According to the period of study, the prevalence of overweight/obesity Before COVID-19 was 16.1% (95% CI: 15.4–16.9%), while in Lockdown the prevalence was significantly higher (20.2, 95% CI: 17.1–23.8) and in New Normal it was 18.9% (CI: 15.7–22.5). Moreover, the study suggests that during the Lockdown period, there was a reduction in the practice of physical activity and an increase in the prevalence of a healthy diet. For all these, it is necessary to propose public health interventions that improve the lifestyles of university students. Full article
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25 pages, 3295 KiB  
Article
Career Profiles of University Students: How STEM Students Distinguish Regarding Interests, Prestige and Sextype
by Divan Mouton, Florian G. Hartmann and Bernhard Ertl
Educ. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13030324 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2781
Abstract
Various factors may be important while individuals develop vocational aspirations. Although occupations that fit one’s personal interests appear to be attractive, contextual factors may repel groups, such as young girls, to develop towards areas such as STEM. Especially, the sextype of STEM occupations, [...] Read more.
Various factors may be important while individuals develop vocational aspirations. Although occupations that fit one’s personal interests appear to be attractive, contextual factors may repel groups, such as young girls, to develop towards areas such as STEM. Especially, the sextype of STEM occupations, that is often considered as male, could limit STEM career choice of young girls. This study investigates career profiles of n = 9277 German university freshmen based on interests, prestige, and sextype. Eleven latent profiles were found. Five profiles can be characterized by their prestige levels and two further by their sextype. Certain profiles are significantly associated with study outcomes and study satisfaction, which allows to identify at-risk profiles. Of note, especially female students in STEM subjects with a low proportion of females distributed widely across the 11 profiles. The implications of this study suggest that career choice profiles according to Gottfredson’s framework can help to identify at-risk students. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sticking with STEM: Who Comes, Who Stays, Who Goes, and Why?)
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14 pages, 523 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Temperature on 24-Hour Movement Behaviors among Chinese Freshmen Students
by Hongjun Yu, Yiling Song, Yangyang Wang, Xiaoxin Wang, Haoxuan Li, Xiaolu Feng and Miao Yu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4970; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064970 - 11 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2219
Abstract
Background: Human populations worldwide have experienced substantial climate change issues. Gaps in scientific literature remain regarding the relationship between temperature and 24-hour movement behavior among people. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of temperature on 24-hour movement behavior including [...] Read more.
Background: Human populations worldwide have experienced substantial climate change issues. Gaps in scientific literature remain regarding the relationship between temperature and 24-hour movement behavior among people. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of temperature on 24-hour movement behavior including physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and sleep duration among university students living in Beijing, China. Methods: We conducted follow-up health surveys on 44,693 freshmen students enrolled at Tsinghua University from 2012 to 2018. PA and SB were measured by using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-s); sleep duration was estimated by using The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI). Corresponding temperature data measured by the Beijing Meteorological Service were collected to include average daily temperature from the nearest weather station to Tsinghua university. The data were analyzed using linear individual fixed-effect regressions. Results: An increase in temperature (temperature range 2.29–28.73 °C) by 1 °C was associated with an increase in 0.66 weekly minutes of vigorous physical activity (VPA) (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.49, 0.82), an increase in 0.56 weekly minutes of moderate physical activity (MPA)(95% CI = 0.32, 0.79), an increase in 1.21 weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (95% CI = 0.90, 1.53), an increase in 0.55 weekly minutes of walking (95% CI = 0.31, 0.78), an increase in 1.76 weekly minutes of total PA (95% CI = 1.35, 2.17), and a reduction in 1.60 weekly minutes of sleeping (95% CI = −2.09, −1.11). There was no significant correlation between temperature and sedentary behavior among participants. Conclusions: Temperature was significantly positively correlated with physical activity levels in the Chinese freshmen students, and significantly negatively correlated with sleep duration. Replication of this study is warranted among various populations within China. The evidence of this novel study focused on understanding the relationship between climate change and 24-hour movement behaviors among people for developing effective adaptation strategies to climate change to improve people’s health behavior. This study has important implications for future study, as knowledge of the impact of temperature on movement behavior may help in the interpretation of their results and translate into improving people’s health behavior. Full article
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17 pages, 942 KiB  
Article
College Students’ Attitude towards Waste Separation and Recovery on Campus
by Dongxu Qu, Tetiana Shevchenko, Zahra Shams Esfandabadi and Meisam Ranjbari
Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1620; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021620 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7122
Abstract
As large communities, the efficiency and effectiveness of waste management on university campuses are of concern. This study aims to verify the variable relationship, influence path, and regulating factors of college students’ attitudes and behavior toward waste separation. A questionnaire survey was conducted [...] Read more.
As large communities, the efficiency and effectiveness of waste management on university campuses are of concern. This study aims to verify the variable relationship, influence path, and regulating factors of college students’ attitudes and behavior toward waste separation. A questionnaire survey was conducted at Henan Institute of Science and Technology, China, with 1300 respondents, among which 1213 questionnaires were valid. The SPSS software v23.0 was used to carry out the statistical analysis of the collected data by applying multiple analyses. The results showed that (i) females outperform males across attitudes and internal and external contextual factors, (ii) freshmen showed more positive waste separation behaviors, while upper-year students’ behaviors were more susceptible to contextual factors, (iii) college students’ attitudes, especially the knowledge factor, have a significant positive influence on behaviors, and (iv) the external contextual factors, as moderating variables, have a significant difference in the impact amplitude at different levels when attitudes affect behaviors. Our findings supplement the limited information available on the potential implications of applying the ABC model in exploring the factors influencing waste separation behaviors among college students. The provided insights can support college students, university administrators, policymakers, and government departments in more effectively optimizing, designing, and managing waste systems on campuses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Waste Management towards a Circular Economy Transition)
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10 pages, 284 KiB  
Article
Perceived Social Support and Engagement in First-Year Students: The Mediating Role of Belonging during COVID-19
by Jorge Maluenda-Albornoz, José Berríos-Riquelme, Valeria Infante-Villagrán and Karla Lobos-Peña
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010597 - 29 Dec 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4713
Abstract
Academic engagement and the conditions that favor it have become relevant in recent decades due to their relationship with academic performance, well-being, and university permanence. Variables such as perceived social support and sense of belonging are relevant aspects of social integration to promote [...] Read more.
Academic engagement and the conditions that favor it have become relevant in recent decades due to their relationship with academic performance, well-being, and university permanence. Variables such as perceived social support and sense of belonging are relevant aspects of social integration to promote engagement. Evidence shows both variables predicting engagement. In addition, the available evidence suggests this possible mediating role, which requires further analysis in freshmen in the emergency teaching context due to the COVID-19. The present study aims to evaluate the mediating role of sense of belonging in the relationship between perceived social support and engagement in university students. Results showed significant predictive relationships between social integration variables and engagement and showed the mediating role of sense of belonging in the relation between perceived social support and the three types of engagement. These results suggest the relevance for degree programs to consider these social integration variables as a key element for university freshmen. Full article
11 pages, 271 KiB  
Article
A Survey of Living Conditions and Psychological Distress in Japanese University Freshmen during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Yoko Iio, Yukihiro Mori, Yuka Aoyama, Hana Kozai, Mamoru Tanaka, Makoto Aoike, Hatsumi Kawamura, Manato Seguchi, Masato Tsurudome and Morihiro Ito
Healthcare 2023, 11(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11010094 - 28 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1944
Abstract
Since the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, educational institutions have implemented measures such as school closures, raising concerns regarding the increase in psychological distress among university students. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that have influenced psychological distress among [...] Read more.
Since the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, educational institutions have implemented measures such as school closures, raising concerns regarding the increase in psychological distress among university students. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that have influenced psychological distress among college freshmen during the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire survey was conducted at the conclusion of the sixth wave of COVID-19 in Japan. Psychological distress was measured using the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Factors affecting psychological distress were calculated using regression analysis. Of the 2536 participants, 1841 (72.6%) reported having no psychological distress, while 695 (27.4%) reported having psychological distress. Factors that were identified to contribute to psychological distress were lack of sleep, weight gain or loss, worsening of interpersonal relationships, and physical symptoms and illnesses. A willingness to join an athletic club and having an environment in which it is easy to discuss worries and anxieties with others were factors that were identified to hinder psychological distress. It is necessary for universities to offer enhanced supports for physical and interpersonal activities. Additionally, it is imperative to encourage students to look after their physical health and to actively utilize university-based consultation systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection COVID-19: Impact on Public Health and Healthcare)
10 pages, 995 KiB  
Article
Previous School Bullying-Associated Depression in Chinese College Students: The Mediation of Personality
by Hongjie Li, Xueyan Qian, Jian Gong, Haiying Dong, Xuejiao Chai, Hong Chao and Xiaolei Yang
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13010014 - 23 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2780
Abstract
Previous school bullying was associated with increased risk of depression in students. However, little was known about the role of the Big Five personality traits in this association. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mediation by the Big Five [...] Read more.
Previous school bullying was associated with increased risk of depression in students. However, little was known about the role of the Big Five personality traits in this association. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mediation by the Big Five personality traits in this association in a large group of Chinese college students, and to provide help for educators to prevent students from serious psychological and mental diseases caused by school bullying. Random stratified cluster sampling was used to survey 2152 college students ranging from freshmen to seniors at three universities in Qiqihar city, Heilongjiang Province, China. The risk factors for previous school bullying included gender, living expenses per month, caregivers, parents often quarreling, and divorced parents. Males were more likely to be bullied at school than females. The influencing factors of depression include gender, caregivers, living expenses per month, frequent parents quarreling, and parental divorce. Females were more prone to depression than males. Depression was significantly correlated with all dimensions of school bullying and the Big Five personality traits (p < 0.05). The Big Five personality traits were found to play a significant mediating role between depression and school bullying in up to 45% of cases involving depression. Our major findings highlighted the promising role of personality-based intervention measures in reducing the risk of depression associated with school bullying in Chinese students. Full article
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