This study investigated correlations between college students' intentions to adopt COVID-19 prevention behaviors (i.e., handwashing, mask wearing, and social distancing) and their attitudes, perceived norms, perceived efficacy, and information seeking. Students ( = 326) from a large Midwestern university recruited via simple random sampling. Using a cross-sectional survey from mid-March to April 2021, structural equation modeling assessed intentions across behaviors. Attitudes and perceived self-efficacy were variably associated with intentions. Perceived injunctive norms were linked to intention across all behaviors. Response efficacy was associated only with social distancing intentions. Information seeking was tied to attitudes, perceived injunctive norms, and perceived response efficacy, across all behaviors. Information seeking affected how college students evaluate prevention behaviors, emphasizing the importance of disseminating accessible and accurate health information in this context. The findings also highlight the need for future interventions to tailor to the unique barriers and motivators for different prevention behaviors.

Reviewed empirical studies involving meditation-related interventions for college and university students during the past decade. Based on inclusion criteria, 44 studies were selected for the review and categorized into three major areas: attention, academic performance, and mental health (stress/anxiety). Areas were systemically reviewed and synthesized. Review findings suggest that, while appearing to have inconsistent impacts on academic performance, meditation practice with college students demonstrates more conclusive evidence in regard to attention including mind-wandering and the reduction of stress and anxiety. Meditation interventions continue to show promise as alternative treatments for mental health on campuses. However, well-designed studies are still needed to answer questions on meditation practices with students, including dosage, specific techniques, and impact on diverse populations.

: Grounded in the Social Rank Theory, this study examined the levels and associations of subjective social status (SSS), depressive symptoms (DEP), and suicidal ideation (SI). : Participants included 956 U.S. college students ( = 19.94,  = 2.78; 75% females [ = 716], 24% males [ = 228], 41% Whites [ = 395], 59% students of color [ = 561]. : Participants completed a questionnaire including their SSS, DEP, and SI. : Females scored significantly higher than males on DEP and SI. There was a significant, negative SSS-DEP correlation in males, females, Whites, students of color, males and females of color. A significant, negative SSS-DEP correlation was found in males, females, Whites, students of color, and females of color, except in males of color. The negative SSS-DEP and SSS-SI links were stronger in students of color than Whites. : Study contributions, limitations, and practical implications are discussed.

: To understand the lived experiences and needs of college students with chronic pain living in the US and the UK. College students ( = 115), mean age 21.4 years (SD = 1.73). As part of a larger survey, students were asked: (1) How, if at all, living with pain impacted their college experience; (2) Support they did/did not receive from students, faculty, staff, and college services; (3) What support would be most helpful to them as a college student living with pain. Qualitative data were analyzed using an immersion/crystallization approach. Four main themes were identified: (1) Stress resulting from the rigid demands of academic life can exacerbate pain; (2) Lack of communication leaves many students feeling isolated; (3) Frustration at lack of faculty support; and (4) Need for chronic pain to be recognized. The findings suggest areas for intervention to support college students living with pain during this defining period.

To determine the direct and indirect effects of sexual assault on sleep health in varsity athletes.

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 included 104,162 students (2,814 military/veteran) who completed a survey for the Healthy Minds Study between 2014 and 2018. A combined mixed effect model and models stratified by military status to determine differences in belongingness between military/veteran students and civilian students. Unadjusted models indicated military/veteran students reported lower belongingness than civilian students ( = -0.10,  < . 001). However, adjusting for demographic characteristics and state and school attributes reduced this effect ( = -0.04,  = .001). 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.

To identify student diversity, physical activity (PA), and PA referrals to PA counseling by campus healthcare providers (HCPs). University students ( = 1030, M = 21.14) utilizing on-campus healthcare. Data were collected from university healthcare visits. PA was measured using Physical Activity Vital Sign. The final sample was predominantly women (74.6%), non-Hispanic or Latino (83.2%), and white (60.9%). Fifty-seven percent were insufficiently active. Men and white students reported significantly more weekly minutes of PA than women and students of color, respectively ( < .01). There were no significant differences in PA between ethnic groups ( = .39). PA referrals by HCPs were completed in only 1.5% of the sample. Given that most university students were insufficiently active, whilst low rates of PA referrals by HCPs occurred, interventions to increase PA among diverse samples of university students and PA referrals among HCPs are imperative.

The transition to college is associated with rising rates of depressive symptoms and decreased well-being. It is critical to identify protective psychological factors for this period. One possible protective factor is psychological flexibility, or the ability to pursue self-identified values despite distressing thoughts and emotions. This study examined associations among psychological flexibility components and well-being outcomes in first semester college students. The sample consisted of 238 diverse first-semester college students recruited from five universities. Using structural equation modeling, we examined associations among three components of psychological flexibility and two dimensions of well-being (i.e., depressive symptoms and sense of belonging at college). All three psychological flexibility components were associated with less severe depressive symptoms, but only was associated with higher sense of belonging. Results highlight psychological flexibility as a novel set of resilience factors with differential associations with key outcomes during the transition to college.

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.

: This research effort developed, implemented, and evaluated an inexpensive poster campaign designed to influence on-campus mental health culture and stigma. : 124 students at a Californian graduate-only university participated in the evaluation. : A single-group, pretest-posttest, quasi-experimental design tested the effect of exposing graduate students to posters carrying attribution-based messages. The campaign lasted for seven weeks in 2023. : Although not all outcomes were influenced, statistically significant increases in perceptions of mental health culture and willingness to disclose mental health struggles to peers and faculty were detected with medium effect sizes. There were also statistically significant increases in visits to an intervention website advertised exclusively on campaign materials. No backfiring effects were detected, an issue that campaigns must be vigilant about. : Given the low cost of implementation, this mental health campaign represents an inexpensive, low-effort approach that can favorably influence graduate student perceptions of campus mental health culture and willingness to disclose.

The purpose of the study was to test whether associations between affect variability and mental health (i.e., anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, flourishing) differ by mean levels of affect during the COVID-19 pandemic. College students ( = 1883; =19.81,  = 1.33) completed a survey and 21 daily reports of affect ( = 19.41 surveys,  = 4.19). We calculated mean affect and affect variability (i.e., standard deviation) from daily reports. Regression models then tested associations between positive and negative affect variability and mental health. Participants with higher positive affect variability had higher anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and surprisingly higher flourishing. Higher negative affect variability was associated with poor mental health for individuals with low mean negative affect, and was associated with better mental health for individuals with high mean negative affect. Affect variability may simultaneously tax mental health for certain individuals and enable others to appreciate daily experiences and have better mental health.

This study examined characteristics and usage patterns of students who use a campus-based food pantry at a private university. Student clients of a campus-based food pantry at a private university ( = 30). A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews. A supplementary questionnaire assessing demographics, food security, and campus-based pantry usage/satisfaction was administered. 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. 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.

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. All participants ( = 152) and peer coaches were undergraduate students attending the same university. 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. We found our peer coaching model to be feasible for delivery phone and text, however acceptability varied widely. Phone coaching performed significantly better than the text format. 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.

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

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. Students ( = 741) completed an online survey assessing PWB and volunteerism (frequency and motives). A positive correlation was found between PWB and volunteering frequency ( = 0.14,  < 0.001). Factors motivating volunteerism and PWB were associated: protective-to lessen negative feelings and/or avoid personal problems ( = 0.193), enhancement-self-oriented motivation ( = 0.237), social-develop relationships ( = 0.276), career-improve career prospects ( = 0.287), values-altruism ( = 0.348), and understanding-knowledge ( = 0.362), all  < 0.001. 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.

Better understanding how behavioral health professions students were impacted by COVID-19 can help educators inform their education practices. The present study examined the impact of COVID-19 among  = 83 students enrolled in two universities across five graduate-level behavioral health training programs - clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychiatric nursing, and social work. Participants completed the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII), and descriptive statistics were examined. On average, fourteen life issues were impacted negatively by COVID-19. The most reported negative impacts of COVID-19 were more time on screens/devices, canceling/restricting family celebrations, and canceling planned travel. Participants also endorsed positive impacts of COVID-19, including increased appreciation for, and more attention paid to, personal health. Students have been impacted by COVID-19 both negatively and positively. Educators need to be mindful of the multifaceted impacts and continue to adjust their training considerations to adapt as needed.

This mixed-methods study examined attitudes, barriers, and preferences for mobile mental health interventions among first-year college students.

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. 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 () or guided imagery with PDMR (). 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). 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. This research lends support for weekly participation in a mind-body class as a viable method to decrease stress for college students.

We aimed to investigate the association between exposure settings and secondary SARS-CoV-2 transmission among university students. Students diagnosed with COVID-19 ( = 139) and randomly selected controls ( = 262) identified between April 4-December 5, 2021. This was a 1:2 case-control study. Exposure setting was categorized as academic/occupational, household, social/athletics, and multiple settings. Transmission was assessed by record of positive SARS-CoV-2 test among contacts within 14 days after most recent exposure. Compared to exposure in the academic/occupational setting, all other settings had significantly higher odds of secondary SARS-CoV-2 transmission, adjusting for contact vaccination status, index case vaccination status, and contact sex (p-values ≤ 0.05). In the adjusted model, contact sex was found to be significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Among university students, academic/occupational settings had the lowest odds of SARS-CoV-2 transmission given safety measures in place. Future studies should analyze SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequence data to verify sources of infection.

: This study explores rates and correlates of NSSI and suicidality of women college athletes, taking into consideration sport competition level (i.e., intramural, club, varsity). : Data were drawn from self-identified women college athletes ( = 8,842) who participated in the Healthy Minds Study. : Mental health correlates of NSSI and suicidality were assessed with logistic regression. : Approximately 19%-24% of the women college athlete sample reported past-year engagement in NSSI; 8%-10% reported suicidal ideation; 3%-4% reported suicidal planning; and 0.8%-1% reported attempted suicide. Rates of NSSI and suicidal ideation were relatively higher for club sports women college athletes. Clinical mental health concerns, substance use concerns, positive mental health, and interpersonal concerns were correlates of NSSI and suicidality, with variations observed across competition level. Findings spotlight the urgency to intervene in NSSI and suicidality among women college athletes while being informed of demographic, sport, and mental health risk factors.

Describe the experiences of students in an undergraduate Assistance Dog Training Program (ADTP) academic minor. Students enrolled ADTP at a large, public research university. Qualitative and quantitative survey data and historical program evaluation data were analyzed to describe student experiences. Furthermore, the PERMA (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments) theory of well-being was used as a theoretical lens to understand participant well-being. ADTP provided opportunities for meaningful service learning, working with animals, developing career interests, fulfilling personal interests, and meeting degree requirements. ADTP participation positively influenced the undergraduate experience by advancing personal and academic growth and life skill development. Finally, the ADTP positively influenced student well-being. Lessons learned to strengthen the ADTP were identified and are discussed. The ADTP can be a model for replication on other campuses to meet the need for more assistance dogs and potentially to support student and community well-being.