Psychological Distress and Well-Being among Students of Health Disciplines: The Importance of Academic Satisfaction
Open Access
- 23 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Vol. 18 (4), 2151
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042151
Abstract
Background: Research on the mental health of students in health disciplines mainly focuses on psychological distress and nursing and medical students. This study aimed to investigate the psychological well-being and distress and related factors among undergraduate students training in eight different health-related tracks in Geneva, Switzerland. Methods: This cross-sectional study used established self-filled scales for anxiety, depression, stress, psychological well-being, and study satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analyses were applied. Results: In October 2019, out of 2835 invited students, 915 (32%) completed the survey. Lower academic satisfaction scores were strongly associated with depression (β = −0.26, p < 0.001), anxiety (β = −0.27, p < 0.001), and stress (β = −0.70, p < 0.001), while higher scores were associated with psychological well-being (β = 0.70, p < 0.001). Being female was strongly associated with anxiety and stress but not with depression or psychological well-being. Increased age was associated with enhanced psychological well-being. The nature of the academic training had a lesser impact on mental health and the academic year had none. Conclusion: Academic satisfaction strongly predicts depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological well-being. Training institutions should address the underlying factors that can improve students’ satisfaction with their studies while ensuring that they have access to psychosocial services that help them cope with mental distress and enhance their psychological well-being.Keywords
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- Stress and health in novice and experienced nursing studentsJournal of Advanced Nursing, 2010
- Factors Associated With the Psychological Well-Being and Distress of University StudentsJournal of American College Health, 2009
- Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between the Big Five and Academic Success at UniversityZeitschrift für Psychologie / Journal of Psychology, 2007
- Freshmen adaptation to university life: Depressive symptoms, stress, and copingJournal of Clinical Psychology, 2006
- Student Psychological Distress: A psychometric study of 1750 Norwegian 1st‐year undergraduate studentsScandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 2006
- Key Determinants of Student SatisfactionJournal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 2002
- Construction et validation de l'Échelle de Satisfaction dans les Études (ESDE).Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, 1990
- Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1989
- The Hospital Anxiety and Depression ScaleActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 1983