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Despite growing concern about opioid misuse and mental health of college students, little is known about this population who are at high risk of co-occurrence and unmet needs. This national study aims to estimate the prevalence of opioid misuse, examine correlates with anxiety and depression symptoms, and quantify help-seeking behaviors among U.S. college students. Data come from students in the Healthy Minds Study between 2017 and 2020 (n = 176,191). Validated screening tools assessed mental health symptoms (PHQ-9, GAD-7). Marginal effects of logistic regression models estimate the effect of opioid misuse on mental health symptoms, help-seeking and academic performance. 782 students indicated past month opioid misuse. Student opioid misuse was associated with 24.1 percentage point increase in the probability of screening positive for anxiety/depression (p < 0.001) and 3.6 percentage point increase in the probability of informal help-seeking (p = 0.017). Less than half of students with opioid misuse and a positive depression/anxiety screen received any treatment in the past year. Limitations to this study include: possible non-response bias, as it is unknown whether students with opioid misuse may be differentially-likely to respond to the survey; differing time frame for opioid misuse and mental health questions; and data was collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This large, multi-campus study underlines the need for more partnership between substance use and mental health services on campus. It also highlights that college peers could receive training in ways to best help students who misuse opioids, directing them to on- or off-campus care. • 782 students (0.44 %) indicated past month opioid misuse. • Opioid misuse associated with 24.1 percentage point increase in anxiety/depression. • Opioid misuse associated with 3.6 percentage point increase of informal help-seeking. • <50 % with opioid misuse and anxiety/depression received past-year treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing research examines social determinants of health, including structural oppression and discrimination. Microaggression – subtle/ambiguous slights against one's marginalized identity – is distinct from discrimination, which typically presents as overt and hostile. The current study investigated the comparative effects of each exposure on young adult anxiety, depression, and sleep. Race-stratified analyses investigated patterns across groups. Young adults (N = 48,606) completed the Spring 2022 American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III. Logistic regressions tested odds of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance in association with microaggression and discrimination exposure. Microaggression and discrimination equally predicted increased likelihood of anxiety symptoms (OR Micro = 1.42, OR Discrim = 1.46). Discrimination more strongly predicted depressive symptoms (OR = 1.59) and sleep disturbance (OR = 1.54) than did microaggression (OR Depress = 1.24, OR Sleep = 1.27). Race-stratified analyses indicated stronger associations between the each exposure and poor mental health in Whites than Asian American, Black/African American, and Hispanic or Latino/a/x respondents. Microaggression and discrimination exposure were each assessed using a single item. The outcome measures were not assessed using validated measures of anxiety, depression, and sleep (e.g., GAD-7, MOS-SS); thus results should be interpreted with caution. Analyses were cross-sectional hindering our ability to make causal inferences. The findings provide preliminary evidence that microaggression and discrimination exposure operate on health in distinct ways. Racially marginalized individuals may demonstrate a blunted stress response relative to Whites. Treatment approaches must be tailored to the particular exposures facing affected individuals to maximize benefits. • One in five college students experienced microaggression/discrimination the past year. • Exposure rates were higher in racially marginalized students than in Whites. • Microaggression and discrimination each predicted increased odds of all symptoms. • Pathways from the exposures to anxiety, depression, and sleep varied for microaggression versus discrimination. • Clinicians must proactively address identity-based exposures to advance mental health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of information and communications technology, the prevalence of cyberbullying and its influences on mental health among college students have received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to survey the prevalence of cyberbullying in Chinese college students and to investigate the association between cyberbullying, emotional exhaustion and the perception of collective efficacy. The study sample included 5315 respondents from ten different colleges in Liaoning Province. Their demographic characteristics and characteristics of online behaviors and instruments including a Cyberbullying Scale with 12 items, the Emotional Exhaustion measuring scale, and the Perception of Collective Efficacy Scale, were employed. The prevalence of cyberbullying victimization was 26.45 % (1406/5315). Younger male college students who had more active online lives were more likely to be cyberbullying victims. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that being a cyberbullying victim (odds ratio, OR = 2.188; 95%CI, 1.841–2.600, p < 0.001) was associated with emotional exhaustion. Perceptions of collective efficacy (PCE) is negatively associated with cyberbullying and, thus, alleviate emotional exhaustion and mediate the negative effect of emotional exhaustion after it occurs. Cyberbullying occurs quite frequently among Chinese college students. Cyberbullying is a predictor of emotional exhaustion. PCE play a bidirectional role before and after cyberbullying occurs. Our study highlights the importance of the identification of potential cyberbullying victims and of the provision of early interventions in cyberbullying among Chinese college students to improve their mental health. • The study sample included 5315 respondents from ten different colleges in Liaoning Province. • Cyberbullying occurs quite frequently among Chinese college students. • Cyberbullying victimization n had a significant and positive predictive effect on emotional exhaustion • Perception of Collective Efficacy play a bidirectional role before and after cyberbullying occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor mental health among young adults in higher education is a growing concern. In recent years, the visibility of racism has sharply risen. Vicarious discrimination is defined as the secondhand witnessing of racism, and given society's increased accessibility to social media and the Internet, addressing indirect violence is urgently needed to inform anti-racism and mental health efforts. The current study examined associations between vicarious discrimination and mental health across a large sample of young college students in the United States. We analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study (HMS; 2020–2021; N =130,566) and used multivariable logistic regression to examine whether past-year vicarious discrimination was associated with various mental health outcomes, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and direct discrimination. The sample was predominantly white (n =31,438, 63.66%) and female-identifying (n =34,313, 69.49%) with an average age of 21.1 years. Approximately 35.9% of the sample endorsed experiencing vicarious discrimination. Vicarious discrimination was associated with greater depression (OR:1.97; 95% CI: [1.86,2.09], p < 0.001), anxiety (OR:1.82; 95% CI: [1.72,1.92], p<0.001), languishing (OR:1.75; 95% CI: [1.65,1.87], p <0.001), perceived need for treatment (OR:2.24; 95% CI: [2.10,2.40], p <0.001), suicidal ideation (OR:1.86; 95% CI: [1.73,2.01], p <0.001), suicide plan (OR:1.91; 95% CI: [1.71,2.14], p<0.001), suicide attempt (OR:1.89; 95% CI: [1.51,2.36], p <0.001), self-injurious behavior (OR:2.0; 95% CI: [1.88,2.12], p <0.001), and loneliness (OR:1.67; 95% CI: [1.58,1.77], p<0.001). Consistent with growing literature, vicarious discrimination was associated with poorer mental health among young college students. Additional research should investigate moderators, mediators, and interventions to support those who may be impacted indirectly by discrimination. • Poor mental health among young adults in higher education is a growing concern. • In recent years, the visibility of racism in the United States has sharply risen. • Vicarious discrimination is the secondhand witnessing of racism towards someone else. • Vicarious discrimination is associated with poorer mental health among college students. • Practice and research could support students impacted vicariously by discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphone addiction is an increasingly severe issue in modern society, particularly impacting the mental health of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the relationship between smartphone addiction and mental health issues among college students, and the mediating and moderating roles of psychological resilience and parental attachment. We employed a cross-sectional study design with 100,097 college Chinese students to examine the relationships between smartphone addiction, mental health (anxiety and depression), and the mediating role of psychological resilience. Parental attachment was assessed as a moderator within these relationships. Data were analyzed using multiple regression and mediation/moderation models, controlling for relevant covariates. Our findings revealed a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction and both anxiety and depression. Psychological resilience mediated these relationships, suggesting that higher resilience levels can mitigate the negative psychological impacts of smartphone addiction. Additionally, parental attachment moderated the effects of smartphone addiction on psychological outcomes; stronger attachment was associated with less pronounced effects of addiction on anxiety and depression. Specifically, for students with low parental attachment, the predictive effect of smartphone addiction on anxiety and depression was more pronounced, whereas higher attachment levels were protective. • Uses a sample of 90,000+ students, improving generalizability and statistical power. • Reveals a strong link between smartphone addiction, anxiety, and depression during COVID-19. • Shows that resilience mediates, and parental attachment moderates, the mental health impacts of smartphone addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the stages of the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia have increasingly manifested among Chinese college students. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between these symptoms through network analysis among Chinese college students during COVID-19. A three-wave cross-sectional survey was conducted at 22 colleges in Guangdong Province, involving 381,152 students during three specific time intervals: T1 (baseline, February 3 to 10, 2020), T2 (19 months after baseline, June 10 to 18, 2021), and T3 (37 months after baseline, March 15 to April 22, 2023). Depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and insomnia (YSIS) were used separately. We analyzed two key network indices: "Expected influence" and "Bridge expected influence". Network stability was assessed through a case-dropping bootstrap program. The effective sample sizes for the three periods were as follows: T1 - 164,101 (103,645 females, 63.2 %), T2 - 86,767 (52,146 females, 60.1 %), and T3 - 130,284 (76,720 females, 58.9 %). Across these three periods, the key central symptoms were "Fatigue" (PHQ4), "Restlessness" (GAD5), "Uncontrollable worrying" (GAD2), "Worry too much" (GAD3) and "Sleep insufficiency" (YSIS6). Notably, "Fatigue" (PHQ4), "Restlessness" (GAD5) and "Irritability" (GAD6) consistently served as bridge symptoms. In the T1 and T2 period, "Motor" (PHQ8) acted as a bridge symptom but weakened in T3. Throughout the three periods, the mental health issues among Chinese college students displayed characteristics of somatization within the depression-anxiety-insomnia comorbidity network. Over time, anxiety symptoms appeared to become more prominent. Consequently, this study highlights the importance of accurately identifying and promptly intervening in these core symptoms of mental health among college students, as these symptoms may evolve across different stages of a pandemic. • The symptom network of depression, anxiety and insomnia in college students at different epidemic stages was discussed. • Throughout the three periods, the mental health issues among Chinese college students displayed characteristics of somatization within the depression-anxiety-insomnia comorbidity network. • Over time, anxiety symptoms appeared to become more prominent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate how trends in mental health (e.g., diagnosis/treatment of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation) varied across intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation in a large, national sample of undergraduate students. Data from the American College Health Association, and National College Health Assessment II: 2016–2019 were analyzed (N = 228,640 undergraduate students from 442 campuses, ages 18–24; 67.8 % female, 40.4 % BIPOC, 3.0 % non-binary (trans/non-conforming), 19.4 % LGBQ+). We used logistic regression to predict each mental health indicator; covariates included year, gender, BIPOC, LGBQ+ status, and their interactions, as well as other covariate controls (e.g., region, year in school). There were significant and steady increases in the odds of each mental health indicator by year (ORs = 1.12–1.13), which were significantly greater in magnitude for LGBQ+ students (ORs = 1.20–1.23). Increases did not vary by gender, race/ethnicity, or intersections between these groups and LGBQ+ status. There were significant interactions between identity groups that aligned with intersectional and minority stress theories (which did not vary by year). Non-Hispanic White students had significantly greater odds of past-year treatment/diagnosis of depression and anxiety compared to BIPOC students; however, BIPOC students had significantly greater odds of past-year suicidal ideation and this was pronounced for BIPOC women. Being non-binary x LGBQ+ was associated with significantly greater odds of each indicator. Results affirm the importance of promoting mental health among college students, with a particular focus on how to better serve and support BIPOC, non-binary, and LGBQ+ students. • Mental health indicators increased linearly from 2016 to 2019 • Rates increased more so for LGBQ+ students • Rates did not increase more for any other intersectional groups • BIPOC students continue to be underserved in mental health care [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students' mental health has been a vital concern for researchers, policymakers, administrators, and educators since before the pandemic, and it is crucial to identify the extent to which the pandemic affected college students' mental health. The current study utilized data repeatedly collected over more than four years (2017–2022) from N = 355 students enrolled at a large public research university in the Midwestern US. The data collection period coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic's onset, facilitating systematic examination of whether and how college students' trajectories (i.e., level and slopes) of depressive symptoms, social anxiety, general disinhibition, callous aggression, and problematic alcohol use changed as the pandemic progressed. Across seven waves, surveys assessed multiple outcome and predictor domains. Multilevel growth curve modeling was used to analyze all outcomes. Depression symptoms peaked mid-pandemic, whereas social anxiety first declined then continued rising. General disinhibition and callous aggression showed non-significant changes in trajectories. Problematic alcohol use decreased continuously with no significant pandemic-associated effects in the best-fitting model. An important limitation is reliance on a sample from a single campus utilizing self-reported, non-clinical assessments. Another important limitation is the lack of location information from participants during the acute COVID-19 phase. Reported longitudinal analyses expand upon findings from previous limited repeated-measures and cross-sectional studies. In terms of clinical significance, some of the most harmful COVID-19 effects to mental health may be long-lasting and cumulative, making them difficult to detect in shorter-term or cross-sectional studies. Altogether, findings demonstrate complex changes in students' mental health that may have ongoing effects on well-being during key developmental stages. • Findings demonstrate complex changes in students' mental health. • Depression symptoms peaked mid-pandemic in January 2021. • Social anxiety first declined then continued rising. • Externalizing spectrum issues showed non-significant changes in trajectories. • Problematic alcohol use decreased continuously with no pandemic-associated effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous study has identified a connection between intimate partner violence (IPV) and depressive symptoms. However, the underlying mechanisms of this connection have not yet been well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of big five personality traits and perceived social support on the association between IPV and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among college students in 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, and 4 municipalities in China from June to August 2022. Intimate Partner Violence Questionnaire was used to measure the frequency of exposure to IPV. The big five personality traits were measured by 10-item Big Five Inventory, Perceptive Social Support Scale-3 items was used to estimate the degree of perceived social support and the data on depressive symptoms were collected by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items. We used data from the "Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents in 2022", which includes 6686 valid questionnaires of college students. The PROCESS macro developed by Hayes was utilized to perform moderated mediation analysis. Among college students, IPV had a significant direct impact on depressive symptoms. Extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and neuroticism mediated the association between IPV and depressive symptoms (β = −0.08, P < 0.001; β = −0.08, P < 0.001; β = −0.14, P < 0.001; β = 0.20, P < 0.001). Perceived social support significantly moderated the mediating role of the big five personality traits between IPV and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, perceived social support moderated the direct relationship between IPV and depressive symptoms (β = 0.34, P < 0.001), as well as the indirect path of extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism and the first half of the mediating role of conscientiousness. Moreover, perceived social support was one of the preventive factors that could effectively mitigate the harmful effects of IPV, neuroticism and depressive symptoms. As this was a cross-sectional study, we were unable to investigate causal relationships between variables. The prevalence of IPV and depressive symptoms were self-reported by the college students, and there may be reporting bias. Additionally, this study only explored the influence and mechanism from the integrated dimension of IPV and PSSS, due to spatial constraints. The findings contribute to the existing understanding by clarifying the fundamental mechanisms linking IPV and depressive symptoms. These results may serve as a valuable reference for the Chinese government to improve mental health among college students. • The study is to explore the roles of big five personality traits and PSSS may play between IPV and depressive symptoms. • The big five personality traits partially mediated the relationship between IPV and depressive symptoms, except for openness. • PSSS moderated the link between IPV and depressive symptoms directly and indirectly. • The cultivation of sound personality traits and high PSSS could be benefit to the health promotion among college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hopelessness is closely related to depression, trauma, and some organic diseases. Yet our understanding of the heterogeneity of hopelessness is limited. This study aimed to explore the heterogeneity of hopelessness, how it corresponds to the severity of depression, and the effect of traumatic experiences on it during COVID-19. The current study measures 28,360 Chinese college students (67.4 % of women) with the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Trauma Experience Questionnaire, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The method of latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify different sub-groups of hopelessness with differences in emotion, motivation, and cognition. Logistic regression and analysis of variance were used to determine the characteristics of different sub-groups. Three latent classes were identified: Negative affective cognition class (C1, N = 5940, 20.9 %), Negative thought cognition class (C2, N = 1358, 4.8 %), and Low hopelessness class (C3, N = 21,062, 74.3 %). Gender, only child or not, birthplace, family economic status, and grade are predictors of the latent category of hopelessness. There are significant differences in depression among different latent classes, and C1 > C2 > C3 (p < 0.001). Traumatic experience is a risk factor for the hopeless latent classes (OR > 1, P < 0.001). Research findings may not be applied to other populations and rely on subjective reports. Ignore the effects of other protective and risk factors. Lack of longitudinal research, unable to explore causality. The current study provides evidence for the heterogeneity of hopelessness and informs targeted interventions for mental health problems (hopelessness) in college students. • There is heterogeneity in the hopelessness of Chinese college students. • Hopelessness among Chinese college students presents three latent classes. • The traumatic experience is a risk factor for the latent category of hopelessness, and gender, only child or not, birthplace, family economic status, and grade are predictors of the latent class. • Significant differences in depression severity correspond to the three potential classes. • This study provides a basis about targeted intervention for college students' mental health problems (hopelessness). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic on campus, universities in outbreak areas in China can implement closed-loop management. Objects: This study aimed to explore the relationship between mindfulness and mental health of college students under closed-loop management. Measures: 11,939 college students from a university in Changsha, China participated in the online survey during the closed-loop management period. The Chinese version of Perceived Stress Scale, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Cognitive Reappraisal, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire, and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire were administered to the college students. Results: We found that mindfulness was negative association with mental health during the closed-loop management period. Perceived stress mediated the relationship between mindfulness and mental health. Cognitive reappraisal moderated the relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress. Specifically, when the level of mindfulness is the same, individuals with more cognitive reappraisal tend to experience a less perceived stress. Conclusion: The results of this study are of great significance to improve the mental health of college students during closed-loop management period. • Research conducted during closed-loop management period in universities • A large sample of 11,542 college students • Anxiety and depression levels were higher during the closed-loop management period. • The mediating role of perceived stress between mindfulness and mental health • The moderating role of cognitive reappraisal between mindfulness and perceived stress [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the rising rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children in the United States (1 in 59), and explores the role academic libraries can play in helping college students with ASD. A literature review of how different types of libraries (school, public, academic) support students with ASD indicates research in this area in general is lacking. Findings point to lack of adequate training and awareness for librarians and staff, resources, services and spaces are universal challenges. Several initiatives that academic libraries and librarians may consider in helping students with ASD are identified and described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to childhood adversities (CAs) is known to be associated with the onset of suicidal ideation and plans. However, little is known regarding the contribution of CAs to their persistence.Aims: The study aims to examine the type, number and frequency of CA exposure on the persistence of suicidal ideation and plans at one-year.Method: Data were drawn from the French portion of the World Mental Health International College Student survey. At baseline (n = 2661, response rate = 7,58 %), exposure to 12 types of CAs prior to age 18, lifetime mental disorders, lifetime and 12-month suicidal ideation and plans were assessed. At one-year follow-up (n = 1221), 12-month mental disorders, suicidal ideation and plans were assessed. Among those with a prior history of suicidal ideation, logistic regressions were performed to examine the role of CAs on the persistence of ideation and plans at one-year.Results: At baseline, frequency and number of CAs were associated with 12-month suicidal ideation and plans. Among lifetime ideators, 49.6 % reported 12-month suicidal ideation at follow-up. Physical abuse was associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation and plan persistence at one year in univariate analyses. However, CAs were not associated with the persistence of suicidal ideation and plans at one-year in multivariate analyses.Limitations: Retrospective report of CA exposure, and low baseline response rate.Conclusions: Using a fine-grained operationalization of CA exposure, CAs were not involved in the persistence of suicidal ideation or plans, their deleterious effect more likely to occur early in the course of psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culturally-influenced adaptation and maladaptation may influence college students' mental health across various forms of cultural identity (e.g., racial/ethnic identity, socioeconomic status [SES]). In this cross-sectional study, 925 college students (M age = 19.9, 67% self-identified female, 64% White, 25% Hispanic/Latino, 69% middle class or below) responded to a one-time questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that cultural risk (insecurity, stress, discrimination) and adaptation (centrality, routine behaviors, motivation, resilience) were differentially associated with internalizing symptoms. Multigroup analyses by cultural identity subgroups indicated that cultural risk was associated with greater internalizing symptoms across all SES groups, but most salient for high SES students, and more strongly associated with anxiety among White students compared to racial/ethnically minoritized students. Cultural adaptation more saliently predicted internalizing symptoms for students with lower-middle/working-class SES identity. College students experience multi-faceted risk and adaptation related to their cultural identities, experiences of which are shaped by social position and differentially contribute to mental health. • College students experience multi-faceted forms of cultural risk and cultural adaptation. • Cultural risk and adaptation differentially contribute to depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms. • Cultural risk was more strongly associated with internalizing symptoms among White and high socioeconomic status students. • Cultural adaptation was a more salient predictor of internalizing symptoms for lower-middle/working class students. • College students' cultural risk and adaptation is shaped by social position and differentially contributes to mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Adverse childhood experiences can have a profound impact on both physical and mental health, affecting young adults in a comprehensive manner. • Adverse childhood experiences increase anxiety symptoms and risk of mental illness among college students in a dose-response pattern. • Participants with high ACEs exposure had a nearly twofold increase in the odds of cardiometabolic diseases and fractures. Research has shown that individuals with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are more likely to encounter heightened risks of physical and psychological challenges later in life. However, limited research has explored the comprehensive impact on the physical and mental health of young adults. Thus, we conducted a study to investigate the associations of ACEs with the physical and mental health of 18,723 college students in China. Their physical and mental health status was assessed using self-perceived health assessments, self-reported disease diagnoses, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7-item scale. Results showed that 82.6 % of participants had experienced at least one ACE, with 10.7 % reporting exposure to four or more ACEs. Compared to participants with low ACEs exposure (≤ 1), participants with high ACEs exposure (≥ 4) had a nearly twofold increase in the odds of cardiometabolic diseases (OR [95 % CI] = 2.06 [1.55–2.74]) and fractures (2.32 [1.88–2.87]). Additionally, individuals with high ACE exposure exhibited a threefold increased odds of severe anxiety symptoms (3.78 [2.59–5.51]) and bipolar disorder/schizophrenia (3.38 [2.18–5.23]). These findings highlight ACEs as a significant risk factor for poor physical and mental health among young adults. Targeted support and interventions for individuals with multiple ACEs may help mitigate their long-term disease burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is associated with severe impairments in psychosocial functions, but related longitudinal research is limited. To promote the mental health of college students with childhood adversities, it is imperative to investigate the development of CPTSD symptoms and the predictive factors. The study aimed to examine the latent trajectories of CPTSD symptoms among college students with childhood adversities and to identify the role of self-compassion in differentiating potential trajectories. A total of 294 college students with childhood adversities completed self-report questionnaires on demographic backgrounds, childhood adversities, CPTSD symptoms, and self-compassion three times with an interval of three months. Latent class growth analysis was used to determine the trajectories of CPTSD symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to examine the association between self-compassion and trajectories subgroups while adjusting for demographic variables. Three heterogeneous groups of CPTSD symptoms among college students with childhood adversities were identified: the low-symptoms group (n = 123, 41.8 %), the moderate-symptoms group (n = 108, 36.7 %), and the high-risk group (n = 63, 21.4 %). Multinomial logistic regression showed that, after adjusting for demographic variables, students with higher levels of self-compassion were less likely to belong to the moderate-symptoms and high-risk group in comparison to the low-symptoms group. The results suggest the trajectories of CPTSD symptoms of college students with childhood adversities were heterogeneous. Self-compassion was a protective factor against the development of CPTSD symptoms. The present study provided insights into the mental health promotion for individuals with adversities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Prescription misuse related to concurrent internalizing and externalizing outcomes. • Correlated trajectories found between misuse problems and mental health over time. • Misuse problems that worsen predicted increased depressive symptoms over time. • Misuse problems that worsen predicted increased disinhibition over time. • Findings are attenuated when accounting for alcohol and other drug problems. Prescription drug misuse (PDM) is a mounting public health concern in the U.S., particularly among college students. The field's reliance on cross-sectional designs and limited controls for other substance use has failed to capture the specific role of misuse for longer-term health. Therefore, the present study tested associations between trajectories of PDM problems and college students' mental health and subjective happiness over time. Participants were 300 students who completed a baseline assessment (T1) and follow-ups every 6 months for two years (T2-T5). Participants self-reported problems associated with PDM and mental health. Results from univariate latent growth models indicated that problems with PDM were initially on an increasing trajectory. Based on parallel process models, problems with PDM were concurrently associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, disinhibition, callousness/aggression, and lower levels of subjective happiness at T1. Further, we found support for parallel trajectories between PDM problems and both depressive symptoms and general disinhibition. Participants whose PDM problems were on an increasing (worsening) trajectory at baseline showed an increase in depressive symptoms and general disinhibition over the next two years. Participants whose PDM problems accelerated over time (got worse at a faster and faster rate over time) also showed a significant increase in their depressive symptoms over time. Most findings, however, were no longer statistically significant in sensitivity analyses that controlled for alcohol and other drug problems. Findings highlight college as an important time for interventions to prevent substance use and its associated negative consequence on later young adult mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• No significant change in 12-month suicidal ideation was found during the pandemic. • No evidence of greater incidence of suicidal ideation was found. • No increased risk in persistence of pre-existing suicidal ideation was observed. • Nonetheless, suicidality and mental health problems among students merit attention. The present study explored whether there had been significant changes in 12-month suicidal thoughts, incidence, and persistence of suicidal ideation among college students prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were drawn from the French portion of the World Mental Health International College student Survey Initiative (WMH-ICS), a prospective cohort survey initiated in 2017. Students who completed both the baseline and one-year follow-up surveys were included (n = 1,216). Lifetime suicidal ideation and behaviors and mental disorders were assessed at baseline, and 12-month suicidal ideation and behaviors were also assessed at one-year follow-up. Logistic regressions were used to determine whether the odds of 12-month suicidal ideation at follow-up was associated with COVID-19 pandemic period while adjusting for lifetime psychopathology. No significant change in the odds of 12-month suicidal ideation was observed during the pandemic when compared to pre-pandemic times. Adjusting for prior psychopathology, 12-month suicidal ideation was not significantly associated with pandemic times, nor was incidence or persistence. No evidence of a significant increase in suicidal thoughts during the pandemic was observed. Longer follow-up periods and larger samples are needed in order to determine whether suicidal ideation and behaviors remain stable in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When students with a psychological disorder study at university, there are competing goals and challenges faced by administrators, teaching staff and students. Positive goals such as inclusion, self-determination and respect for diversity are sometimes counterbalanced by problem behaviour associated with mental illness. The challenge for tertiary institutions is to accommodate the educational needs of students with a psychological disorder, without undermining the inherent requirements of a course of academic study, or the duties that a university owes to staff and students with respect to safe and healthy learning environments. This article considers how the Australian legal system has attempted to find balance between these competing needs and duties, in a way that is respectful to those who study with a psychological disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Common mental health problems (CMHPs), such as depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are internalizing disorders with high comorbidity. University and college students are under many stressors and transitional events, and students fall within the age range when CMHPs are at their developmental peak. Compared to the expanded effort to explore and treat CMHPs, there has been no a meta-analysis that comprehensively reviewed the interventions for CMHPs and examined the effects of interventions for CMHPs in college students. The objective of this review is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining interventions for CMHPs among university and college students and to estimate their post-intervention effect size (ES), as well as follow-up ES, for depression, anxiety disorder, OCD and PTSD separately. Meta-analytic procedures were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We reviewed 7768 abstracts from which 331 full-text articles were reviewed and 51 RCTs were included in the analysis. We found moderate effect sizes for both depression (Hedges' g = −0.60) and anxiety disorder (Hedges' g = −0.48). There was no evidence that existing interventions for OCD or PTSD were effective in this population. For interventions with high number of papers, we performed subgroup analysis and found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions were effective for both depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and attention/perception modification was effective for GAD; other interventions (i.e. art, exercise and peer support) had the highest ES for both depression and GAD among university and college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to a marked increase in the prevalence and severity of mental health problems among college students over the last decade, colleges and universities have been expanding their well-being initiatives and programs. No longer limited to health services departments, the support of student well-being has been taken up by multiple campus units, including academic libraries. As well-being has been shown to impact academic outcomes, the well-being initiatives libraries develop fit in with their commitment to enhance learning and student educational experience overall. A comprehensive review of wellness interventions in academic libraries, this article presents findings on student well-being and provides a rationale for institutional responses to the crisis. It describes well-being initiatives across library collections, services, and spaces. It then critiques the trend and includes recommendations for implementing effective and assessable well-being initiatives. The article ends with a brief discussion of library well-being initiatives during COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high rates of anxiety in college students and the many barriers to accessing evidence-based care in communities and on campuses indicate a clear need to explore ways to increase access to evidence-based treatments. Web-based interventions and preventions are one way to bridge this gap; they hold the potential to decrease mental health disparities and enhance student functioning. The current RCT examined the acceptability and efficacy of a 3-session web-based therapist-assisted acceptance-based behavioral intervention targeting anxiety (Surviving and Thriving During Stress) for college students versus a waitlist (WL) control condition, in a sample of racially and ethnically diverse college students. Overall, participants rated the program as helpful and acceptable. Mixed-effects regression models (MRMs) were run in SPSS to examine the effects of time, condition, and Condition × Time on outcomes and hypothesized mechanisms. Significant Condition × Time interactions for general anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) emerged, suggesting that SATDS participants reported significantly greater changes on these outcomes from pre- to posttreatment versus WL. However, interaction effects were nonsignificant for anxious arousal and social anxiety. MRMs examining hypothesized mechanisms revealed significant Condition × Time interactions for experiential avoidance, decentering, and values-based living. However, interaction effects were nonsignificant for mindfulness. All significant gains were maintained at 1-month follow-up, with the exception of QOL. Results contribute to the growing literature on the acceptability and efficacy of web-based approaches, and suggest these approaches can be effective for diverse college students, and may provide a unique platform to increase access to evidence-based care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • BPNS is a protective factor for FOMO. • Individual relative deprivation was a mediator in the relation. • Social support from friends moderated the mediation effect. Abstract Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a new mental illness in digital era. Basing on the self-determination theory, the present study investigated how basic psychological needs satisfaction reducing FOMO. We tested a moderated mediating model that friend support moderated the mediating role of individual relative deprivation on the relation between basic psychological needs satisfaction and FOMO. A sample of 815 college students (mean age = 19.03 ± 1.13 years) participated our paper-and-pencil survey. Results showed that, basic psychological needs satisfaction negatively correlated with FOMO, and it reduced participants’ FOMO via reducing individual relative deprivation. What's more, the mediating effect was moderated by friend support, comparing with low friend support participants, the indirect effect was larger among high friend support participants. The present study indicated that basic psychological needs satisfaction, and friend support were protective factors for college students’ mental health. The limitations and implications were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol use and its consequences have often been associated with depression, particularly among female college students. Interpretation of this association has been challenging due to potential reverse causation. The current study sought to clarify the temporality of these relationships. We examined: (1) the association between alcohol consumption and onset depression among female college students, and (2) the association between drinking consequences and onset depression among drinkers only. We used a prospective longitudinal design. Participants were first-year female college students who completed a baseline survey at study entry, and monthly assessments of alcohol consumption, drinking consequences, and depression symptoms. Cox proportional hazards regression with time-varying covariates were constructed among the full sample (N = 412) and the drinkers only sample (N = 335). Adjusted hazard ratios accounted for known risk factors for depression such as race/ethnicity, academic challenge, not getting along with one's roommate, sexual victimization prior to college, marijuana use, and socioeconomic status. For each additional average drink per week, adjusting for all covariates, there was no (95% CI: -4%, +4%) increased risk of onset depression. For each additional alcohol consequence, adjusting for all covariates, there was a 19% (95% CI: 5%, 34%) increased risk of onset depression. This significant relationship remained after adjusting for quantity of alcohol consumption. Quantity of alcohol consumed did not predict incident depression. However, experiencing alcohol consequences, regardless of consumption, did increase the risk of incident depression. College substance use and mental health interventions should aim to reduce not only alcohol consumption, but also alcohol-related consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: College students with anxiety and depressive symptomatology face escalated risk for alcohol-related negative consequences. While it is well-established that normative perceptions of proximal peers' drinking behaviors influence students' own drinking behaviors, it is not clear how mental health status impacts this association. In the current study, we examined cross-sectional relationships between anxiety and depressed mood, perceived drinking behaviors and attitudes of important peers, and past month alcohol consumption and related problems in a first-semester college student social network.Method: Participants (N = 1254, 55% female, 47% non-Hispanic White) were first-year students residing on campus at a single university who completed a web-based survey assessing alcohol use, mental health, and social connections among first-year student peers. Network autocorrelation models were used to examine the independent and interactive associations between mental health and perceptions of close peers' drinking on drinking outcomes, controlling for important variables.Results: Mental health interacted with perceptions to predict past-month drinking outcomes, such that higher anxiety and higher perceptions that peers drink heavily was associated with more drinks consumed and consequences, and higher depression and perceptions was associated with more drinks consumed, heavy drinking frequency, and consequences. Attitudes that peers approve of heavy drinking were associated with more drinks consumed and heavy drinking frequency among students with lower (vs. higher) depressed mood.Conclusions: This study provides strong evidence that perceiving that close peers drink heavily is particularly risk-enhancing for anxious and depressed college students, and offers implications about alcohol intervention targeted at these subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marijuana (MJ) is widely used among college students, with peak use between ages 18-22. Research suggests memory dysfunction in adolescent and young adult MJ users, but the neural correlates are unclear. We examined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) response during a memory task among college students with varying degrees of MJ involvement. Participants were 64 college students, ages 18-20, who performed a visual encoding and recognition task during fMRI. MJ use was ascertained for 3 months prior to scanning; 27 individuals reported past 3-month MJ use, and 33 individuals did not. fMRI response was modeled during encoding based on whether targets were subsequently recognized (correct encoding), and during recognition based on target identification (hits). fMRI response in left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and hippocampal regions of interest was examined between MJ users and controls. There were no group differences between MJ users and controls on fMRI response during encoding, although single sample t-tests revealed that MJ users failed to activate the hippocampus. During recognition, MJ users showed less fMRI response than controls in right hippocampus (Cohen's d = 0.55), left hippocampus (Cohen's d = 0.67) and left IFG (Cohen's d = 0.61). Heavier MJ involvement was associated with lower fMRI response in left hippocampus and left IFG. This study provides evidence of MJ-related prefrontal and hippocampal dysfunction during recognition memory in college students. These findings may contribute to our previously identified decrements in academic performance in college MJ users and could have substantial implications for academic and occupational functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examines the response pattern of depressive symptoms in a nationwide student sample, through item analyses of a rating scale by both classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT).Methods: The 21-item Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was administered to 12,711 college students. First, the psychometric properties of the scale were described. Thereafter, the endorsement probability of depressive symptom in each scale item was analyzed through CTT and IRT. Graphical plots depicted the endorsement probability of scale items and intensity of depression. Three items of different difficulty level were compared through CTT and IRT approach.Results: Four in five students reported the presence of depressive symptoms. The BDI-II items presented good reliability and were distributed along the symptomatic continuum of depression. Similarly, in both CTT and IRT approaches, the item 'changes in sleep' was easily endorsed, 'loss of interest' moderately and 'suicidal thoughts' hardly. Graphical representation of BDI-II of both methods showed much equivalence in terms of item discrimination and item difficulty. The item characteristic curve of the IRT method provided informative evaluation of item performance.Limitation: The inventory was applied only in college students.Conclusion: Depressive symptoms were frequent psychopathological manifestations among college students. The performance of the BDI-II items indicated convergent results from both methods of analysis. While the CTT was easy to understand and to apply, the IRT was more complex to understand and to implement. Comprehensive assessment of the functioning of each BDI-II item might be helpful in efficient detection of depressive conditions in college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of the count of traumatizing event (TE) types on post-trauma mental health, several studies have compared posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity between individuals experiencing one versus multiple TE types . However, the validity of these studies depends on the establishment of measurement invariance of the construct(s) of interest. The current study examined the stability of the most optimal PTSD Model symptom cluster constructs (assessed by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 [PCL-5]) across subgroups experiencing one versus multiple TE types. The sample included university students ( n = 556) endorsing at least one TE (Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire). Using data from the entire sample, results suggest that the PCL-5-assessed Hybrid Model provided a significantly better fit compared to other models. Results also indicated invariance of factor loadings (metric), and intercepts (scalar) for the PCL-5-assessed Hybrid Model factors across subgroups endorsing one ( n = 191) versus multiple TE types ( n = 365). Our findings thus support the stability, applicability, and meaningful comparison of the PCL-assessed Hybrid Model factor structure (including subscale severity scores) across subgroups experiencing one versus multiple TE types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have examined whether there is a relationship between social anhedonia and prediction of future events and the role of beliefs about pleasure and emotional experience. In this study, 513 college students were recruited to complete a set of self-reported questionnaires, including the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale (CSAS), the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS), the Belief about Pleasure Scale (BAPS) and the Beck Depression Inventory. Moreover, a checklist of 100 daily life events was also administrated to all participants. Mediation analysis found that social anhedonia had a direct impact on prediction of pleasant events. Emotional experience partly mediated the relationship between social anhedonia and subjective prediction of pleasant events. However, beliefs about pleasure had no significant mediation effect between social anhedonia and prediction of pleasant events, but were shown to influence the subjective prediction of pleasant events completely through emotional experience. These findings suggest that beliefs about pleasure and emotional experience may be considered promising factors for interventions in individuals with anhedonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory (OSI) is a comprehensive self-report measure of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). In an effort to build on past research and further validate the OSI, this study presents a confirmatory factor analysis of the OSI's subscales measuring the functions and addictive features of NSSI using a university sample. Participants were 316 university students aged 17–25 years (84.8% female) who had engaged in NSSI at least once in their lifetime. Consistent with past research, results confirmed the four-factor structure of the Functions items (Internal Emotion Regulation, Social Influence, External Emotion Regulation, Sensation Seeking), as well as the single-factor structure of Addictive Features items. Correlations calculated between the obtained factors and indicators of NSSI severity revealed that higher endorsement of NSSI's Internal Emotion Regulation functions, External Emotion Regulation functions, and Addictive Features were associated with more frequent lifetime NSSI, recent (past 6 months) NSSI, and greater distress regarding NSSI urges; greater endorsement of NSSI's Sensation Seeking functions was also linked with more frequent lifetime NSSI. Results provide further support for the OSI's psychometric properties in a university sample, and offer additional evidence for links between specific NSSI functions and addictive features and more severe manifestations of the behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this multisite randomized controlled trial was to determine whether an intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was efficacious in improving university students' psychological flexibility, mental health, and school engagement. Students were recruited in four Canadian universities and randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 72) or a wait-list control group (n = 72). Students in the intervention group took part in four 2.5-hour workshops during a 4-week period and were asked to do exercises at home (e.g., meditation, observation grids). Wait-list students received the intervention soon after the post measurements. MANCOVAs and ANCOVAs revealed that students in the intervention group showed greater psychological flexibility at postintervention than those in the control group. They also reported greater well-being and school engagement, and lower stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Taken together, results of this study suggest that an ACT-based intervention offers a valuable way to promote mental health and school engagement in postsecondary settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although previous studies have elucidated associations between motivations for drinking and sex as they relate to risky health outcomes among female college students, the utility of cross-domain motives (i.e., alcohol motives predicting sex-related outcomes and vice versa) in the prediction of specific alcohol- and sex-related behaviors has yet to be examined. The current study examined relations between drinking and sex motives with multiple risky alcohol- and sex-related outcomes (i.e., alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, alcohol consumption prior to sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners [vaginal, oral, anal], and emergency contraception use).Procedures: Multiple structural equation models were used to examine univariate and multivariate associations among drinking and sex motives and specific outcomes in a sample of female undergraduates with lifetime histories of alcohol use and sexual activity (N = 436; 77% White, 21% Hispanic).Results: Findings indicated differential associations between motives and specific outcomes across univariate versus multivariate analyses. Multivariate models indicated greater endorsement of enhancement and less endorsement of intimacy sex motives were significantly associated with heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems, whereas alcohol motives were less reliably linked to sex-related outcomes. When considered simultaneously, sex motives accounted for more variance in some alcohol outcomes relative to certain drinking motives.Conclusions: Cross-domain motives may be useful in predicting risky outcomes among female college students. Research implications include the importance of examining motive-behavior relations in univariate and multivariate contexts. Clinical implications include cross-domain motive assessment and use of emotion regulation strategies to reduce emotionally-motivated maladaptive alcohol- and sex-related behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of combined audience feedback with video feedback plus cognitive preparation, and cognitive review (enabling deeper processing of feedback) on state anxiety and self-perceptions including perception of performance and perceived probability of negative evaluation in socially anxious individuals during a speech performance. One hundred and forty socially anxious students were randomly assigned to four conditions: Cognitive Preparation + Video Feedback + Audience Feedback + Cognitive Review (CP+VF+AF+CR), Cognitive Preparation + Video Feedback + Cognitive Review (CP+VF+CR), Cognitive Preparation + Video Feedback only (CP+VF), and Control. They were asked to deliver two impromptu speeches that were evaluated by confederates. Participants' levels of anxiety and self-perceptions pertaining to the speech task were assessed before and after feedback, and after the second speech. Compared to participants in the other conditions, participants in the CP+VF+AF+CR condition reported a significant decrease in their state anxiety and perceived probability of negative evaluation scores, and a significant increase in their positive perception of speech performance from before to after the feedback. These effects generalized to the second speech. Our results suggest that adding audience feedback to video feedback plus cognitive preparation and cognitive review may improve the effects of existing video feedback procedures in reducing anxiety symptoms and distorted self-representations in socially anxious individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive motivational attitudes protect against depressive symptoms in young adults. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between motivation to achieve important life goals and depression in a sample of young adult university students, who are at higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders and adopting unhealthy behaviours than their age peers who are not attending university. The participants were 228 Italian undergraduates who completed an online self-report questionnaire twice during a one-year period. Measures included positive motivational attitudes, depressive feelings, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, cannabis use, subjective family income and satisfaction with academic choice. A cross-lagged longitudinal model demonstrated that higher motivation predicted lower depression after one year. No other covariate effects were observed. The results confirm that motivation protects against mental health problems during higher education and is a better predictor of mental health than health-related risk factors. Encouraging undergraduates to invest effort in achieving important goals may prevent the onset of depressive disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet addiction became a major mental health problem in college student. Our objective was to examine the relationship between psychological inflexibility and experiential avoidance (PIEA) and Internet addiction (IA) and the mediating effects of mental health problem indicators. 500 college students (238 men and 262 women) participated in this study. The level of PIEA was examined using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II. The severity of IA was assessed using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale. The levels of depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, and hostility were evaluated using the Symptom Checklist-90 item-Revised Scale. The relationship among PIEA, mental health problems, and IA was examined using structural equation modeling. The severity of PIEA was positively associated with the severity of IA as well as positively associated with the severity of mental health problems. In addition, the severity of mental health problem indicators was positively associated with the severity of IA. These results provide the severity of PIEA is directly related to the severity of IA and indirectly related to the severity of IA through increasing the severity of mental health problems. The PIEA should be one of the target objectives when administer cognitive-behavioral therapy to college students with IA and mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Suicide is a major cause of death in university students. Personality traits have been suggested as possible risk factors for suicidal behaviors. This study looked at the relationship between the personality dimensions of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and suicidal behaviors.Method: A total of 5644 college students took the TCI test and the suicidality module of the M.I.N.I. The students were divided into the suicidal ideation group (n = 302; 5.4%) and the suicide attempt group (n = 301; 5.3%). Each group's TCI dimension and sub-dimension scores were compared with one another. To find out which TCI dimension affects suicide risk when depressed, regression analysis and mediation analysis were conducted.Results: First, we adjusted for age, sex and depressive mood and compared the TCI scores of the participants based on their suicide risk. After the adjustment, self-directedness decreased in the suicidal ideation group while novelty seeking and persistence increased in the suicide attempt group. It turned out that self-directedness has a partial mediating effect between depressive symptom and suicide risk (β = -0.068 P < 0.001).Conclusion: We adjusted for depressive mood and it turned out that the suicidal ideation group is affected by character whereas the suicide attempt group is affected by temperament. Among the character dimensions, self-directedness was found to reduce the effect of depressive mood on suicide risk. Therefore, when evaluating suicide risk, assessing character dimensions, especially self-directedness along with depressive mood, a risk factor, will be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study was to explore the relation between psychological strains and suicidal ideation among Chinese and American college students. Another secondary purpose of the study was to examine the reliability of the psychological strains scales (PPS: Ref) one more time in China and the United States in college populations. Method Samples of college students were randomly recruited from China and United States. All of 529 college students (aged 17–27, 68.9% female) completed self-report assessments of psychological strains (Psychological Strain Scale), suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation), and indicators of psychological well-being (e.g., depression, anxiety, and stress). Results Empirical results show that Psychological Strain Scales (PSS) has a good reliability. Chinese college students reported higher suicide ideation scores than American students whereas there was no statistical difference in psychological strains. Psychological strains and, depression, anxiety, and stress, were positively related to suicidal ideation in both countries. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that psychological strain can significantly predict suicidal ideation. Conclusions These findings provide support for the Strain Theory of Suicide for both Chinese and American college students and some measures can be taken to reduce psychological strains in students. However, future work could extend these findings by utilizing a longitudinal design to determine whether psychological strains are in fact antecedents, and not simply correlates, of suicide ideation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronotype is largely classified as being morning or evening types according to preference for daily activity and the preferred bedtime. This study examined the relationship between chronotype and temperament/character dimensions among university students. A total of 2857 participants completed the 140-item Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised Short version (TCI-RS) from a 5-score scale as well as the 13-item composite scale for morningness-eveningness (CSM). In this study, we classified chronotype as “morning,” “neither,” or “evening” types according to CSM scores and compared the scores in terms of 4 temperament dimensions and 3 character dimensions. The evening type showed high values for novelty seeking and harm avoidance, whereas the morning type had high scores for persistence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness. A logistic regression analysis after controlling for age and gender showed that chronotype significantly associated with persistence and novelty seeking. The results of this study suggest that chronotype is different according to gender and age and in addition, chronotype closely correlates with temperament and character. Among these, eveningness was associated with high novelty seeking, whereas morningness was associated with high persistence. Further studies are required to investigate the relationship between chronotype and temperament/character dimensions in a wider age bracket. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University students demonstrate poor help-seeking behatabviors for their mental health, despite often reporting low levels of mental well-being. The aims of this study were to examine the help-seeking intentions and experiences of first year university students in terms of their mental well-betabing, and to extaplore these students’ views on formal (e.g. psychiatrists) and informal (e.g. friends) help-seeking. Students from a universitytab in the Republic of Ireland (n=220) completed an online questionnaire which focused on mental well-being and help-seeking behaviors. Almost a third of students had sought help from a mental health professional. Very few students reported availing of university/online supports. Informal sources of help were more popular than formal sources, and those who would avail and had availed of informal sources demonstrated higher well-being scores. Counselors were the source of professional help most widely used. General practitioners, chaplains, social workers, and family therapists were rated the most helpful. Those with low/average well-being scores were less likely to seek help than those with higher scores. Findings indicate the importance of enhancing public knowledge of mental health issues, and for further examination of students’ knowledge of help-seeking resources in order to improve the help-seeking behaviors and mental well-being of this population group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health plays a significant role in the comprehensive growth and development of college students. It refers to the positive development of the mental state which determines their mental or physical potential. The mental health problems of college students increase day by day and become a crucial aspect for families, colleges, universities and society. In existing methods, issues occur due to large variations in the symptoms of mental illness which further results in more than one disease condition at the same time. This creates complexities in the accurate diagnosis of mental health. Based on the present situation of student's mental health, an early warning platform is developed for observing the effect of social media, bad emotions and other factors on the minds of college students. Subsequently, relevant treatment is provided to overcome the diseases caused by mental illness and to improve mental health. Mental health platforms are constructed to improve the health state of college or university students and protect them from psychological crisis. In this paper, a specific framework and module for testing and training schemes based on deep neural model for the analysis of mental state of college students is introduced. The corresponding experimental analysis is carried on the generated set of data for improved validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Researchers have examined the relationship between mental health and weather/pollution with mixed results. The current study aimed to examine a range of weather and atmospheric phenomena and their association with time-bound mental health data.Methods: Nineteen different weather/pollution variables were examined in connection with an archive of self-reported mental health data for university students participating in mental health treatment (n=16,452) using the Outcome Questionnaire 45.2 (OQ-45). Statistical approach involved randomly selecting 500 subjects from the sample 1000 different times and testing each variable of interest using mixed models analyses.Results: Seasonal changes in sun time were found to best account for relationships between weather variables and variability in mental health distress. Increased mental health distress was found during periods of reduced sun time hours. A separate analysis examining subjects' endorsement of a suicidality item, though not statistically significant, demonstrated a similar pattern. Initial results showed a relationship between pollution and changes in mental health distress; however, this was mediated by sun time.Limitations: This study examined a relatively homogenous, predominantly European American, and religious sample of college counseling clients from an area that is subject to inversions and is at a high altitude and a latitude where sun time vacillates significantly more than locations closer to the equator.Conclusions: Seasonal increases in sun time were associated with decreased mental health distress. This suggests the need for institutions and public health entities to plan for intervention and prevention resources and strategies during periods of reduced sun time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-stigmatisation impacts the lives of people diagnosed with a mental disorder. Addressing self-stigmatisation is challenging. Creative arts therapy is identified as achieving positive change in the lives of people who have mental disorders. This study focuses on creative art therapists’ understanding of how self-stigmatisation can be addressed with people who have mental disorders. Six creative art therapists were individually interviewed. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed via Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The findings bring to light therapists’ consensus for the potential of the creative arts therapies to contribute to patients’ relief from self-stigmatisation. Additionally, the concept of mental illness self-stigmatisation offered therapists an opportunity to explore, understand and describe their attitudes when working with people considered self-stigmatised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many college students exhibit unhealthy eating behaviors, consuming large quantities of high-fat foods and few fruits and vegetables. Perceived stress has been linked to daily dietary choices among college students; however, this work has been conducted among predominantly white, female populations. The role of perceived stress management in moderating this relationship is unclear. This study investigated the relationship between perceived stress and dietary choices among a diverse sample of male and female college freshmen and assessed whether perceived ability to manage stress moderated this relationship. 613 students from a large, public university completed an online survey which assessed past week consumption of various foods and beverages (e.g. soda, fast food, fruits, vegetables), as well as perceived stress and ability to manage stress. Hierarchical linear regression examined the association between perceived stress and past week dietary choices, and the moderating effect of perceived ability to manage stress, controlling for demographic variables. Perceived stress was positively associated with past week soda, coffee, energy drink, salty snack, frozen food, and fast food consumption (p<0.05). Perceived stress management moderated the relationship between stress and sweet snack consumption. Individuals who reported low ability to manage stress consumed greater amounts. Findings indicate greater stress is associated with poor dietary choices among college freshmen. The relationship between stress and sweet snack consumption was exacerbated among those who reported low ability to manage stress. It may be important for college nutrition education programs to focus on the relationship between stress and diet and promote effective stress management techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the prevalence of academic burnout and the relationship between academic burnout and eating disorder among Monash university students for a period of one year. One hundred and thirty-two participants were recruited for the study via advertisement. They were invited to complete three instruments, namely Demographic Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory - Student Survey (MBI-SS) and Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised 18-item (TFEQ-18). In addition, anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and waist circumference were taken. All data were collected at baseline and after 6-8weeks. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni pairwise comparison tests were performed using Stata version 13. The prevalence of academic burnout after 6-8weeks was revealed to be 17.4% and 73.5% respectively for moderate and high level of academic burnout respectively. Emotional eating (EEat) scores were significantly different over levels of academic burnout after 6-8weeks (p=0.0103) while no significant differences was observed in other subscales such as cognitive restraint (CR) and uncontrolled eating (UE). These findings evidenced partial associations between academic burnout and eating disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalised models of positive change following adversity do not fully account for differences in adjustment among populations who experience posttraumatic growth (PTG). The contributions of event intentionality, frequency of the adversity types, age at serious event, spirituality/religiousness, active coping, PTSD symptoms and social support were explored as predictors of PTG across three samples of university students (N = 101; Study 1), survivors of violent crime recruited from support services (N = 71; Study 2) and those working with survivors of adversity (N = 96; Study 3). The results of Study 1 revealed that age at serious event, active coping, PTSD symptoms and social support positively predicted PTG. Within Study 2, spirituality/religiousness, active coping and social support were the significant positive predictors of PTG. Finally in Study 3, spirituality/religiousness, active coping and social support were the significant positive predictors of PTG. Across all studies, event intentionality and frequency of adversity types did not determine PTG. These results indicate that while participants within each of the populations have the ability to experience PTG, different factors predicted whether PTG was observed. The findings offer greater insight into the multifarious nature of adjustment following adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study sought to extend our understanding as to how intolerance of uncertainty (IU) relates to information-processing by investigating associations between IU and attentional networks, including alerting, orienting, and executive attention. Based upon prior research, IU was expected to cluster with alerting. An unselected sample of college students (N = 86; 79% women) completed self-report measures of IU and state anxiety, as well as the attention network test. Among the attentional networks, IU only shared a positive association with alerting and the association remained intact after statistically controlling for state anxiety. State anxiety did not moderate the association between IU and alerting. Although two IU dimensions (prospective and inhibitory) both shared a positive association with alerting, only prospective IU was associated with alerting after statistically controlling for state anxiety. The results provide evidence that IU relates to an overfunctioning of the alerting attentional network, which may suggest a role of hypervigilance and a greater influence of bottom-up processing in relation to IU. Implications for how these results advance our understanding of possible links between IU and anxiety disorders are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used the functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging to explore the neural correlates of response to group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in mild depression. College students with mild depressive symptoms participated in our 4-week group CBT training. The behavioral results showed that depression symptoms decreased after participation in group CBT. After the training, the gray matter volume (GMV) in the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) increased and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) decreased. In addition, GMV in the left postcentral gyrus decreased after the group CBT. Moreover, the increase of percentage change in the right MFG was positively correlated with the decrease of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score, while less decrease in percentage change in the left postcentral gyrus was significantly correlated with greater decrease of BDI score. Finally, after the training, functional connectivity between the right MFG and the insula decreased, while the connectivity between the left postcentral gyrus and the parahippocampal gyrus increased. These findings suggested that short-term participation in group CBT had an effective impact on mild depression. It contributed to decreasing negative bias (salience detection for negative stimuli). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impulsivity is a relevant construct for explaining both normal individual differences in personality and more extreme personality disorder, and is often investigated within clinical populations. This study aims to explore the college students’ impulsivity patterns and to investigate the association across levels of impulsivity with trauma exposure and PTSD development in a non-clinical population. A one-phase census survey of seven college institutions assessed 2213 students in three metropolitan regions of Northeastern Brazil. All subjects anonymously completed a self-applied protocol consisting of: a socio-demographic questionnaire, Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ), PTSD Checklist (PCL-C), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). The median for frequency of trauma exposure was 4 events for people with low and normal impulsivity, and 6 for highly impulsive ones. Individuals with higher impulsivity presented earlier exposition than non-impulsive ones, and worst outcome: 12.4% with PTSD, against 8.4% and 2.3% (normal and low impulsivity). Of the three factors of impulsivity, the Attentional factor conferred the strongest association with PTSD development. Results suggest that impulsivity is also a relevant trait in a non-clinical population and is associated with trauma exposure and PTSD. Strategies to promote mental health in adolescents may be pertinent, especially with the aim of managing impulsivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of protective factors in symptom formation and prognosis in schizophrenia has been shown in many studies, but research in the early phases of psychosis is limited, particularly among the nonclinical subjects. Protective factors associated with the severity of symptoms and clinical outcomes might be meaningful to the establishment of prevention systems and to the development of optimal psychosocial interventions prior to the onset of psychosis. The present study compares self-reported levels of self-esteem, social support and resilience of 32 university students at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) and 32 healthy controls in a longitudinal study design. Associations between protective factors with symptoms of psychosis were assessed in the CHR group. Individuals at CHR showed significantly lower self-esteem, social support and resilience compared to healthy controls. In the CHR group, lower social support and lower self-esteem were associated with more severe positive, negative and depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analyses revealed that self-esteem was the only significant determinant for negative, depressive symptoms and global functioning. In addition, we found that subjects who were fully recovered at a 6-month follow-up survey were greater resilient and showed lower depressive symptoms at baseline. The result implied that resilience intervention could be effective on early prevention of the onset of psychosis. Moreover, implications and limitations of this study will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]