Search

Abstract Objective: Exploration of the relationship between mental health constructs and physical health constructs can help practitioners better understand the mental health of vulnerable populations, such as college students in the United States. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the connection between mental well-being and health literacy of US college students. Participants: The sample included 410 undergraduate students (63% white; 71% female) attending universities across the United States. Methods: Participants completed the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Univariate and bivariate statistics were observed for all study variables, and three linear regression models were run to see whether functional, communicative, and/or critical health literacy scores predicted mental well-being. Conclusions: Findings suggest that health literacy was associated with improved mental well-being among US college students, which has implications for health programming at US universities, such as the coordination of physical and mental healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With many social workers already using or working in sport, understanding available learning opportunities is critical to enhance competency-based practice, a cornerstone of the profession. To meet this need, this study explored learning opportunities used by social workers using or working in sport. In total, 15 social work professionals were interviewed, representing different professional backgrounds and demographics. Findings demonstrate that social workers engaged in several learning opportunities, including formal education, informal learning opportunities, and personal experiences as an athlete. With this new knowledge, organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers and Council on Social Work Education may consider the development of specialty practice areas and social work specializations, further allowing social work students to individualize their education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision of holistic care for athletes often involves interprofessional teams with specialists to support athletic performance and overall wellness. Yet, regarding psychological support, some have advocated for a single professional to attain both a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) credential and any type of mental health license (e.g., Licensed Psychologist [LP], Licensed Social Worker [LSW], or Licensed Professional Counselor [LPC]) to address the mental performance and mental health needs of athletes. Unfortunately, this approach may hinder interprofessional collaboration and ignore distinctions between CMPCS and other types of mental health professionals. Alternatively, CMPCs and various types of mental health professionals may work together on interprofessional psychological support teams. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the distinct historical and theoretical foundations of mental performance consulting, clinical psychology, social work, and professional counseling in sport contexts to serve as a resource for enhancing interprofessional competence within such teams. The distinct training pathways of CMPCs, LPs, LSWs, and LPCs are outlined with attention to how each can serve a valuable role on an interprofessional support team for athletes. Applications of the World Health Organization's framework for interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) to psychological support teams in sport contexts is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research estimates that 39% of college-aged individuals have a mental health diagnosis. In response to these concerning trends, this study was designed to better understand variables associated with mental well-being among college students. As both a strong sense of self-efficacy and high mental health literacy have been associated with increased mental well-being, this study specifically examines the relationship between mental health literacy and self-efficacy among college students, and if this relationship is moderated by mental health stigma. Study participants were recruited through convenience sampling with the assistance of Qualtrics survey software. A total of 410 undergraduate university students throughout the United States completed the survey. Linear regression results showed that both mental health literacy (b =.37, p <.001), and stigma (b = −0.15, p <.05) were statistically significant predictors of self-efficacy when controlling for gender, age, parental income, and previous mental health diagnosis. Contrary to our hypothesis, stigma was not shown to moderate the relationship between mental health literacy and self-efficacy. The results of our study suggest that increased mental health literacy and less stigmatized attitudes among college students are both associated with increased self-efficacy. Our findings can inform mental health programming at universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among adults, health literacy and health-related quality of life are highly correlated constructs that are associated with tangible health outcomes. While the connection between these concepts and health outcomes among youth is still unclear, studying these factors among at-risk adolescent populations can provide researchers, policy-creators, and educators a quantifiable summary of the challenge they face in their efforts to reduce health disparities. The purpose of this study was to better understand the health of minority youth living in a Southern state near the US-Mexico border. Specifically, we sought to describe their health literacy and health-related quality of life, and identify how those concepts may be interrelated. Results indicated that our sample of primarily Mexican American and Black American youth living along the US-Mexico border may be struggling more than other known high-risk groups in terms of health literacy and health-related quality of life. Practical implications for families, schools, and border communities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]