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Optimal Mental Health for Optimal Academic Performance in University Students
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Optimal Mental Health for Optimal Academic Performance in University Students

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral and Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 4424

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Claudia M. Van der Heijde

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Research, Development and Prevention, Student Health Service, University of Amsterdam, Oude Turfmarkt 151, 1012 GC Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: student health; employability; sustainable careers; lifelong learning; HRM; diversity and life phase issues
Prof. Dr. Guido Van Hal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
Interests: cancer screening; health behaviour; prevention
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mental health problems occur frequently among university students, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent. University students with mental health problems have more chances of dropping out, in particular, because of poor help-seeking. Studying seems to be stressful, with potential problematic factors being leaving the nest and forming an identity, trying to excel in a highly competitive environment, seeking financial freedom, COVID-19, etc. Different mental health problems, such as ADHD, using alcohol and drugs, eating disorders, loneliness, etc., may impact academic performance negatively. We encourage scholars to submit studies that look into various successful initiatives/methods/programs/interventions that target academic performance through improving the mental health aspects of students. Nowadays, several universities provide students with (e)health interventions on various health- and study-related subjects (i.e., mental health literacy, self-monitoring, and providing various exercises such as mindfulness, time management, and practicing self-compassion). Initiatives come from different therapeutic angles (such as positive psychology, CBT, etc.), and take on different forms (i.e., eHealth, therapeutic groups, and peer projects). Important research questions are also: How do we, on a continuous basis, improve mental health to help students’ academic performance? And: How in this effort do we take into account extra-vulnerable students? What are fruitful preventive efforts? How can students be stimulated to seek help for their mental health problems when needed? How do we keep students informed about several available mental health services?

We, the special Guest Editors, invite scholars to submit articles about the relationship between various mental health initiatives and academic performance.

Dr. Claudia M. Van der Heijde
Prof. Dr. Guido Van Hal
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • university students
  • academic performance
  • mental health status
  • drug use
  • alcohol use
  • ADHD
  • study drugs
  • prevention
  • (school-based) mental health services
  • (school-based) mental health programs
  • (school-based) mental health interventions

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 351 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Relationship between Physical Health, Mental Health and Students’ Success among Universities in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Samer A. Kharroubi, Nayla Al-Akl, Sarah-Joe Chamate, Tarek Abou Omar and Rouba Ballout
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050597 - 5 May 2024
Viewed by 2120
Abstract
Background: Achieving high academic success is known to be influenced by many factors including, but not limiting to, physical and mental health. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between physical health, mental health, and university students’ success, and to explore the [...] Read more.
Background: Achieving high academic success is known to be influenced by many factors including, but not limiting to, physical and mental health. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between physical health, mental health, and university students’ success, and to explore the associations between these factors and their academic achievement. Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered online survey was used to collect data from college students in three different universities in Lebanon during the Fall 2023 semester. Mental health was evaluated using validated screening tools for depression, anxiety, and stress, specifically the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), respectively. Additionally, general questions regarding physical health and lifestyle factors were incorporated into the questionnaire. Academic achievement was measured using students’ grade point average (GPA). Results: A total of 261 students completed the self-administered online survey. The results revealed that approximately 42% and 36% of students were experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively, and 75.1% of students exhibited symptoms of moderate stress. The majority of participants (99.2%) did not report any physical disability. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant association between mental health status (depression, anxiety, and stress) and GPA level (p = 0.03, p = 0.044, p = 0.015, respectively). Multiple logistic regression models identified eight correlates of GPA and highlighted the relationship between physical health and student success. For instance, students who considered themselves moderately active had lower odds of achieving a higher GPA than those who considered themselves active (OR = 0.41, p = 0.045). Conclusions: This is the first investigation into Lebanese university students’ academic success in relation to lifestyle and mental health profiles. The findings indicate that implementing public health programs and interventions targeting mental health and lifestyle behaviors is essential for enhancing student success. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimal Mental Health for Optimal Academic Performance in University Students)
12 pages, 302 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of a Pilot Wellness Elective for Master of Public Health Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Blaise Y. O’Malley, Edgard Etoundi-Ngono, Jianjun Hua, Joseph P. Nano and Catherine F. Pipas
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(5), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050590 - 3 May 2024
Viewed by 1368
Abstract
Background: Graduate student wellbeing is a public health issue in the United States. The COVID-19 outbreak exacerbated the mental health burden on graduate students worldwide. Culture of Wellness (PH 104) is a 2-week wellbeing elective course that teaches evidence-based wellbeing strategies for graduate [...] Read more.
Background: Graduate student wellbeing is a public health issue in the United States. The COVID-19 outbreak exacerbated the mental health burden on graduate students worldwide. Culture of Wellness (PH 104) is a 2-week wellbeing elective course that teaches evidence-based wellbeing strategies for graduate students at a university in the United States. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of this pilot wellbeing elective on Master of Public Health students’ mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Participants included 22 Master of Public Health students from the class of 2021 at a university in the United States. We provided a pre-course survey to students that assessed their perception of their own personal wellbeing, their knowledge about various wellbeing strategies, and their confidence in applying 13 wellbeing strategies before taking the course. Post-course students completed the same survey following course completion, as well as a matching evaluation and a five-month follow up survey. Results: Of the 13 strategies taught, students reported significant improvements in their ability to apply 10 strategies. There was a significant increase in self-reported emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as a significant decrease in burnout. Five months post-course, more than three quarters of respondents used strategies taught in the course on a weekly basis or more. Limitations: This pilot study is limited by its small sample size, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings. Conclusions: The PH 104 Culture of Wellness course was effective in improving graduate students’ wellbeing and confidence in applying wellbeing strategies Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimal Mental Health for Optimal Academic Performance in University Students)
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