Bleeding at the roots: Post-secondary student mental health and nature affiliation

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Windhorst ◽  
Allison Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary Student ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Post Secondary

scholarly journals Mapping the Role of Instructors in Canadian Post-Secondary Student Mental Health Support Systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Lucia DiPlacito-DeRango
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Secondary Student ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
College And University ◽  
University Support ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

AbstractUsing Recognize, Render, and Redirect (RRR) (Di Placito-De Rango, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 16:284–290, 2018) as a framing organizational model, this study engaged in online document analysis to (a) locate the instructor’s position within student mental health support frameworks across Canadian colleges and universities, and (b) understand how their role is exactly defined and described. The role of instructors within student mental health support systems was detailed in 20 Canadian post-secondary institutions. Strategies to recognize, render, and redirect students were observed in most frameworks. For example, 45% of college and university support frameworks featured instructors engaging in compassionate narrative exchanges with students, which included instructors listening to student narratives with concern, no judgement, anti-discriminatory demeanor, and minimal interruption. Post-secondary institutions are urged to continue clearly defining and updating the role of instructors in post-secondary student mental health support frameworks.

Occupational outcomes of a physical activity intervention for post-secondary student mental health

2021 ◽  
pp. 000841742110217
Author(s):  
Amy E. Nesbitt ◽  
Kristina J. Collins ◽  
Emily Nalder ◽  
Catherine M. Sabiston
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Secondary Student ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Outcomes ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Performance Satisfaction

Background. Physical activity (PA) is a therapeutic approach to address post-secondary student mental health, yet the effect of PA on occupational outcomes has been understudied among students. Purpose. This study (1) identified and described occupational performance issues (OPIs) among post-secondary students seeking mental health support and (2) assessed pre- and post-intervention differences in occupational performance and performance satisfaction. Method. Using a single group pre-test post-test pilot study design, participants ( N = 20) completed a 6-week, 1-hour PA intervention. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was administered pre- and post-intervention. Findings. The most commonly reported OPIs included academics, PA, and sleep hygiene. There were significant improvements in participants’ occupational performance (mean change: 2.7, p < .001; dz = 2.28) and performance satisfaction (mean change: 3.7, p < .001; dz = 3.04). Implications. Results provide an initial demonstration of the benefits of PA for occupational outcomes within a post-secondary mental health context.

scholarly journals Psychometric Assessment of the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Linden ◽  
Heather Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Secondary Student ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Post Secondary Students

Abstract Background: Previous research has linked excessive stress among post-secondary students to poor academic performance and poor mental health. Despite attempts to ameliorate mental health challenges at post-secondary institutions, there exists a gap in the evaluation of the specific sources of stress for students within the post-secondary setting. Methods: The goal of this study was to develop a new instrument to better assess the sources of post-secondary student stress. Over the course of two years, the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI) was created in collaboration with post-secondary students as co-developers and subject matter experts. In this study, we used a combination of individual cognitive interviews (n = 11), an online consensus survey modeled after a traditional Delphi method (n = 65), and an online pre- (n = 535) and post-test (n = 350) survey to psychometrically evaluate the PSSI using samples of students from Ontario, Canada. We collected four types of evidence for validity, including: content evidence, response processes evidence, internal structure evidence, and relations to other variables. The test-retest reliability of the instrument was also evaluated. Results: The PSSI demonstrated strong psychometric properties. Content validation and response processes evidence was derived from active student involvement throughout the development and refinement of the tool. Exploratory factor analysis suggested that the structure of the PSSI reflects the internal structure of an index, rather than a scale, as expected. Test-retest reliability of the instrument was comparable to existing, established instruments. Finally, the PSSI demonstrated good relationships with like measures of stress, distress, and resilience, in the hypothesized directions. Conclusions: The PSSI is a 46-item inventory that will allow post-secondary institutions to pinpoint the most severe and frequently occurring stressors on their campus. This knowledge will facilitate appropriate targeting of priority areas, and help institutions to better align their mental health promotion and mental illness prevention programming with the needs of their campus.

scholarly journals The Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI): Proof of Concept and Implications for Use

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Linden ◽  
Randall Boyes ◽  
Heather Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Campus Culture ◽  
Secondary Student ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Student Stress ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Illness Prevention

OBJECTIVE: This study demonstrates the utility of the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI), an instrument designed to identify and evaluate the sources of student stress. The PSSI is comprised of 46 stressors, rated by severity and frequency, across five domains: academics, learning environment, campus culture, interpersonal, and personal.Participants: Pilot testing of the tool was conducted among n = 535 post-secondary students enrolled at an Ontario university.METHODS: Mean severity and frequency ratings were calculated for each stressor on the instrument. Results were plotted, stratifying results by sex. T-tests for differences in means across sexes were calculated for each stressor.RESULTS: Female students in this sample consistently rated nearly all stressors on the instrument as more severe than their male counterparts. Females also reported higher frequency ratings on average, indicating that they worried more often about stressors than males. Domain-specific stressors are discussed.CONCLUSIONS: The PSSI can provide post-secondary institutions with the ability to target and improve their mental health promotion and mental illness prevention efforts.

scholarly journals Cross-Canada Release of the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI): A Study Protocol (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Linden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Secondary Student ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Student Stress ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND The prevalence of mental health related problems including stress, psychological distress, and symptoms of mental illnesses continue to increase among Canadian post-secondary student populations. Excessive stress in this population has been linked to a number of negative academic and health outcomes. Despite attempts to improve mental health at post-secondary institutions, a persistent gap exists in the evaluation of the specific sources of stress for students within the post-secondary setting. OBJECTIVE A cross-Canada, multi-site launch of the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI), engaging post-secondary institutions across the country as partners, will facilitate improved measurement of the sources of student stress in addition to contributing towards improved tailoring of upstream mental health services and supports. METHODS Created in collaboration with students, the PSSI is a validated 46-item tool assessing stressors across five domains: academics, learning environment, campus culture, interpersonal, and personal. The tool was designed to be applicable to students at all years, levels, and areas of study. At each participating institution, students are recruited to participate in an online survey including questions concerning sociodemographic characteristics, stress, mental health, and resiliency. Data is collected longitudinally at multiple time points over the course of each academic year. Analyses, including appropriate data visualization, will be conducted to determine the impact of specific stressors on mental health, linking responses over time to allow for the observation of changes in trends over time. RESULTS N/A CONCLUSIONS The PSSI is an intuitive and evidence-informed tool that can aid post-secondary institutions in evaluating the sources of student stress on their campus. This multi-year project will make a significant contribution to the current literature regarding post-secondary student stress, and allow institutions across the country to improve the tailoring of upstream mental health services to directly support the unique needs of their student body. Opportunities for knowledge translation and exchange are discussed. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

scholarly journals Psychometric Assessment of the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Linden ◽  
Heather Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Secondary Student ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Post Secondary Students

Abstract Background: Previous research has linked excessive stress among post-secondary students to poor academic performance and poor mental health. Despite attempts to ameliorate mental health challenges at post-secondary institutions, there exists a gap in the evaluation of the specific sources of stress for students within the post-secondary setting. Methods: The goal of this study was to develop a new instrument to better assess the sources of post-secondary student stress. Over the course of two years, the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI) was created in collaboration with post-secondary students as co-developers and subject matter experts. In this study, we used a combination of individual cognitive interviews (n = 11), an online consensus survey modeled after a traditional Delphi method (n = 65), and an online pre- (n = 535) and post-test (n = 350) survey to psychometrically evaluate the PSSI using samples of students from Ontario, Canada. We collected four types of evidence for validity, including: content evidence, response processes evidence, internal structure evidence, and relations to other variables. The test-retest reliability of the instrument was also evaluated. Results: The PSSI demonstrated strong psychometric properties. Content validation and response processes evidence was derived from active student involvement throughout the development and refinement of the tool. Exploratory factor analysis suggested that the structure of the PSSI reflects the internal structure of an index, rather than a scale, as expected. Test-retest reliability of the instrument was comparable to existing, established instruments. Finally, the PSSI demonstrated good relationships with like measures of stress, distress, and resilience, in the hypothesized directions. Conclusions: The PSSI is a 46-item inventory that will allow post-secondary institutions to pinpoint the most severe and frequently occurring stressors on their campus. This knowledge will facilitate appropriate targeting of priority areas, and help institutions to better align their mental health promotion and mental illness prevention programming with the needs of their campus.

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