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Positive Mental Health in University Students and Its Relations with Psychological Vulnerability, Mental Health Literacy, and Sociodemographic Characteristics: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Author

Listed:
  • Sónia Teixeira

    (CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto School of Nursing, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Carme Ferré-Grau

    (Faculty of Nursing, Universitat Rovira y Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain)

  • Teresa Lluch Canut

    (Department of Public Health, Mental Health and Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Nursing School, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Regina Pires

    (CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto School of Nursing, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • José Carlos Carvalho

    (CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto School of Nursing, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Isilda Ribeiro

    (CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto School of Nursing, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Carolina Sequeira

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Teresa Rodrigues

    (CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto School of Nursing, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Francisco Sampaio

    (CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Higher School of Health Fernando Pessoa, 4200-253 Porto, Portugal)

  • Tiago Costa

    (CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, 4434-502 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal)

  • Carlos Alberto Sequeira

    (CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto School of Nursing, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate positive mental health (PMH) and its relation with sociodemographic characteristics, mental health literacy, and the psychological vulnerability scale (PVS) in Portuguese university students aged 17 to 62. A descriptive correlational study was carried out. An online survey was conducted to evaluate demographic variables, and several questionnaires were applied to evaluate positive mental health, psychological vulnerability, and mental health literacy. The data was collected from 1 November 2019 to 1 September 2020. Overall, 3405 students participated in the study. The results show that 67.8% of students revealed a high level of PMH, 31.6% presented a medium level of PMH, and 0.6% had a low level of PMH. Male students reported higher personal satisfaction ( t (3170) = −2.39, p = 0.017) and autonomy ( t (3170) = −3.33, p = 0.001) in PMH compared to female students. Students without a scholarship scored higher ( t (3127) = −2.04, p = 0.42) in PMH than students who held a scholarship. Students who were not displaced from their home reported higher ( t (3170) = −1.99, p = 0.047) self-control in PMH than those displaced from their home. University students with higher PMH results had lower PVS results and higher literacy results. The findings of this study will contribute to identifying students’ PMH intervention needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Sónia Teixeira & Carme Ferré-Grau & Teresa Lluch Canut & Regina Pires & José Carlos Carvalho & Isilda Ribeiro & Carolina Sequeira & Teresa Rodrigues & Francisco Sampaio & Tiago Costa & Carlos Alberto , 2022. "Positive Mental Health in University Students and Its Relations with Psychological Vulnerability, Mental Health Literacy, and Sociodemographic Characteristics: A Descriptive Correlational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3185-:d:766593
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Meredith O’Connor & Ann V. Sanson & John W. Toumbourou & Jacolyn Norrish & Craig A. Olsson, 2017. "Does Positive Mental Health in Adolescence Longitudinally Predict Healthy Transitions in Young Adulthood?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 177-198, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francisco Sampaio & Joana Coelho & Patrícia Gonçalves & Carlos Sequeira, 2022. "Protective and Vulnerability Factors of Municipal Workers’ Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Cristina Gavriluță & Costel Marian Dalban & Beatrice Gabriela Ioan, 2022. "Educational, Emotional, and Social Impact of the Emergency State of COVID-19 on Romanian University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Joana Nobre & António Calha & Henrique Luis & Ana Paula Oliveira & Francisco Monteiro & Carme Ferré-Grau & Carlos Sequeira, 2022. "Mental Health Literacy and Positive Mental Health in Adolescents: A Correlational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-16, July.
    4. Maria Aurelia Sánchez-Ortega & Maria Teresa Lluch-Canut & Juan Roldán-Merino & Zaida Agüera & Miguel Angel Hidalgo-Blanco & Antonio R. Moreno-Poyato & Jose Tinoco-Camarena & Carmen Moreno-Arroyo & Mon, 2022. "Nursing Intervention to Improve Positive Mental Health and Self-Care Skills in People with Chronic Physical Health Conditions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-9, December.

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