Mental health and risky sexual behaviors among Chinese college students: a large cross-sectional study

College students' engagement with social media messaging from university health services: the importance of expectancies and efficacy

Objective: The study analyzes e-health message content shared by university health centers and determines college students' engagement with those messages. Method: Using the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) framework, the current study content analyzed the RAA components (target behavior, attitudes/expectancies, social norms, and efficacy) within Instagram messages that were shared by official university health services accounts to promote health behaviors among college students. Results: Results showed that university health services are often using RAA-informed message strategies, with just under half of all posts containing at least one RAA component. Also, students are more likely to engage with university health services content that includes positive expectancies-specifically, improved academic performance and general efficacy. Conclusion: The present research will help university health services tailor their theory-driven messaging to improve student engagement with their e-health content.

Study protocol: A national cross-sectional study on psychology and behavior investigation of Chinese residents in 2023

Introduction

This study protocol specifies the primary research line and theoretical framework of the 2023 Survey of the Psychology and Behavior of the Chinese Population. It aims to establish a consistent database of Chinese residents' psychological and behavioral surveys through multi-center and large-sample cross-sectional surveys to provide robust data support for developing research in related fields. It will track the public's physical and psychological health more comprehensively and systematically.

Methods

The study was conducted from June 20, 2023 to August 31, 2023, using stratified and quota sampling methods. A total of 150 cities across 800 communities/villages were surveyed, selected from China (Despite extensive coordination, we have been unable to contact our counterparts in the Taiwan region of China to obtain relevant statistical data). The questionnaires were distributed to the public one-on-one and face-to-face by trained surveyors. The questionnaires included basic information about the individual, personal health status, basic information about the family, the social environment in which the individual lives, psychological condition scales, behavioral level scales, other scales, and attitudes towards topical social issues. Supervisors conducted quality control during the distribution process and returned questionnaires, logically checked and cleaned for data analysis.

Discussion

Data collection has been finished, and scientific outputs based on this data will support the development of health promotion strategies in China and globally. In the aftermath of the pandemic, it will guide policymakers and healthcare organizations to improve their existing policies and services to maximize the physical and mental health of the Chinese population.

Trial Registration

This study was filed in the National Health Security Information Platform (Record No.: MR-37-23-017876) and officially registered in the China Clinical Trials Registry (Registration No.: ChiCTR2300072573).

Patterns of adverse childhood experiences and their associations with depression, life satisfaction and short-form video addiction in Chinese college students

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are widespread in East Asia, heightening the susceptibility to psychological and behavioral complications in adulthood.

OBJECTIVE

To identify polyvictimization patterns among Chinese college students and investigate the associations between diverse patterns and symptoms of depression, short-form video addiction (SVA), and life satisfaction.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

This study encompassed 13,307 college students from four urban centers in China (Mage = 20.2; 46.4 % female).

METHODS

Latent class analysis (LCA) was employed to discern patterns of ACEs among college students. The three-step method (R3step) was utilized to explore the influence of demographic characteristics on the distribution of latent classes. Additionally, the automatic Bolck-Croon-Hagenaars (BCH) Method was deployed to investigate the latent classes effect on distal outcomes.

RESULTS

Left-behind experience was the most common ACE among Chinese college students. Four ACEs patterns were identified: 1) No/Very Low ACEs class (N = 8936, 67.2 %); 2) Parental Absence class (N = 430, 3.2 %); 3) Low/Moderate ACEs class (N = 3565, 26.8 %); and 4) High Violence and Left-behind class (N = 376, 2.8 %). The findings revealed a progressive escalation in healthy outcomes associated with the four ACEs patterns. Specifically, from the first class to the fourth, the severity of associated consequences (depression, life satisfaction and SVA) intensified.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinct ACEs patterns correlate with varying degrees of mental health issues. Compared to participants solely separated from parents, those exposed to abuse and neglect demonstrate more pronounced mental health challenges and addiction susceptibilities.

HIV knowledge, sexual attitudes, and PrEP-Eligible behaviors among college students in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

There is an increasing number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reported cases among students in Southwest China. However, the data on HIV/sex-related knowledge, attitude toward sex, sexual behaviors, and correlates of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-eligible behaviors among college students in this area is still limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HIV/sex-related knowledge, sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and factors associated with PrEP-eligible behaviors among college students.

METHOD

An online survey from 2020 to 2021 based on a multistage stratified and cluster sampling method was conducted among college students in Southwest China, and a well-designed questionnaire collected data. Propensity score matching (PSM), logistic, and log-binomial regression were used to identify the determinants of PrEP-eligible behaviors.

RESULT

A total of 108,987 students participated in the survey, and 92,946 provided valid responses. 91.6% (85,145/92,946) had good HIV-related knowledge, while only 26.0% (24,137/92,946) reported awareness of sex-related knowledge. Furthermore, more than half of the participants (64.5%) held negative stances towards engaging in "one-night stand", and 58.9% (617/1,047) reported PrEP-eligible behaviors. Log-binomial regression analysis indicated that unaware of HIV-related knowledge (aPR = 1.66, 95% CI:1.22-2.26, P = 0.001), not discussing about sex with their parent(s) (aPR = 1.16, 95% CI:1.01-1.33, P = 0.021), not receiving sex-related education in school(aPR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.07-1.45, P = 0.005), not participating in HIV/AIDS prevention activities in the past year (aPR = 1.32, 95%CI:1.09-1.60, P = 0.004), experiencing forced sex (aPR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.19-3.63, P = 0.010), and having the drug abuse (aPR = 22.21, 95% CI:5.59-88.31, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased odds of PrEP-eligible behaviors.

CONCLUSION

College students in Southwest China exhibited suboptimal HIV/sex-related knowledge, received limited sex education, reported conservative attitudes towards casual sex, and significant PrEP-eligible behaviors. These findings suggest that sexually experienced college students who were unaware of HIV-related knowledge, lacked sex education, experienced forced sex, and reported drug abuse were the key individuals for evaluating eligibility for PrEP initiation, and interventions aimed at increasing awareness of HIV/sex-related knowledge, promoting participation in sex education, addressing issues related to forced sex and tackling drug abuse could contribute to reducing the incidence of PrEP-eligible behaviors among college students.

The relationship between health-promoting behaviors and negative emotions in college freshmen: a cross-lagged analysis

Background

The prevalence of mental health issues has been gradually increasing among college students in recent years. Improvements in mental health can be achieved through changes in daily behavior and the use of psychological counseling. This study aims to investigate the relationship between health-promoting behaviors and negative emotions among college freshmen as they enter the university. It also examines the impact of various sub-dimensions of health-promoting behaviors and other factors on the negative emotions (stress, anxiety, and depression) experienced by college freshmen.

Methods

Using the Negative Emotion and Health-Promoting Behavior scales, a 7-month longitudinal study was conducted on 4,252 college freshmen, with collection of data at two time points (T1: November 12, 2021; T2: June 17, 2022). Out of this longitudinal study, 3,632 valid samples were obtained. This research aimed to explore the association and impact between negative emotions and the level of health-promoting behaviors among college students during their time at the university.

Results

① There were significant differences in the levels of health-promoting behaviors and negative emotions over the course of 7 months (P < 0.05). Health-promoting behaviors were found to have a significant negative correlation with negative emotions (P < 0.05). ② Negative emotions at T1 significantly negatively predicted health-promoting behaviors at T2 (β = -0.11, P < 0.01), while health-promoting behaviors at T1 significantly negatively predicted negative emotions at T2 (β = -0.12, P < 0.001). ③ Stress management (β = -0.104, P < 0.05; β = -0.087, P < 0.05), self-actualization (β = -0.282, P < 0.01; β = -0.260, P < 0.05), health responsibility (β = -0.057, P < 0.05; β = -0.088, P < 0.05), and interpersonal relations (β = 0.068, P < 0.01; β = 0.138, P < 0.05) were important components in improving stress and anxiety. Self-actualization (β = -0.437, P < 0.001), exercise (β = 0.048, P < 0.001), nutrition (β = 0.044, P < 0.001), and interpersonal relations (β = 0.065, P < 0.001) were important components in improving depression. ④ Gender, place of household registration, and whether the individual is the only child were significant factors affecting negative emotions in college freshmen.

Conclusion

The level of health-promoting behaviors is an important indicator for assessing the negative emotional states of college freshmen. Enhancing health-promoting behaviors across various dimensions can help alleviate different types of negative emotions. Gender, place of household registration, and being the only child are significant factors that influence negative emotions.

Retrospective review of rates of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) testing in provincial corrections facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador

Background

Sexually transmitted and blood borne infection (STBBI) testing is recommended for people who are incarcerated (PWAI). We sought to determine the rate of STBBI testing during admissions to provincial correctional institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study collected the identification of all admissions records in provincial correctional facilities in NL between July 1, 2020 and June 31, 2021 using the Provincial Corrections Offender Maintenance System database. Admissions to provincial detention centers were excluded. Records were linked with STBBI results, when available, within the electronic medical record (Meditech) using demographics. Testing rates, STBBI positivity rates, and univariate analysis of predictors for STBBI testing were completed.

Results

Of the 1,824 admissions identified, 1,716 were available for linkage to laboratory results. Admissions to detention centers (n = 105) were excluded. Any STBBI test result was available for 72 (4.5%) of admissions. No admission had complete testing for all STBBI. Facility testing rates ranged from 1.9 to 11.2% and 37.5% of STBBI tests had any positive results. Sixteen out of the 21 (76.2%) hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positives received HCV RNA testing, and 11/16 (88.8%) were HCV RNA positive. Institution (p = 0.001) and sex (p = 0.004) were found to be significant predictors of STBBI testing, while age was not significant (p = 0.496).

Conclusions

STBBI testing rates were low in provincial correctional facilities in NL, and STBBI prevalence, especially for HCV, was high among those tested. Strategies to increase the rate of testing could contribute to STBBI control in corrections facilities.

Effects of Sibship Size and Birth Order on Sexual and Reproductive Health among Sexually Active Young People in China

Only children are more prevalent among young people today in China due to the globally renowned one-child policy since the 1980s, but the association between sibship size and the sexual activity of youth needs to be further clarified. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of siblings, being an only child, and birth order on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of young people. Data were utilized from 11,044 sexually active college/university students who participated in a large-scale national survey. Overall, numerous undergraduates nationally identified as only children (43.5%); for non-only children, 32.4% were oldest children, 10.5% were middle children, and 13.6% were youngest children. For both sexes, having more siblings was related to having risky sexual debuts and less contraceptive use. Furthermore, young men and young people born in rural areas with more siblings were more likely to have severe health outcomes, such as unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection(s). Finally, being an only child protected youth from risky sexual behaviors and adverse health outcomes. For students with siblings, middle children were more inclined to risky sexual initiation and low frequency of contraception compared to first-borns. Our analysis provides the first evidence of one child and sibling effects on SRH in China and has significant implications for promoting SRH in the context of encouraging childbirth.