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Almeida C, Novo A, Canut ML, Ferré-Grau C, Sequeira C. COVID-19-Evidence of the Impact of Literacy and Salutogenic Behaviours in Positive Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:845. [PMID: 37887494 PMCID: PMC10604396 DOI: 10.3390/bs13100845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Positive mental health is defined as the ability to perceive and interpret the context of a situation and to adapt to it whenever necessary. Considering the pandemic situation, identifying the factors that may have the greatest impact on quality of life and consequently, on positive mental health is paramount. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of health literacy on the adoption of behaviours that promote positive mental health during COVID-19. A descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted on a sample of 770 patients using a questionnaire for sociodemographic characterization, the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire and the Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire. Concerning health-promoting behaviours, those who sleep enough hours, exercise regularly, eat healthy and are more aware of mental health promotion activities, or have greater mental health literacy, have higher positive mental health scores. Thus, having more knowledge of mental health and adopting health-promoting behaviours improve positive mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Almeida
- ULSNE-Unidade Local de Saúde Nordeste, 5301-852 Bragança, Portugal
- Faculty of Nursing, Universitat Rovira y Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
| | - André Novo
- Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Escola Superior de Saúde, 5300-121 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Maria Lluch Canut
- Department of Public Health, Mental Health and Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Nursing School, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Ferré-Grau
- Faculty of Nursing, Universitat Rovira y Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Carlos Sequeira
- Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto, CINTESIS-Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Serviços de Saúde, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
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Shek DTL, Chai W, Li X, Dou D. Profiles and predictors of mental health of university students in Hong Kong under the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1211229. [PMID: 37533721 PMCID: PMC10391639 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1211229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the mental health problems of university students in Hong Kong and related sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors under the pandemic. A total of 978 undergraduate students (mean age = 20.69 ± 1.61) completed an online questionnaire measuring sociodemographic factors, psychological morbidity, positive well-being, COVID-19 related stress and self-efficacy, and positive psychosocial attributes. Psychosocial risk factors included psychological morbidity, COVID-19 related stress, and difficulties encountered under the pandemic, whereas protective factors comprised pandemic related self-efficacy, positive psychological attributes, positive environmental factors, need satisfaction and positive perception toward service. Results showed that psychological morbidity in the participants was widespread, and it was related to sociodemographic factors, particularly family financial difficulties. While pandemic related stress positively predicted psychological morbidity and negatively predicted well-being indicators, COVID-19 self-efficacy showed an opposite effect. Besides, positive psychological attributes (resilience, emotional competence, and positive beliefs related to adversity) and environmental factors (healthy family functioning, peer support, and supportive community atmosphere) negatively predicted psychological morbidity and positively predicted well-being. Furthermore, need satisfaction and positive perception toward service were negatively associated with psychological morbidity and positively associated with well-being, while perceived difficulties showed an opposite effect.
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Kondo A, Abuliezi R, Niitsu K, Naruse K, Oki T, Ota E, Ezeonwu MC. Factors related to mental health effect among nursing students in Japan and the United States during the coronavirus pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2023; 32:186-198. [PMID: 36184845 PMCID: PMC9538421 DOI: 10.1111/inm.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In the context of mental health, university students have been considered a vulnerable population. However, limited studies have underscored the association between preventive health behaviour levels and mental health effects among nursing students. The current cross-sectional study provides a comparative analysis of the impact of mental health factors on nursing students in Japan and the United States (US) in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study consisted of 878 participants, comprising both undergraduate and graduate nursing students from four universities in Japan, and one from the US. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to analyse the participant data in this study. In contrast to the American students, the Japanese students demonstrated significantly lower levels of perceived control and significantly higher levels of preventive health behaviours. Furthermore, Japanese students exhibited significantly higher levels of stress and/or symptoms of depression induced by the social distancing orders compared to the American students (z = -4.218, P < 0.001). However, no difference was observed after adjusting for perceived control, individual factors, socio-economic factors, and preventive behaviours. During the pandemic, risk factors that can worsen mental health among the nursing students included younger age [odds ratio (95%CI) = 0.62 (0.48-0.81)], women [OR = 2.17 (1.02-4.61)], higher preventive health behaviour [OR = 1.05 (1.02-1.08)], lower perceived control [OR = 0.97 (0.94-0.99)], and lower perceived health competence [OR = 0.93 (0.90-0.96)]. Thus, this study recommends establishing training programmes that enhance perceived control and perceived health competence while encouraging preventive behaviour to support the mental health of nursing students, particularly young female students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Kondo
- International Nursing Development, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Renaguli Abuliezi
- International Nursing Development, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosuke Niitsu
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, Washington, USA
| | - Kazuko Naruse
- School of Nursing, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomomi Oki
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation Sciences, Showa University, Yokohama-shi, Japan
| | - Erika Ota
- St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan.,Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mabel C Ezeonwu
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, Washington, USA
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Nobre J, Luis H, Oliveira AP, Monteiro F, Cordeiro R, Sequeira C, Ferré-Grau C. Psychological Vulnerability Indices and the Adolescent's Good Mental Health Factors: A Correlational Study in a Sample of Portuguese Adolescents. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9121961. [PMID: 36553404 PMCID: PMC9777048 DOI: 10.3390/children9121961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Psychological vulnerability (PV) indicates the individual’s inability to adapt to stressful situations. Adolescents experience negative impacts on their future mental health if they do not acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to have good mental health during their developmental stage. Aim: To compare the PV index among the three stages of adolescence and to explore the factors involved in good mental health, including the relationship between adolescents’ PV indices and sociodemographic variables, and the relationship between adolescents’ PV index and their knowledge of the factors that characterize good mental health. Method: An exploratory, cross-sectional, correlational study was carried out in three public schools in a region of Portugal, using online self-completed questionnaires: the Psychological Vulnerability Scale (PVS) and the Mental Health-Promoting Knowledge (MHPK-10). Results: Our convenience sample consisted of 260 adolescents, with a mean age of 14.07 years who were students between 5th and 12th grades, mostly female. Moderate PV indexes were obtained that were higher in late adolescence, i.e., in older adolescents, who were females in a more advanced school year, with worse self-perceptions of their physical and mental health and body image, and who frequently used a health service due to mental health problems. The association between the PV index and the level of knowledge about the factors involved in good mental health did not reach a statistical significance (p = 0.06). Conclusions: These results suggest a need for a design of personalized interventions that promote adolescents’ mental health literacy, that prevent PV, and that should be initiated in early adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Nobre
- Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Rovira i Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
- Nursing Research Unit for South and Islands (NURSE’IN), Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, 2914-503 Setúbal, Portugal
- VALORIZA—Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Henrique Luis
- Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
- Unidade de Investigação em Ciências Orais e Biomédicas (UICOB), Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua Teresa Ambrósio, 1600-277 Lisbon, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechcare), Polytechnic of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Oliveira
- Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Rovira i Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Francisco Monteiro
- Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
| | - Raul Cordeiro
- Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
- VALORIZA—Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal
- Group Inovation & Development in Nursing (NursID), Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Serviços de Saúde (CINTESIS), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Sequeira
- Group Inovation & Development in Nursing (NursID), Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Serviços de Saúde (CINTESIS), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Nursing School of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carme Ferré-Grau
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Rovira i Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
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Oliveira AP, Nobre JR, Luis H, Luis LS, Albacar-Riobóo N, Pinho LG, Sequeira C. Literacy and Mental Health of Portuguese Higher Education Students and Their Use of Health Promotion Strategies during Confinement in the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14393. [PMID: 36361270 PMCID: PMC9658650 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The pandemic of COVID-19 caused significant changes in economies and societies with a major impact on the entire education process. However, these changes did not invalidate a constant effort of adaptation. This cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study used an online questionnaire administered to students from various study cycles at higher education institutions in Portugal, with the aim of exploring the influence of literacy and mental health on the use of mental health promotion strategies during COVID-19 confinement. A total of 329 students from higher education institutions participated in this study, mostly from the age group 18-24 years (n = 272; 82.7%) and female (n = 265, 80.5%). The most mentioned health promotion strategies during this period included studying (n = 170; 51.7%); physical activities (n = 151, 45.9%); social networking (n = 124, 37.7%); cooking activities (n = 120, 36.5%); and listening to music (n = 118, 35.9%). Academic success is self-reported, and it is weakly correlated with the MHI5 (r = 0.103, p = 0.063). Students in the pre-graduate programs studied more during the times of the pandemic and used this activity as a mental-health-promoting strategy with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.033). Although it was difficult to improve health literacy related to COVID-19 in such a short period of time, there was a very strong motivation to access, understand, evaluate, communicate, synthesize, and apply information and knowledge to maintain mental health through self-care using health promotion strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Oliveira
- Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Rovira e Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Joana Rita Nobre
- Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Rovira e Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Henrique Luis
- Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portugal
- Unidade de Investigação em Ciências Orais e Biomédicas (UICOB), RHODes-Rede de Higienistas Orais para o Desenvolvimento da Ciência Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua Teresa Ambrósio, 1600-277 Lisbon, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechcare), Polytechnic of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
| | - Luis Soares Luis
- Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechcare), Polytechnic of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
- School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
| | | | - Lara Guedes Pinho
- Nursing School, University of Evora, 7000-811 Evora, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, 7002-554 Evora, Portugal
| | - Carlos Sequeira
- Nursing School of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Group Inovation and Development in Nursing (NursID), Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Serviços de Saúde (CINTESIS), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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