Positive and Negative Predictors of Mental Health in College Students. A cross-sectional predictive study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Academic life exposes college students to multiple adjustments, demands, and vulnerabilities that can cause stress and mental health problems. Recognizing positive or negative predictors of students' mental health promotes personal development, well-being, and academic success. To identify psychological well-being and psychological distress predictors in college students' mental health. METHODS This cross-sectional predictive study design used a non-probabilistic 560-sample of students; 446 were women. Participants' age ranged from 18 to 41 years (x ̅ = 19.6; SD = 1.68). An online self-report questionnaire covered all variables (demographic and relational; academic; health behaviours) and measures: Mental Health Inventory; Satisfaction with Social Support Scale; Satisfaction with Academic Life Scale; and Psychological Vulnerability Scale. R ESULTS: Regression analyses indicate that the male students, dating, good academic performance, exercise, sleeping seven hours, satisfaction with social support, and academic life satisfaction are significant predictors (p < .05) of psychological well-being, the last two with great weight. Females, low-income, aged 21–24 years, sleeping less than 6 hours, moderate psychological vulnerability, and perception of vulnerability are significant (p < .05) negative predictors of psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS This study addresses positive and negative predictors of psychological well-being and distress in college students. Specific mental health promotion and morbidity prevention programs could improve students' mental health literacy and resilience.