The associations between lifestyle factors and mental well‐being in baccalaureate nursing students: An observational study

Abstract

Lifestyle factors are modifiable habits that shape the way in which individuals live their lives and can influence mental health. This study examined the associations between lifestyle factors and mental well‐being among baccalaureate nursing students at one Canadian university. A cross‐sectional, observational online survey was distributed at one urban university campus in Ontario, Canada. Baccalaureate nursing students (n = 147) completed the survey containing questions for demographic variables, sleep quality, dietary pattern, alcohol use, physical activity, sitting time, cigarette smoking, depression, anxiety and stress. Linear regression analysis revealed that more sitting time, poor sleep quality, and low dairy consumption were associated with higher scores in depression, anxiety, and psychological stress. In conclusion, poor lifestyle behaviors such as sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep, and low dairy consumption may reduce the mental well‐being of baccalaureate nursing students. Future efforts should aim to establish a causal relationship between lifestyle and mental well‐being, which would contribute to the development of lifestyle interventions to promote mental health.

A systematic review of the association of diet quality with the mental health of university students: implications in health education practice

“…Of these studies, four used a diet quality measure and all found a negative association of diet quality with anxiety [ 46 , 49 , 64 , 65 ]. Studies using questionnaires also showed that unhealthy diet was positively associated with anxiety [ 57 , 58 , 60 , 63 ].…”

“…Six studies using a diet quality measure found a negative association of diet quality with stress [ 46 , 64–68 ]. Additionally, studies using questionnaires found that unhealthy diets were positively correlated with stress [ 51 , 55 , 59 , 62 , 63 ], as well as that healthy diets were negatively correlated with stress [ 51 , 55 , 59 ].…”

Religiosity, stress, and depressive symptoms among nursing and medical students during the middle stage of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Morocco

“…Other factors might be also involved in the affective disorders among students, such as lifestyle. A study among nursing students in Ontario (Canada) showed that increased sitting time, poor sleep quality, and low dairy consumption were associated with higher scores of depression, anxiety, and psychological stress (13).…”

“…Many risk factors are reported and included the high competitiveness of medical school, simultaneous hospital training and lectures, overnight shift work, the large volume of knowledge, and the growth of medical, paramedical, logistical, and relational responsibilities (11)(12)(13).…”

“…They often report retrieving a sense of comfort in assets such as religious and spiritual resources (16-18). Indeed, worldwide studies have reported that various aspects of religiosity/spirituality are improving depression symptoms and decreasing the incidence of suicide (13). Studies conducted in Muslim countries focused on the context and why religiosity should be considered a valid coping strategy for mental health issues (19,20).…”