Change search
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Mental Health and Wellness Challenges in Higher Education: A Comparison of Students in Three Countries
St. Jerome's University/University of Waterloo (CAN).ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6441-1621
University of Waterloo (CAN).ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0320-831X
University West, School of Business, Economics and IT, Division of Real Estate, Economics and Society. (KAMAIL)ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5259-0538
New York University, New York (USA).ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9983-4782
Show others and affiliations
2024 (English)In: The International Journal of Health, Wellness, and Society, ISSN 2156-8960, Vol. 14, no 2, p. 57-73Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This study examined the similarities and differences in sense of belonging, mental health, and well-being of higher education students from three countries. A cross-sectional design using a quantitative online survey was used to collect demographics, and perceptions of sense of belonging, mental health, and well-being. Participants were recruited from three universities in Canada, Germany, and Sweden. All students from the three countries reported only moderate emotional stability; neutral satisfaction with life; moderately strong levels of sense of belonging; and only moderate control of self and events, happiness, mental balance, self-esteem, social involvement, and sociability. Students in Sweden compared to Canada and Germany reported significantly stronger sense of belonging. Additionally, students in Sweden compared to students in Canada reported significantly stronger emotional stability and higher self-esteem. Higher levels of sense of belonging were strongly related to positive mental health and well-being. No significant differences as a function of sex, age, year-of-study, and program of study were found within and across countries. The findings shed light on the mental health status and well-being of students in two European countries where little research on student mental health has been conducted. Additionally, comparisons are made between student mental health in Canada and these European countries. The results validate the importance of a sense of belonging as it relates to the mental health and well-being of all higher education students. Findings can inform the design of promotion and prevention programs aimed at improving and maintaining mental health and well-being outcomes. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. Vol. 14, no 2, p. 57-73
Keywords [en]
Higher Education; International; Mental Health; Sense of Belonging; Well-Being
National Category
Learning Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Research subject
Work Integrated Learning
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hv:diva-22606DOI: 10.18848/2156-8960/cgp/v14i02/57-73Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85191573701OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hv-22606DiVA, id: diva2:1911353
Available from: 2024-11-07 Created: 2024-11-07 Last updated: 2024-11-07Bibliographically approved

Open Access in DiVA

No full text in DiVA

Other links

Publisher's full textScopus

Authority records

Johansson, Kristina

Search in DiVA

By author/editor
Drysdale, MaureenCallaghan, SarahJohansson, KristinaYacub, Aasim
By organisation
Division of Real Estate, Economics and Society
LearningPublic Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology

Search outside of DiVA

GoogleGoogle Scholar

doi
urn-nbn

Altmetric score

doi
urn-nbn
Total: 165 hits
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf