Assessing Sociodemographic Impact on Mental Health Experience in University Students
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic helped shift mental health conversations from taboo to embraced among younger generations. With this shift, young people may be more willing to report on their mental health status, aiding professionals in understanding the relationship between mental health and overall health status. Research supports that factors vary among youth mental health experiences, but gaps in knowledge on the extent sociodemographic factors contribute still exists. This study investigates associations between the mental health experiences (MHE) and sociodemographic factors among college students. This knowledge can inform how to craft mental health programs to suit the needs of diverse university student demographics. A mixed-methods approach will examine data from a 2023 study on mental health literacy in a university community. MHE variables include previous/current personal experience with mental illness, exposure to a family or peer with mental illness, and/or previous experience seeking help from health professionals. Descriptives will report MHE by type and total number (0-3). Correlation analysis will determine relationships between MHE and sociodemographic variables, while independent t-tests will determine differences in the number of MHE according to the demographic factors. Any associations found would suggest specific sociodemographic groups have higher rates of mental health experience than other individuals in the category. Although future studies may be necessary to further confirm an association between sociodemographics and MHE, this study hopes to shed light on factors related to mental health experiences and the needs for support in university students.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Christi M. Navarro
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-3-2024 12:30 PM
End Date
4-4-2024 1:30 PM
Assessing Sociodemographic Impact on Mental Health Experience in University Students
Alvin Sherman Library
The COVID-19 pandemic helped shift mental health conversations from taboo to embraced among younger generations. With this shift, young people may be more willing to report on their mental health status, aiding professionals in understanding the relationship between mental health and overall health status. Research supports that factors vary among youth mental health experiences, but gaps in knowledge on the extent sociodemographic factors contribute still exists. This study investigates associations between the mental health experiences (MHE) and sociodemographic factors among college students. This knowledge can inform how to craft mental health programs to suit the needs of diverse university student demographics. A mixed-methods approach will examine data from a 2023 study on mental health literacy in a university community. MHE variables include previous/current personal experience with mental illness, exposure to a family or peer with mental illness, and/or previous experience seeking help from health professionals. Descriptives will report MHE by type and total number (0-3). Correlation analysis will determine relationships between MHE and sociodemographic variables, while independent t-tests will determine differences in the number of MHE according to the demographic factors. Any associations found would suggest specific sociodemographic groups have higher rates of mental health experience than other individuals in the category. Although future studies may be necessary to further confirm an association between sociodemographics and MHE, this study hopes to shed light on factors related to mental health experiences and the needs for support in university students.
