Well-being in an academic environment

Purpose  Due to the high volume and acuity of mental health issues presented by graduate and professional students nationwide, this study explored specific mental health needs in students in order to identify credible areas for intervention. Methods  An assessment tool was created for this project,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical education 2004-05, Vol.38 (5), p.465-478
Main Author: Stecker, Tracy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
continuing/methods
Depression - epidemiology
education
Education, Graduate - statistics & numerical data
education, medical, continuing/methods
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
medical
mental health
risk factors
stress psychological/psychology/prevention and control
Stress, Psychological - epidemiology
students
students, medical
Students, Medical - psychology
substance abuse/psychology
Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology
Substance-Related Disorders - psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States - epidemiology
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Summary:Purpose  Due to the high volume and acuity of mental health issues presented by graduate and professional students nationwide, this study explored specific mental health needs in students in order to identify credible areas for intervention. Methods  An assessment tool was created for this project, which identified satisfaction with current services, stress, coping, sleeping, eating, exercise, high risk sexual behaviours, social support, depression and substance use. Students at top ranking academic medical centres within the USA received a copy of the instrument on 2 separate occasions. Results  Results indicated that graduate and professional students reported alarming symptoms of depression, stress and substance use. Increased symptoms of depression were associated with high levels of stress and low social support. Conclusion  Given the high rates of depression symptoms in this setting, along with inadequate services and long waiting lists, interventions must be found to address need. Need assessment is a proactive method of exploring need in specific populations in order to provide preventive and clinical services efficiently. Based on the relationship between stress, social support and symptoms of depression, forming groups aimed at preventing depression may be the best method of reducing the severity and frequency of symptoms in students.
ISSN:0308-0110
1365-2923
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2929.2004.01812.x