A Student-to-Student Dental Outreach Program |
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Authors: | Jonathan A Gur-Yosef DDS Gary S Leske DDS MS MPH Louis W Ripa DDS MS |
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Institution: | 1. Tel Aviv University , Israel;2. The department of children's dentistry , School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York , Stony Brook, USA |
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Abstract: | Abstract Objective: This study investigates the individual, interpersonal, and institutional level factors that are associated with overall mental health among college students. Participants: Data are from an online cross-sectional survey of 2,203 students currently enrolled at a large public university. Methods: Mental health was ascertained using a subcomponent of the RAND Medical Outcomes Study functioning and well-being measures developed by the RAND corporation. Stepwise regression was used to determine if self-reported measures of individual (ie, coping abilities), interpersonal (ie, intergroup awareness), and institutional (ie, campus climate/tension) level factors were associated with overall mental health, after controlling for demographic characteristics. Results: The combined effects of both individual and institutional level measures were associated with student mental health. In particular, limited coping abilities and a perceived racially tense campus climate contributed to the psychological distress of college students. Conclusions: Simultaneously addressing the individual and institutional level influences on mental health offers the most promising help for students. |
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Keywords: | campus climate college students coping abilities mental health |
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