A balancing act–finding one´s way to health and well-being: A qualitative analysis of interviews with Swedish university students on lifestyle and behavior change

Abstract

Introduction Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as unhealthy diets, low physical activity levels, smoking, and harmful alcohol consumption are common in student populations, which constitute a large group of young adults. As unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are associated with future disease and premature mortality, most commonly from cardiovascular disease and cancers, it is from a public health perspective important to understand such behaviors in young adult populations. The objective of this study was to investigate university students’ experiences of health, health-related behaviors, and the barriers and facilitators for behavior change in terms of health promotion in everyday life. Materials and methods This qualitative study was conducted at a middle-sized university in Sweden. Students represented different faculties and were recruited via non-probability convenience sampling using means such as the snowball technique and social media. The 21 interviews with 24 students, individually or in groups, were transcribed verbatim prior to a qualitative analysis inspired by phenomenological hermeneutics. Results Our interviews showed that university student life is associated with new health-related challenges, for example study-related stress and procrastination implies a lack of energy to engage in healthy routines such as physical activity, and a limited budget affects food choices. While adapting to a new context, students explore personal strategies such as taking on changes in manageable steps, seeking social support, and avoiding disturbances to maintaining health and quality of life. Conclusions Experiences of health while becoming and being a university student can be described as a transition–a balancing act of walking a slack line–during which students seek to manage a healthy balance. In the past, interventions have to some extent been designed to address university students’ behaviors; however, our study aids an understanding of their needs. Future interventions should highlight the transitions they are experiencing and the challenges of student life.

Effects of a single session low-threshold digital intervention for procrastination behaviors among university students (Focus): Findings from a randomized controlled trial

“…The Focus intervention was created in collaboration with Student health care centers across Sweden based on their request for a tool for procrastination that can reach students at scale. Additionally, previous research investigating health-related behaviors among university students has identified study-related stress and procrastination as barriers to not engage in healthy behaviors such as being physically active ( Åsberg et al, 2022 ). While Focus was found to be insufficient in supporting students to change their procrastination behavior, there is still a need for future research to find avenues for a more preventive and proactive approach to procrastination and its negative consequences.…”

“…In addition, procrastination also appears to have a negative effect on lifestyle behaviors including delaying and avoiding health-promoting behaviors ( Sirois and Giguère, 2018 ; Sirois et al, 2023 ). Interview studies which have focused on university students' experiences of health and health-related behaviors during the academic years, has highlighted that procrastination and study-related stress out-compete healthy behaviors such as physical activity, sleep hygiene, and healthy cooking ( Åsberg et al, 2022 ).…”

Evaluating the effectiveness of a brief digital procrastination intervention targeting university students in Sweden: study protocol for the Focus randomised controlled trial

“…Previous research, interviewing university students about their experiences of health and health-related behaviours, highlighted procrastination and study-related stress as a common barrier for not engaging in healthy routines such as physical activity and healthy cooking 34. This study was designed and developed in collaboration with professionals at student healthcare centres across Sweden.…”

“…Previous research, interviewing university students about their experiences of health and health-related behaviours, highlighted procrastination and study-related stress as a common barrier for not engaging in healthy routines such as physical activity and healthy cooking. 34 This study was designed and developed in collaboration with professionals at student healthcare centres across Sweden. During the process of designing the intervention content and usability testing of the digital support, approximately 10 professionals took part in multidisciplinary group meetings during 2022.…”

“Simply complicated”: Uncovering the processes of lifestyle behavior change among college and university students with access to a digital multiple lifestyle intervention

“…In a previous study, we investigated and found that students seek to balance their desire to make informed health choices against experiencing and enjoying student life. 34 These challenges and needs of students that have been previously identified have informed the design and content of a digital multiple lifestyle behavior intervention called Buddy . Buddy aims to provide health behavior-change support regarding alcohol consumption, physical activity, diet, and smoking.…”