Predictors of positive mental health in higher education students. A cross‐sectional predictive study

Abstract

Purpose: To describe positive mental health (PMH) psychological vulnerability (PV) and identify predictors of PMH in higher education students (HES).Design and Methods: A cross-sectional, predictive study was performed with a convenience sample of 3322 students, using an online questionnaire with sociodemographic information, the PMH Questionnaire, and the PV Scale. Findings:The majority scored a flourishing level, and 67.7% of the participants scored high levels of PV. The Regression Model found a significant predictive variable for PMH.Practice Implications: Gender, age, regular exercise, healthy diet, number of meals per day, and leisure activities are significant positive predictors of PMH. PV is the sole significant negative predictor. Therefore, improving mental health literacy can be a strategy to support HES.

Differences in Psychological Vulnerability, Mental Health Liter-Acy, Positive Mental Health, and Health Behaviours in Portu-Guese Higher Education Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…These study results are similar to previous studies (Nogueira et al, 2021(Nogueira et al, , 2022Sequeira et al, 2019), and overall, stress that older students have better levels of PMH, literacy and less VP, which is crucial to the health professional and universities. Also, female students showed worse PV and better literacy levels, except for F2.…”

“…Hence, students' positive mental health (PMH) is essential to cope with daily life adversities (Sequeira et al, 2014). Research shows that low mental health literacy negatively correlates with positive mental health in higher education students (Nogueira et al, 2022). Importantly, students' optimal mental health is required to achieve positive results at the personal level and academic performance and success Disclaimer/Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions, and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s).…”

“…Also, some health variables negatively influence students' positive mental health (Nogueira, 2017;Sequeira et al, 2014;Teixeira et al, 2022). Additionally, recent studies in higher education students show that psychological vulnerability (PV) is associated with poor levels of PMH (Nogueira et al, 2022;Teixeira et al, 2022), and PV is a negative predictor of mental health~, hindering well-being. PV comprises external dependence on others for self-worth and approval and a rigid global function that increases individuals' vulnerability under stressful environments (Beck & Haigh, 2014;Sinclair & Wallston, 2010).…”

“…MHL interventions promote positive mental health, reduce stigma, and improve higher-education students' help-seeking behaviours (Loureiro & Freitas, 2020). Low levels of MHL positively correlate with adverse health outcomes and PV (Nogueira et al, 2022;Sequeira et al, 2019). PMH´s concept encompasses the Salutogenic perspective since it focuses on positive factors that support health and well-being rather than risks and problems (Bhattacharya et al, 2020).…”

“…PMH´s concept encompasses the Salutogenic perspective since it focuses on positive factors that support health and well-being rather than risks and problems (Bhattacharya et al, 2020). PMH is based on the strengthening and development of the optimal functioning of the human being and represents a specific instance resulting from the interaction of several factors (Lluch, 2002;Roldán-Merino et al, 2017); therefore, it is essential to deal with adversity (Nogueira et al, 2022).…”