Psychological Distress and Well-Being among Students of Health Disciplines: The Importance of Academic Satisfaction

Abstract

Background: Research on the mental health of students in health disciplines mainly focuses on psychological distress and nursing and medical students. This study aimed to investigate the psychological well-being and distress and related factors among undergraduate students training in eight different health-related tracks in Geneva, Switzerland. Methods: This cross-sectional study used established self-filled scales for anxiety, depression, stress, psychological well-being, and study satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analyses were applied. Results: In October 2019, out of 2835 invited students, 915 (32%) completed the survey. Lower academic satisfaction scores were strongly associated with depression (β = −0.26, p < 0.001), anxiety (β = −0.27, p < 0.001), and stress (β = −0.70, p < 0.001), while higher scores were associated with psychological well-being (β = 0.70, p < 0.001). Being female was strongly associated with anxiety and stress but not with depression or psychological well-being. Increased age was associated with enhanced psychological well-being. The nature of the academic training had a lesser impact on mental health and the academic year had none. Conclusion: Academic satisfaction strongly predicts depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological well-being. Training institutions should address the underlying factors that can improve students’ satisfaction with their studies while ensuring that they have access to psychosocial services that help them cope with mental distress and enhance their psychological well-being.

Prevalence and determinants of mental well-being and satisfaction with life among university students amidst COVID-19 pandemic

“…While determining good well-being, this study showed that the prevalence of good mental well-being found significantly associated with middle age people. In line with the present study another study among students reported that increased age was associated with enhanced psychological well-being (Franzen et al, 2021). A prior study among English and Scottish adolescent students showed no correlation between mental health and age (Clarke et al, 2011).…”

“…A prior study among English and Scottish adolescent students showed no correlation between mental health and age (Clarke et al, 2011). In a survey of students of health disciplines, increased age was found to have a positive association with psychological well-being (Franzen et al, 2021).…”

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on medical science students’ subjective well-being, psychological distress, and emotion regulation

“…Stressors such as presence in a new environment far away from the family, educational and financial problems, competition with other students, exams, future employment prospects, impaired decision-making, and attendance in extensive classes cause depression and anxiety among the students (6). Consequently, they suffer from psychological distress and have lower well-being and quality of life indices due to their inappropriate and stressful educational and occupational conditions (7).…”

Social Contact, Academic Satisfaction, COVID-19 Knowledge, and Subjective Well-being Among Students at Turkish Universities: a Nine-University Sample

“…For university students, academic satisfaction can be an important variable in terms of mental health as well as social contact. In the relevant literature, academic satisfaction is one of the factors that is related with the well-being of university students (Franzen et al, 2021 ; Gopalan et al, 2019 ; Jan, 2015 ; Sim & Lui, 2020 ; Tomyn, 2019 ). Lebanese university students’ satisfaction with e-learning during the pandemic had a negative relationship with their levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (Fawaz & Samaha, 2021 ).…”

“…Gopalan et al ( 2019 ) indicated a positive relationship between the self-efficacy of students and their academic satisfaction. Another study with medical students indicated that academic satisfaction is positively correlated with subjective well-being and negatively correlated with anxiety and depression (Franzen et al, 2021 ). During the quarantine that emerged with COVID-19, university students had to adapt to increased homework loads and long school hours spent in front of the computer (Hagedorn et al, 2021 ).…”