RT journal article
T1 Factors associated with high and low mental well-being in Spanish university students
A1 Navarra-Ventura, G.
A1 Riera-Serra, P.
A1 Roca, Miquel
A1 Gili, Margalinda
A1 García-Toro, Mauro
A1 Vilagut, Gemma
A1 Alayo, Itxaso
A1 Ballester, Laura
A1 Blasco, María Jesús
A1 Castellví, Pere
A1 Colom, Joan
A1 Casajuana, Cristina
A1 Gabilondo, Andrea
A1 Lagares, Carolina
A1 Almenara Barrios, José
A1 Miranda-Mendizabal, Andrea
A1 Mortier, Philippe
A1 Piqueras, José Antonio
A1 Soto-Sanz, Victoria
A1 Alonso, Jordi
A2 BiomedicinaBiotecnología y Salud Pública
K1 Health survey
K1 Positive mental health
K1 Subjective well-being
K1 SWEMWBS
K1 University students
K1 WMH-ICS
AB Background: Previous studies conducted in various nationally representative samples of the general population show that positive mental health is related to social prosperity. However, specific studies in university populations are scarce. In this study, we set out to explore factors associated with mental well-being (MWB) in a representative sample of first-year university students in Spain. Methods: MWB was assessed with the short version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Multinomial logistic regressions were performed to explore the association between different blocks of factors, including relational, adversity, stress, lifestyle, spiritual, health, and self-perceived health variables with high and low MWB, controlling for sociodemographic and university-related variables. Results: Data from 2082 students (18.6 ± 1.2 years; 56.6 % females) were analysed. Being male, being born in a foreign country, “high” self-perceived support, and “high” self-perceived mental health increased the odds of high MWB. Growing up in the suburbs, stressful experiences, and anxiety disorders reduced the odds of high MWB. Mood and anxiety disorders increased the odds of low MWB. “Middle” self-perceived support, sleeping ≥8 h per day, and “high” self-perceived mental health reduced the odds of low MWB. Limitations: The cross-sectional design precludes establishing causal relationships. Data were collected in the 2014–15 academic year using self-reported online surveys. Conclusion: The factors associated with high and low MWB do not always mirror each other, so specific plans are needed to successfully address each of the two poles. Interventions and policies targeting these factors for health promotion and disease prevention would improve the MWB of university students.
PB Elsevier B.V.
SN 1573-2517
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/33767
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/33767
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 13-nov-2026