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Psychological distress and lifestyle of students

Implications for health promotion

Bibliographic Data

ID22945886
AuthorsChristine Deasy (0000-0003-3842-2260, University of Limerick, corresponding author), Barry Coughlan (0000-0003-4349-7646, University of Limerick), Julie Pironom (0009-0002-1229-6294, Université Clermont Auvergne), Didier Jourdan (0000-0001-9303-0847, University of Limerick), Patricia Mcnamara (0000-0002-3011-0177, University of Limerick), P M McNamara
Year2015
Volume30
Issue1
Pages77-87
Publication date2015-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/dau086
PMID25315646
OpenAlexW2096808756
LanguageEN
Citations received18
References cited32

Poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are major risk factors for chronic disease and premature mortality. These behaviours are of concern among higher education students and may be linked to psychological distress which is problematic particularly for students on programmes with practicum components such as nursing and teaching. Understanding how risk behaviours aggregate and relate to psychological distress and coping among this population is important for health promotion. This research examined, via a comprehensive survey undergraduate nursing/midwifery and teacher education students' (n = 1557) lifestyle behaviour (Lifestyle Behaviour Questionnaire), self-reported psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire) and coping processes (Ways of Coping Questionnaire). The results showed that health- risk behaviours were common, including alcohol consumption (93.2%), unhealthy diet (26.3%), physical inactivity (26%), tobacco smoking (17%), cannabis use (11.6%) and high levels of stress (41.9%). Students tended to cluster into two groups: those with risk behaviours (n = 733) and those with positive health behaviours (n = 379). The group with risk behaviours had high psychological distress and used mostly passive coping strategies such as escape avoidance. The potential impact on student health and academic achievement is of concern and suggests the need for comprehensive health promotion programmes to tackle multiple behaviours. As these students are the nurses and teachers of the future, their risk behaviours, elevated psychological distress and poor coping also raise concerns regarding their roles as future health educators/promoters. Attention to promotion of health and well-being among this population is essential.

Coping (psychology) · Distress · Environmental health · Health education · Health promotion · Population · Public health · Clinical Psychology · Health and Wellbeing Research · Health, psychology, and well-being · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health

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Unique citing works18
Citations per year1,8
Citation span2016 - 2026 (11)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 15
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