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

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica Franzen

    (School of Health Sciences Geneva, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Avenue de Champel 47, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Françoise Jermann

    (Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Boulevard de la Cluse 51, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Paolo Ghisletta

    (Faculty of Psychology, University of Geneva, Boulevard du Pont-d’Arve 40, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
    Faculty of Psychology, Swiss Distance University Institute, 3900 Brig, Switzerland
    Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Serge Rudaz

    (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Guido Bondolfi

    (Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Boulevard de la Cluse 51, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Nguyen Toan Tran

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
    Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Franzen & Françoise Jermann & Paolo Ghisletta & Serge Rudaz & Guido Bondolfi & Nguyen Toan Tran, 2021. "Psychological Distress and Well-Being among Students of Health Disciplines: The Importance of Academic Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-9, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2151-:d:504018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhenzhen Qin & Yao Song, 2020. "The Sacred Power of Beauty: Examining the Perceptual Effect of Buddhist Symbols on Happiness and Life Satisfaction in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Georgios Papazisis & Panagiotis Nicolaou & Evangelia Tsiga & Theodora Christoforou & Despina Sapountzi‐Krepia, 2014. "Religious and spiritual beliefs, self‐esteem, anxiety, and depression among nursing students," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(2), pages 232-238, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lindsay Eastgate & Peter A. Creed & Michelle Hood & Andrea Bialocerkowski, 2023. "It Takes Work: How University Students Manage Role Boundaries when the Future is Calling," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 64(7), pages 1071-1088, November.
    2. Gülsen Erden & Asil Ali Özdoğru & Sami Çoksan & Hale Ögel-Balaban & Yakup Azak & İlkiz Altınoğlu-Dikmeer & Aysun Ergül-Topçu & Yeşim Yasak & Gözde Kıral-Uçar & Seda Oktay & Pelin Karaca-Dinç & Ezgi Di, 2022. "Social Contact, Academic Satisfaction, COVID-19 Knowledge, and Subjective Well-being Among Students at Turkish Universities: a Nine-University Sample," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(4), pages 2017-2039, August.
    3. Xinqiao Liu & Jingxuan Wang, 2024. "Depression, anxiety, and student satisfaction with university life among college students: a cross-lagged study," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Ya Wen & Huaruo Chen & Xindong Wei & Kai Li & Fei Liu & Xia Liu, 2022. "Examining Predictors and Outcomes of Decent Work among Chinese Female Pre-Service Primary School Teachers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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