Citation

Hawley LD, MacDonald MG, Wallace EH, Smith J, Wummel B, Wren PA. J. Am. Coll. Health 2015; 64(3): 174-183.

Affiliation

Health Sciences and Master of Public Health Programs, Oakland University , Rochester , Minnesota.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2015.1085059

PMID

26629894

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A campus-wide assessment examined the physical and mental health status of a mid-size midwestern public university. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand and forty-nine students, faculty, and staff on a single college campus were assessed in March-April 2013.

METHODS: Participants completed an online survey with sections devoted to demographics, physical and mental health status, suicide knowledge and experiences.

RESULTS: This study captured broad physical and mental health indicators. Students, faculty, and staff in certain demographic groups were more likely to report significant problems associated with mental and physical health. Specifically, women, faculty and staff of color, and non-heterosexual persons reported worse health outcomes. Across eight mental health indicators, students reported consistently worse mental health than their faculty/staff counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS: This paper presents findings from a significant campus-wide physical and mental health surveillance initiative.

RESULTS indicate the need for targeted physical and mental health support and intervention among these demographic groups.

Language: en