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Trajectories of and Risk Factors for University Students' Emotional Well-Being and Distress across the Academic Year

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Title: Trajectories of and Risk Factors for University Students' Emotional Well-Being and Distress across the Academic Year
Language: English
Authors: Shichen Fang, Erin Barker, Gaya Arasaratnam, Victoria Lane, Marina M. Doucerain, Cat Tuong Nguyen, Roisin M. O'Connor, Alexandra Panaccio, Debora Rabinovich
Source: Canadian Journal of Higher Education. 2026 56(1):109-126.
Availability: Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education. P.O. Box 34091, RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5, Canada. Tel: 204-474-6404; Fax: 204-474-7561; e-mail: csshe@cc.umanitoba.ca; Web site: www.cjhe-rces.ca
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Mental Health, Undergraduate Students, At Risk Persons, Stress Variables, Well Being, Depression (Psychology), Anxiety, Experience, Age Differences, Gender Differences, Sexual Orientation, Minority Group Students, Social Status, Financial Problems, Predictor Variables, Foreign Countries, Affective Behavior, COVID-19, Pandemics, Victims
Geographic Terms: Canada
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
ISSN: 0316-1218
Abstract: In recent years, post-secondary students' mental health has become an important public health concern. Guided by the dual-factor model of mental health, this study examined average mental health fluctuations and associations with a comprehensive list of pre-existing risk factors in Canadian undergraduates (N = 1,004, 61% women, 36% visible minority) followed 16 times throughout the 2020/2021 academic year during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used piecewise latent growth curve modelling to specify patterns of emotional well-being (positive affect) and distress (depressive and anxiety symptoms) across the year. We also examined stressful life experience and sociodemographic risk factors as predictors of baseline levels of emotional well-being and distress in September. Mental health declined in the first half of each semester, remained stable until the end of each semester, and improved over the winter break. Mental health history, past and recent stressful life experiences, age, gender, sexual orientation, visible minority status, subjective social status, and current financial strain predicted baseline mental health at the start of the academic year. This study offers novel insights into patterns of change in students' mental health and associated risks important for campus programming and intervention efforts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1504413
Database: ERIC
FullText Links:
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  Data: Trajectories of and Risk Factors for University Students' Emotional Well-Being and Distress across the Academic Year
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shichen+Fang%22">Shichen Fang</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Erin+Barker%22">Erin Barker</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gaya+Arasaratnam%22">Gaya Arasaratnam</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Victoria+Lane%22">Victoria Lane</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Marina+M%2E+Doucerain%22">Marina M. Doucerain</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cat+Tuong+Nguyen%22">Cat Tuong Nguyen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Roisin+M%2E+O'Connor%22">Roisin M. O'Connor</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alexandra+Panaccio%22">Alexandra Panaccio</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Debora+Rabinovich%22">Debora Rabinovich</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Canadian+Journal+of+Higher+Education%22"><i>Canadian Journal of Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 56(1):109-126.
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  Data: Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education. P.O. Box 34091, RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5, Canada. Tel: 204-474-6404; Fax: 204-474-7561; e-mail: csshe@cc.umanitoba.ca; Web site: www.cjhe-rces.ca
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Canada%22">Canada</searchLink>
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: In recent years, post-secondary students' mental health has become an important public health concern. Guided by the dual-factor model of mental health, this study examined average mental health fluctuations and associations with a comprehensive list of pre-existing risk factors in Canadian undergraduates (N = 1,004, 61% women, 36% visible minority) followed 16 times throughout the 2020/2021 academic year during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used piecewise latent growth curve modelling to specify patterns of emotional well-being (positive affect) and distress (depressive and anxiety symptoms) across the year. We also examined stressful life experience and sociodemographic risk factors as predictors of baseline levels of emotional well-being and distress in September. Mental health declined in the first half of each semester, remained stable until the end of each semester, and improved over the winter break. Mental health history, past and recent stressful life experiences, age, gender, sexual orientation, visible minority status, subjective social status, and current financial strain predicted baseline mental health at the start of the academic year. This study offers novel insights into patterns of change in students' mental health and associated risks important for campus programming and intervention efforts.
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 18
        StartPage: 109
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Mental Health
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: At Risk Persons
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Stress Variables
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Well Being
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Depression (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Anxiety
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Age Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gender Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sexual Orientation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Minority Group Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Status
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Financial Problems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Predictor Variables
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Affective Behavior
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      – SubjectFull: COVID-19
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
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      – SubjectFull: Victims
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      – SubjectFull: Canada
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Positive and Negative Affect Schedule
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
        Type: general
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