Healthy habits, healthy minds: An exploration of lifestyle behaviors and mental health among college students.
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| Title: | Healthy habits, healthy minds: An exploration of lifestyle behaviors and mental health among college students. |
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| Authors: | Long, Larry D. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of American College Health. May2026, Vol. 74 Issue 5, p1355-1366. 12p. |
| Subjects: | Competency assessment (Law), Habit, Lifestyles, Cross-sectional method, Secondary analysis, Gender identity, Undergraduates, Universities & colleges, Questionnaires, Multiple regression analysis, Electronic cigarettes, Loneliness, Disease prevalence, Anxiety, Surveys, Financial stress, Health behavior, Sleep, Medical schools, Psychology of college students, Student attitudes, Data analysis software, Cannabis (Genus), Sexual minorities, Physical activity, Mental depression |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | Objective: To examine the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and anxiety and depression among college students, accounting for demographic, economic, and social factors. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 12,371) attending doctoral universities in the United States who completed the 2021–2022 Healthy Minds Study. Methods: A cross-sectional study examining physical activity, work and study patterns, sleep, substance use, and contextual factors, including identity variables, financial stress, belonging, loneliness, and religiosity. Anxiety and depression were measured using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9, respectively. Associations were assessed using multiple linear regression models. Results: Approximately 38.2% of students screened positive for anxiety, and 44.2% for depression. Sleep was the strongest behavioral correlate. Physical activity showed protective effects, while e-cigarette and cannabis use were associated with poorer outcomes. Loneliness, belonging, and financial stress were strong contextual correlates. Conclusions: Lifestyle and contextual factors both shape student mental health, underscoring the value of holistic approaches in research and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of American College Health is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Objective: To examine the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and anxiety and depression among college students, accounting for demographic, economic, and social factors. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 12,371) attending doctoral universities in the United States who completed the 2021–2022 Healthy Minds Study. Methods: A cross-sectional study examining physical activity, work and study patterns, sleep, substance use, and contextual factors, including identity variables, financial stress, belonging, loneliness, and religiosity. Anxiety and depression were measured using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9, respectively. Associations were assessed using multiple linear regression models. Results: Approximately 38.2% of students screened positive for anxiety, and 44.2% for depression. Sleep was the strongest behavioral correlate. Physical activity showed protective effects, while e-cigarette and cannabis use were associated with poorer outcomes. Loneliness, belonging, and financial stress were strong contextual correlates. Conclusions: Lifestyle and contextual factors both shape student mental health, underscoring the value of holistic approaches in research and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 07448481 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/07448481.2025.2574940 |
