Sense of coherence and hardiness as predictors of the mental health of college students

Int Q Community Health Educ. 2012;33(1):55-68. doi: 10.2190/IQ.33.1.e.

Abstract

Psychological distress has a deleterious impact on the mental health of college students. The purpose of this study was to specify a theoretical, sense of coherence, and hardiness-based regression model to predict the mental health of college students. The instruments employed to build the model included the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale K-6, the Sense of Coherence-29, and the College Student Hardiness Measure. Data were collected from a sample of college students (n = 220) attending a Midwestern university. Each of the theoretical predictors regressed on mental health was deemed significant. Collectively, the significant predictors produced an R2 adjusted value of 0.434 (p < 0.001), suggesting the final specified model explained 43.4% of the variance in mental health in the sample of participants. Qualitative cut-points were developed for each scale to aid in measurement of health promotion and education interventions designed to improve the mental health of college students.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Education / organization & administration
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health*
  • Resilience, Psychological*
  • Sense of Coherence*
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Students / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Universities*