Van Slyke, Ashley
(2021)
Exploring mental health literacy among undergraduate students.
Undergraduate Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Background: Society’s understanding of mental illness is integral to reducing stigma and
encouraging individuals to seek care. The purpose of this study is to investigate mental health
literacy in college students, explore the use of campus mental health service, and to examine
whether students’ mental health literacy differ in relation to individual characteristics.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional and descriptive approach to explore mental health
literacy and mental health service among undergraduate students. A sample of 277 undergraduate
students and 9 employees at the University Counseling Center at a large public university in the
Northeastern United States agreed to participate in the study and completed the study via the
Qualtrics survey software from Feb 2020 to March 2020. The study was approved by the
Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the large public university. Descriptive statistics, T-test, and
ANOVA test were used to analyze data.
Results: There were found to be significant relationships between mental health education, major,
gender and mental health literacy among undergraduate students. The study found that
undergraduate students have a relatively good mental health literacy. Results from the clinicians
at the counseling center showed high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality among
undergraduate college students, barriers of family and self-stigma, moderate knowledge of
resources on campus, and poor knowledge of resources off campus.
Discussion: There are a multitude of avenues through which mental health literacy of depression,
anxiety, and suicidality can be improved. To address individual behaviors and influences of the
microsystem, improved access to information and education should be considered.
Conclusion: The findings of this study show that undergraduate students at this university have a
relatively good mental health literacy, and thus, have an understanding of different mental
illnesses, reduced stigma and resources on campus and in the community.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
5 April 2021 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
28 October 2020 |
| Approval Date: |
5 April 2021 |
| Submission Date: |
20 November 2020 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
53 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
David C. Frederick Honors College
School of Nursing > Nursing |
| Degree: |
BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| Thesis Type: |
Undergraduate Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Mental health literacy, Randomized controlled trials, education, undergraduate students |
| Date Deposited: |
05 Apr 2021 17:49 |
| Last Modified: |
05 Apr 2021 17:49 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/39915 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}