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Heavy alcohol drinking is a major, preventable problem that adversely impacts the physical and mental health of US young adults. Studies seeking drinking risk factors typically focus on young adults who enrolled in 4-year residential college programs (4YCP) even though most high school graduates join the workforce, military, or community colleges. We examined 106 of these understudied young adults (USYA) and 453 4YCPs from the National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA) by longitudinally following their drinking patterns for 8 years from adolescence to young adulthood. All participants were no-to-low drinkers during high school. Whereas 4YCP individuals were more likely to initiate heavy drinking during college years, USYA participants did so later. Using mental health metrics recorded during high school, machine learning forecasted individual-level risk for initiating heavy drinking after leaving high school. The risk factors differed between demographically matched USYA and 4YCP individuals and between sexes. Predictors for USYA drinkers were sexual abuse, physical abuse for girls, and extraversion for boys, whereas 4YCP drinkers were predicted by the ability to recognize facial emotion and, for boys, greater openness. Thus, alcohol prevention programs need to give special consideration to those joining the workforce, military, or community colleges, who make up the majority of this age group.

Abstract: Great effort has been invested in increasing STEM achievement among students, but feelings of low status among underrepresented or otherwise vulnerable students may be creating additional challenges. The present study assessed how perceptions of social status within the classroom—termed subjective social status—aligned with objective course performance and differed by sex, first-generation status, work status, and race/ethnicity among 713 students enrolled across three introductory statistics classes. Findings indicated that final exam score was moderately related to ratings of subjective social status, suggesting that factors besides objective course performance may influence classroom subjective social status. When asked to explain how they evaluated their standing in the course, students reported five main themes, including both academic achievement with respect to exam scores and their understanding of course content. When examining differences by status-based identities in subjective social status, we found that female and first-generation students had lower subjective social status compared to their male and continuing-generation peers, although results were less robust for first-generation status. Likewise, working students reported lower subjective social status relative to non-working students, despite showing no difference in final exam score. In contrast, although Asian/Asian American students outperformed Latine students, there were no differences in reports of subjective social status between Asian/Asian American, Latine, and white students. Taken together, results suggest that factors beyond course performance may relate to students’ subjective social status, and subjective social status may contribute to disparities in academic performance, especially by sex and work status.

Given the theorized importance of college belonging for academic success, we conducted a scoping review of studies examining relationships between sense of belonging and academic achievement and persistence for postsecondary students. In our scoping review, we included 69 reports (78 unique samples) published between 2003 and 2023. We observed an unexpected level of heterogeneity among the associations between belonging and academic outcomes (GPA, persistence, and intent to persist); most associations were positive but small with several small, negative associations. Across a few studies, there was a pattern of larger associations between belonging and academic achievement for marginalized college students, such as racially/ethnically minoritized students (compared to students in the racial majority) or women (compared to men) in historically exclusionary settings such as STEM disciplines. We identified gaps in the literature reflecting underreporting of student identities, including but not limited to gender identity, sexual identity, social class, religious identity, disability status, and first-generation status, in sample characteristics and a lack of attention to contextual factors, such as the type of institution (e.g., predominantly White institutions, community colleges, minority-serving institutions). In all, our findings provide an updated mapping of the literature, pointing to a much-needed refinement for how individual and institutional factors may moderate the associations between belonging and academic outcomes in postsecondary settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) reduces anxiety among undergraduate students; however, there is limited evidence demonstrating mechanistic underpinnings. Theoretical models implicate cognitive self-regulation as a mechanism. This study explored whether an adapted MBSR embedded in a college course reduced anxiety and if self-regulation mediated any intervention effects. Participants: 144 undergraduate students participated in the study; 34 completed a MBSR course and 110 served as a matched control group. Methods: Mindfulness, self-regulation, and anxiety were measured at pre-MBSR, post-MBSR, and 1-month follow-up. Results: Repeated-measure ANOVAs indicated significant effects of MBSR for self-regulation and anxiety. Longitudinal mediation models indicated significant mediation effects of self-regulation on anxiety at post-intervention and 1-month follow-up. Conclusions: MBSR can be implemented within a college course to indirectly affect anxiety mechanistically via self-regulation. Given increasing rates of anxiety in college students and reduced capacity for counseling centers to meet need, MBSR holds promise for future clinical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study assessed undergraduates' sleep in Hawaiʻi during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether demographic characteristics, health locus of control, substance use and campus features related to sleep outcomes. Implications are considered for programs to support students' sleep and health during pandemic conditions. Participants: About 1,288 undergraduate students from six universities in Hawai'i. Methods: Surveys assessing sleep, emotional wellbeing, ethnicity, body mass index, locus of health control, and substance use. Results: Students' reported increased sleep time but decreased sleep quality during the pandemic. Sleep disruption related to anxiety, depression, ethnicity, substance use, BMI, health locus of control, class rank, and whether students lived at home. All campuses were associated with disrupted sleep, regardless of size, location, religious affiliation, term structure, or method of instruction. Conclusions: In response to public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, all Hawaiʻi universities should screen students for sleep disruption, emotional adjustment, social isolation and substance misuse. Programs to promote sleep and behavioral health appear particularly warranted for graduating seniors, Pacific Islanders, students with high BMI, and students who commute to college. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the effects of a university's health vaccination initiative in increasing vaccination rates among international students/scholars in the United States. Methods: The vaccination initiative included: increasing vaccination opportunities by holding a pre-registration event, providing vaccine recommendations from healthcare professionals including a bilingual health interpreter, implementing campus-based marketing strategies, sending reminders using social media, and offering free and affordable vaccines. Results: Total 575 international students/scholars attended from 2016 to 2019 (N = 118, 163, 193, and 101, respectively), showing an increase compared to 2015. The most common vaccines administered were for influenza, human papillomavirus (HPV), tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap), and Hepatitis A. Slightly less than one-quarter of participants received three or more vaccines. More women than men received HPV vaccine. Participants shared they would not have been vaccinated without this initiative and wished for more vaccination events. Conclusions: Future efforts are needed to implement this initiative across universities to further evaluate its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Poorer sleep is associated with poorer bone health among older adults but the role of sleep in bone health during younger adulthood is understudied. In this observational study, the averages and variability in total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), and sleep midpoint of university students were examined in relation to levels of bone turnover markers (BTMs) and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and femur. A sample of healthy, university students (N = 59, aged 18–25 years, 51.8% female, body mass index <30 kg/m2), wore a wrist actigraph for 7 days, completed a dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan, and underwent blood sampling to assess serum BTM concentrations of osteocalcin (OC) and N‐terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen. A sub‐sample (n = 14) completed a one‐year follow‐up. Multiple regression models examined the associations between each sleep metric and bone health outcome at baseline and 1‐year follow‐up. At baseline, greater variability in sleep midpoint was cross‐sectionally associated with greater OC (β = 0.21, p = 0.042). In the exploratory, follow‐up sub‐sample, lower average TST (β = −0.66, p = 0.013) and SE (β = −0.68, p = 0.01) at baseline were associated with greater increases in OC at follow‐up. Greater delays in mean sleep midpoint over follow‐up were significantly associated with decreases in lumbar spine BMD (β = −0.49, p = 0.03). In a sample of young adults, variable sleep schedules were associated with greater bone turnover suggesting the potential importance of regular sleep for optimising bone health into early adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through a phenomenological framework, college students formerly incarcerated were studied to examine their experiences, perceptions, and challenges they encountered as they attempted to complete their college degree. Results uncovered seven themes: Education as survival, education as growth and development, feeling disrespected, education for career development, college readiness, navigating the culture of higher education, and accepting the challenges in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research identified college students' definitions of independence as well as topics they wish parents had discussed with them prior to college. Applying the theory of emerging adulthood to understand college students' construal of independence, participants included 117 emerging adults, aged 18–25. Utilizing inductive coding to categorize participants' open-ended responses from an online questionnaire, most emerging adults conceptualized independence in terms of self-reliance or freedom, and this was examined through the lens of social construction theory. The majority reported they felt their parents communicated what was necessary regarding independence with them before college. For those who did not, however, life skills and expectations were two of the topics students most wished parents would have communicated prior to college. Implications and suggestions are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We adapted the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) to be more inclusive of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people and undertook preliminary validation of the measure. We added gender-neutral language, assault types thought to be more common and more emotionally impactful among these individuals, and coercion tactics specific to transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expensive people. We piloted this Gender-Inclusive SES (GI-SES) with an online survey of transgender and gender-expansive undergraduates who experienced campus sexual assault. We assessed acceptability via rapid qualitative analysis of feedback. We gathered preliminary evidence of validity by calculating the agreement in assault type and coercion tactic between open-ended descriptions of the assault and the GI-SES response, as well as by testing four hypotheses about the relative frequency and severity of different types of assaults within the sample. Three hundred eighty-eight transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expensive students completed the survey. Qualitative responses indicated that participants felt the GI-SES was inclusive and respectful. Results were partially consistent with hypotheses supporting validity, and there was 90.9% agreement in assault type and 85.9% agreement in coercion tactics between GI-SES responses and written narratives. The GI-SES provides researchers, clinicians, and service providers with a tool, preliminarily validated with a trans and gender-diverse college sample, to capture the unique experiences of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expensive sexual assault survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The US Campus SaVE Act mandates that higher education institutions receiving federal funds offer sexual assault (SA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention programming to students. Yet, research on effects of campus IPV prevention programs has lagged behind research on campus SA prevention. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of higher-quality research examining effects of campus IPV prevention programs on psychological and physical IPV outcomes. Importantly, our meta-analysis is the first to synthesize research evaluating effects of campus IPV prevention programs on perpetration and victimization. Results: Fourteen studies (N = 3298) met inclusion criteria. Programs had a significant, favorable effect on IPV knowledge, but no significant effect on attitudes, psychological victimization, psychological perpetration, physical victimization, or physical perpetration. Moderator analyses were not possible due to the small number of studies reporting each outcome. Conclusions: It is vital that researchers devote increased attention to evaluating effects of campus IPV prevention programs. Such research should identify moderators of program effects that may be targeted for program improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opioid misuse and risk of death due to overdose are critical public health issues and young adults are at risk. College campus communities are ideal settings for the prevention of opioid misuse among young adults due to high enrollment rates, the diversity and availability of resources within the campus community, and the range of risk and protective factors that can be targeted. This practitioner narrative describes a grant-funded three-year opioid misuse prevention project implemented on a U.S. college campus. In keeping with the focus of the grant, the project involved a range of universal prevention activities implemented across the campus community. Lessons learned regarding factors that facilitated implementation in this community context are discussed and may be useful for others interested in implementing prevention activities to help prevent opioid misuse among young adults in their campus communities. Additionally, a reflection on the project and the efficacy of universal prevention to prevent opioid misuse among college students are offered for consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Considerable scholarly attention has been devoted to how gender, race and various other demographic factors shape the odds of majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. Such work has identified sizable disparities in access to STEM fields across various dimensions. In turn, these empirical findings have informed productive discussions about the social and institutional mechanisms that prevent marginalised groups from entering STEM, along with the potential strategies that could be used at multiple levels (e.g., government and institutional) to address them. Despite the increasing size of this literature, little energy has been devoted to examining the extent to which uptake of transfer pathways is associated with the odds of eventually majoring in a STEM field. Does transfer divert students away from STEM fields? Does it primarily function as an ‘on‐ramp’ for students from other disciplines to enter STEM? We find that students who travel transfer pathways into the university sector are less likely to major in STEM, but those that travel transfer pathways into the community college sector are more likely to major in STEM. We identify some of the mechanisms that could be contributing to these trends and highlight some prospective strategies for addressing the potential structural barriers faced by students wishing to enter STEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated intimate partner violence victimization patterns in two-year and four-year college students, examining heavy episodic drinking as a risk factor. Using Bayesian analysis to assess similarities, Hypothesis 1 found moderate evidence for no reliable differences in dating victimization between groups. Hypothesis 2 indicated that heavy episodic drinking reliably predicted intimate partner violence in both college types. Contrary to Hypothesis 3, the relationship strength between heavy episodic drinking and intimate partner violence did not differ between campus types. These results suggest consistent intimate partner violence patterns across college types, emphasizing the importance of addressing heavy episodic drinking in prevention efforts for both groups. The study contributes valuable insights to understanding and mitigating intimate partner violence risks in diverse college settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A small percentage of universities and colleges conducted mass SARS-CoV-2 testing. However, universal testing is resource-intensive, strains national testing capacity, and false negative tests can encourage unsafe behaviors. Participants: A large urban university campus. Methods: Virus control centered on three pillars: mitigation, containment, and communication, with testing of symptomatic and a random subset of asymptomatic students. Results: Random surveillance testing demonstrated a prevalence among asymptomatic students of 0.4% throughout the term. There were two surges in cases that were contained by enhanced mitigation and communication combined with targeted testing. Cumulative cases totaled 445 for the term, most resulting from unsafe undergraduate student behavior and among students living off-campus. A case rate of 232/10,000 undergraduates equaled or surpassed several peer institutions that conducted mass testing. Conclusions: An emphasis on behavioral mitigation and communication can control virus transmission on a large urban campus combined with a limited and targeted testing strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Alcohol consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic have varied notably. Participants: We examined the acute impact of the pandemic on alcohol use disorder (AUD) in a generalizable sample of college students who were surveyed pre-pandemic and re-surveyed in May 2020. Method: Items assessed pre-pandemic included DSM-5 AUD and mental health symptoms. A COVID-19 impacts questionnaire was administered, and alcohol and mental health items re-assessed. Results: AUD symptoms decreased from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic, demonstrating a change in trajectory compared to prior cohorts. Students with persistent AUD reported greater concurrent symptoms of PTSD, depression, and alcohol consumption than those with remitted AUD (ps ≤.02), but not increased COVID-19 impact. Persistent AUD status was predicted by higher sensation seeking and alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Students with concurrent mental health problems are at continued risk for persistent AUD. Findings highlight the impact of the college environment and social context for drinking on AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Young adults of age 18–29 years old account for the most COVID-19 cases in the US, and ethnic groups were affected disproportionately. Correctly wearing a face mask remains a critical intervention for COVID-19 mitigation. The study aimed to examine how well Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) residents adhered to mask wearing during the pandemic. Methods: We conducted an observational study on an urban HBCU campus and the neighborhoods in Maryland for 13 weeks in spring 2021. Results: Of 1926 (1126 on campus; 800 off campus) persons observed, 89.8% wore masks, with 83.5% covering their mouths and noses. The HBCU campus showed better mask adherence than neighborhoods (92.0% vs. 86.7%). The most common improper mask wearing was nose out, followed by only-on-chin. Cloth and surgical masks were worn the most. Conclusion: The HBCU campus and neighborhood settings presented a high rate of facemask use during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined acculturation with positive alcohol expectancies (PAE) and alcohol use intentions among college-bound Latinas using a bidimensional (ie U.S. acculturation/enculturation) and bidomain (ie behaviors/values) acculturation framework. Participants: A total of 298 Latina young adults between 18 and 20 years old were included in this analysis. Methods: Data were collected the summer before participants began college for the first time. We used an online survey to assess acculturation, PAE, and alcohol use expectancies. Results: Path analyses showed that U.S. acculturation values were related to more PAE and alcohol use intentions. U.S. acculturation behaviors were related to more alcohol use intentions, and the pathway was moderated by PAE. There was also an interaction between U.S. acculturation and enculturation behaviors predicting alcohol use intentions. Conclusion: This study sheds light on how acculturating Latina young women think about alcohol use prior to beginning college, which is an opportune window for targeted prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a vaccination education module to improve vaccine expectations and behaviors among college freshmen. Participants: The participants were 177 college freshmen at one private Utah university. Participants were eligible for this study if admitted as new freshmen during the 2019–2020 school year. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional pre- and post-education evaluation assessing vaccine expectations and behaviors using Likert-type and open-ended questions. Results: After completing the vaccination education module, participants' vaccine expectations and behavioral intentions improved. Participants reported they were more likely to be up-to-date on personal vaccines and more likely to expect other students to be up-to-date on their vaccinations. Participants were more likely to ask other students to vaccinate and were also more likely to ask their family members to be vaccinated. Conclusions: This online vaccination education module effectively improved participants' vaccine expectations and behavioral intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the frequency of preventative COVID-19 behaviors and vaccination willingness among United States (US) college and university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Participants (N = 653) were ≥18 years old and students at institutions for higher education in the US in March 2020. Methods: Students self-reported preventative behaviors, willingness to be vaccinated, and social contact patterns during four waves of online surveys from May-August 2020. Results: Student engagement in preventative behaviors was generally high. The majority of students intended to be vaccinated (81.5%). Overall, there were no significant differences in the proportion adopting preventative behaviors or in willingness to be vaccinated by sex or geographic location. The most common reason for willingness to get vaccinated was wanting to contribute to ending COVID-19 outbreaks (44.7%). Conclusions: Early in the pandemic, college students primarily reported willingness to vaccinate and adherence to preventative behaviors. Outreach strategies are needed to continue this momentum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study sought to understand how the pandemic impacted mental and physical health behaviors in University students. Methods: Undergraduate and graduate students were asked to answer questions on depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and physical activity "prior to" and "during" the shutdown. Results: 457/960 (47.6%) completed the entire survey. Paired samples t-tests showed significant change in mental and physical health behaviors over time. Hierarchical regression models indicated that negative experiences during the shutdown were associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality (all p's <.001), but not time spent exercising or sedentary behavior. In addition, positive experiences during the shutdown acted as a buffer. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic shutdown negatively impacted University students. Significant mental and physical health consequences were observed. These effects may linger long past the re-opening of society, and it may be prudent to prepare for additional demand on campus resources. IMPLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTION SUMMARY: Students in undergraduate and graduate programs experience daily stress related to finances, workload, and time management, as well as the entry into emerging adulthood. This period of transition and its corresponding stressors are especially concerning when looking at the impact of a global pandemic on public health. The present study substantiates previous research concluding that college student health negatively changed during COVID-19 and extends it to include graduate students and a more extensive view of health behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States has widely experimented with merit-based financial aid to make college more accessible and affordable for its youth. Varying in design and benefits, these state-run programs subsidize college costs for academically meritorious high-school graduates. While broadly linked to higher college attendance the distribution of aid benefits depends critically on the eligibility criteria. States often make post-adoption changes to merit requirements to lower program costs, but little is known about their impact on youth's college decisions. This paper evaluates the effects of such eligibility revisions using West Virginia's PROMISE scholarship, which, unlike its peers, frequently hardened merit rules post-inception. We leverage the discontinuities in the timing of the scholarship's adoption and its successive modifications to estimate the policy-induced changes in students' college choice. We use two robust inference models – difference-in-difference and synthetic control, on institution-level enrollment data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems (IPEDS). We estimate a 6.5% growth in college enrollments immediately following PROMISE that fades rapidly once aid eligibility narrows. We find that this initial enrollment jump is attributable to an aid-induced improvement in the average youth's college readiness which is confined to the high achievers after the program scope narrows. Additionally, enrollments shift from 4-year to 2-year colleges post eligibility revisions. Our results show that the stiffer criteria redirect the aid benefits toward youth with already better access to college. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Examine the predictors of food security and perceived stress among international students. Design: Cross-sectional Design. Settings: A public university in the Southwest United States. Subjects: Sample size of Seventy-three participants (≥18 years). Measures: Self-report measures of food insecurity and perceived stress. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Adult Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM) to assess food security status, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) questionnaire to evaluate stress levels. Analysis: Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of food security and perceived stress. Results: Duration of stay in the U.S. was a predictor of food security status, while gender was a predictor of perceived stress. International students in the U.S. for less than a year had a lower chance of being food secure [OR (95% CI) = 0.22 (0.05 - 0.74)]. Female international students had a lower chance of experiencing low perceived stress [OR (95% CI) = 0.07 (0.00 - 0.51)]. Conclusion: In supporting international students, targeted nutrition and stress management interventions should be emphasized, particularly for females and those who recently moved to the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify relationships between food choice motivators (FCM) and food security in university students, a questionnaire assessing food security and FCM was distributed in Winter 2020 to 10,000 university students (1,535 responses; 1,408 included in demographic analysis, 1,189 included in other analyses). Chi-square test of independence, logistic and linear regressions assessed associations among food security, FCM, and demographics. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) determined factors of FCM. Kendall's tau assessed association between FCM and food insecurity. EFA identified three factors of FCM: (1) Hedonics, (2) Constraints, and (3) Nutrition Knowledge. Food insecurity was associated with Hedonics, Constraints, and other demographics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjective: Examine the theoretical impact of reallocating time between self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), recreational screen time, and sleep on psychological distress and mental wellbeing among post-secondary students. Participants: 24,742 post-secondary students (Mage=24.3 ± 7.72 SD years; 66.4% women) from Cycle 1 of the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey. Methods: Cross-sectional isotemporal substitution modeling. Results: Replacing 20 min of screen time with either sleep or MVPA was associated with lower psychological distress, greater mental wellbeing, lower odds of reporting mild-to-severe psychological distress and low mental wellbeing, except for reallocating screen time to sleep among students who exceed the sleep guideline recommendations. Reallocating time between sleep and MVPA revealed noteworthy patterns: replacing sleep with MVPA was associated with greater mental wellbeing but not lower psychological distress. Conclusions: Findings highlight the potential mental health benefits of replacing screen time with sleep or MVPA as an integrative whole day approach to promote campus wellness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjective: Negative and positive urgency are risk factors for alcohol escalation during college, partly through increasing motives for alcohol use, which then contribute to subsequent drinking. Research has focused on the causal direction from trait to motives to alcohol consumption. The current study conducted an initial test of how alcohol use might drive changes in urgency, and subsequent changes in motives over the first year of college. Participants: 418 first-year college students (Mage = 18.16, 73.7% female, 86.5% White) were sampled at three timepoints. Methods: Mediation models were used to test hypotheses. Results: Alcohol use at baseline predicted increased enhancement motives through increased positive urgency (B = .0028, 95% CI [.0000, .0007]). Alcohol use at baseline did not predict coping motives through changes in negative urgency (B = .0002, 95% CI [-0.0020, .0030]). Conclusions: Changes in positive urgency and enhancement motives secondary to alcohol use appear to occur early in one’s drinking history, making them prime targets for early prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A negative correlation between physical exercise and depressive mood, with physical exercise significantly predicting college students' depressive mood. Additionally, physical exercise was found to positively predict self-esteem and positive psychological capital, both of which are negatively predictive of depressive mood. Self-esteem and positive psychological capital were identified as significant mediators between physical exercise and depressive mood, with three mediating paths: physical exercise, self-esteem, and depressed mood (Path 1), exhibited an indirect effect of 0.017, with the bootstrap 95% confidence interval excluding 0 (LLCI = −0.051, ULCI = −0.004) and accounting for 8.30% of the total effect. Physical exercise, positive psychological capital, and depression emotion (Path 2), had an indirect effect of 0.049, with the bootstrap 95% confidence interval also not containing 0 (LLCI = −0.088, ULCI = −0.011) and contributing to 23.90% of the total effect. Physical exercise, self-esteem, positive psychological capital, depressed mood (Path 3), demonstrated an indirect effect of 0.006, with the bootstrap 95% confidence interval excluding 0 (LLCI = −0.011, ULCI = −0.001) and representing 2.90% of the total effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the residential housing sector, energy conservation issues may arise in the relationship between landlords and renters (a.k.a. tenants) due to principal-agent and information problems. An example is the split incentive, where one party makes the energy efficiency decisions while the other pays the energy bill. Herein, we investigate whether the landlord and renter split incentive problem may be more likely and more challenging for college student renters than those who are not college students. This may occur from landlords perceiving that college renters lack sufficient demand for energy efficient improvements. There is a lack of studies regarding the possibility that college renters may face greater exposure to the split incentive problem. We surveyed landlords to better understand their prior energy efficiency investment decisions and used a contingent valuation question to further investigate their choices for a hypothetical return on investment scenario. The landlords had various mixes of college students and non-students in their properties. Landlords renting one single-family property exclusively to college students had, on average, completed fewer major upgrades to their rental properties and were less likely to invest in a hypothetical insulation upgrade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health problems are learning problems. Students seeking services at campus counseling centers are at increased risk of attrition. If the retention rate of college students seeking counseling center services is close to the retention rate of the overall student population, this is evidence of a significant positive effect for counseling services. If counseling center clients are retained at a higher rate than the overall campus population, this is evidence of a very large positive effect. A literature review identified five longitudinal studies that found that students seeking services at the campus counseling center had retention rates significantly higher than an appropriate control group. In addition, counseling center surveys consistently find that about two thirds of their clients report that counseling services helped them stay in school. Collectively, this data provides strong evidence that counseling services have a significant positive effect on retention, and should be included on lists of high impact practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe issue of substance use disorders among college students is a growing problem that has been widely studied and reported on in recent years. However, the experiences of black college students in recovery have been largely underrepresented. Although white college students tend to have higher rates of substance use, black college students face unique challenges in accessing resources that support recovery from substance use disorders. This article will highlight the experiences of black college students in recovery, the barriers they face, the importance of collegiate recovery community programs in addressing these barriers, and the need for more programs that cater to these experiences. Through an exploration of literature and current efforts, this article aims to emphasize the significance of collegiate recovery among black college students and a need for the implementation of culturally sensitive and responsive programs at historically black colleges and universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of strategic planning's role in enhancing higher education institutions' sense of strategic direction and outlining measurable goals. The study particularly reflects the practical experience of setting up a strategic plan within a community college at a Saudi Arabian university, providing academic insight into implementing that plan. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the University's strategic plan implementation required conducting six unstructured interviews and examining a University document. A university can develop a programmatic framework within which to define new directions and programmes and evaluate its own capabilities against those of competing universities. A strategic planning framework can help universities and their colleges identify and follow a five-stage practical planning process. The authors emphasise the importance of actively involving stakeholders in decision-making while developing a strategic plan. This study may serve as a catalyst for further research on strategic planning at other universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emerging adulthood is a transitory period in which disordered eating (DE) manifests; collecting data on the prevalence of DE among this population as well as demographic and behavioral correlates are important public health goals. Methods: Data from an annual survey of undergraduate students at a large state university from 2019 to 2022 were analyzed, allowing researchers to compare prevalence and correlates before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic using two brief screeners: the SCOFF and Eating Disorder Screener for Primary Care (ESP). We hypothesized that rates of DE would be greater after the onset of COVID-19 as compared to before. We also hypothesized that those identifying as women, reporting higher alcohol or drug use, and contemplating suicide would have greater odds of reporting symptoms consistent with DE. Results: DE was significantly lower in pre-pandemic years compared to pandemic years: ESP pre = 38.01%(n = 704), pandemic = 48.79%(n = 645), p < 0.001; SCOFF pre = 22.82%(n = 422), pandemic = 31.46%(n = 414), p < 0.001. Logistic regressions showed women and students who contemplated suicide reported significantly greater DE, regardless of screener or time period. Inconsistent relationships were found between DE and current substance use. Conclusion: These findings may inform targeted interventions for those most vulnerable to disordered eating. Plain English Summary: It is important to track the rates of disordered eating (DE) in vulnerable populations like emerging adults (those who are between the ages of 18 and 25). Many emerging adults attend college, and during this time DE may occur. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to situations, like being isolated from friends and family, that we assume could increase DE. To present data on the rates of DE before and after the start of COVID-19, researchers collected data on whether college students engaged in DE two years before the start of COVID-19 (2019, 2020) and two after COVID-19 (2021, 2022). They considered whether characteristics of the student, like whether they were a man or woman or their race, were related to DE. DE increased significantly after COVID-19. Using one questionnaire, DE was about 38% before COVID-19 and increased to nearly 50% after COVID-19. Across all four years, women and students who thought about suicide were more likely to report DE. It is important to direct resources to students who are experiencing DE – which we now know could be as many as 50%. DE contributes to health problems and can worsen over time, leading to a life-threatening eating disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activism is a strong focus at many college campuses, yet few studies have explored how courses engage students in thinking about and implementing effective communication tools for collective action. This study analyzed college students' espoused theories and engagement with collective action. Findings revealed that they valued communication tools connected with their purposes/goals and target audiences. These espoused theories did not align with their approaches for their own campaigns. They prioritized ease and comfort in their campaign decisions. Findings offer educators opportunities to better support students' mindsets, processes, and approaches to engage in collective action and implement espoused values for effecting change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: College is a critical life stage for alcohol-related harms to others (AHTOs), gender, and sexual identity. We tested associations between inclusively-defined gender and sexual identities (separately) and AHTOs among college students. Methods: The Healthy Minds Study (n = 8,308) provided data about three AHTOs: (1) babysitting a drunk student, (2) alcohol-related unwanted sexual advance, and (3) alcohol-related sexual assault. Independent variables included gender and sexual identity. Results: One in four students (25.5%) reported babysitting, 6.2% reported unwanted advances, and 1.2% reported sexual assaults. Compared to cisgender males, cisgender females had higher odds of reporting babysitting (aOR = 1.36, p < 0.001) and unwanted advances (aOR = 2.59, p < 0.001); trans masculine students had higher odds of reporting sexual assaults (aOR = 4.49, p = 0.04). Conclusions: AHTOs are prevalent on college campuses, and cisgender female and trans masculine students have higher odds of experiencing them. Alcohol interventions may protect cisgender female and gender minority students from the drinkers around them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify (1) university educators' perceptions of academic adjustments (AA), and (2) if teaching experience correlated with AA perceptions following concussion. Participants: Two hundred twenty educators. Methods: University educators were invited to complete a survey containing four subsections; this manuscript focuses on AA following concussion. Objective 1 was descriptive; we conducted spearman's rho correlations between years of teaching experience and AA perceptions to address objective 2. Results: Educators were moderately familiar with AA but were not confident in their knowledge about AA following concussion. Participants who provided AA following concussion most often allowed excused absences and extra time for exams/assignments. There were no significant relationships between teaching experience and perceptions of AA. Conclusions: University educators largely feel unprepared to provide or recommend AA following concussion but had favorable AA perceptions following concussion. Standardized policies or referral sites within the university system may be warranted to improve post-concussion AA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* OBJECTIVE: To estimate anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) return-to-play (RTP) factors and proportions across all National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) sports. * DESIGN: Systematic review with prognosis and etiology components. * LITERATURE SEARCH: Two independent reviewers searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases using terms related to RTP, ACLR, and NCAA for articles published up to June 30, 2023. * STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Articles were included if RTP proportions or factors affecting RTP were reported and if the study population included NCAA collegiate athletes recovering from an ACLR. * DATA SYNTHESIS: The proportion represents the total number of athletes who returned to play after ACLR over the total number of ACLR athletes from each cohort. The cumulative proportion represents the aggregated total from each included study. When eligibility information was available (ie, athletes in their final year of eligibility), RTP proportions were ad- justed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the study quality and scored by 2 raters. * RESULTS: Nine studies were included. RTP criteria varied across the studies. Proportions of RTP ranged from 69% to 92%, with a cumulative RTP proportion after ACLR of 84% (628/745). The primary factors associated with the proportion of RTP were scholarship status, competitive eligibility remaining, depth chart position, and surgical graft type. * CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative proportion of RTP was 84% and was associated with patient-specific and operative factors. Psychological and functional factors were not routinely reported, and rehabilitation protocols were unknown. Data were not explicitly available for any athletes outside of Division I. The criteria for RTP after ACLR varied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young adults with a foster care background experience challenges in accessing and succeeding in postsecondary educational settings. Despite some research exploring the experiences of racially and ethnically diverse students with a foster care background in college, little is known about the experiences of immigrant-origin Latinx youth with foster care histories and their pursuit of postsecondary education. Using an intersectional approach, this qualitative study examined the college-going experiences of 11 immigrant-origin Latinx young adults with a foster care background and how their multiple marginalized identities—foster care involved, immigrant-origin, and Latinx—interact to shape their experiences. Four interconnected themes emerged in the findings: (a) family fragility, (b) complicated feelings of success, (c) sense of (not) belonging, and (d) supports. Participants' stories illuminate the need for consistent, comprehensive support, a more nuanced understanding of how students' intersecting marginalized identities can play a role in their experiences on campus and point to ways they can be supported before and during college. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging adults with chronic medical conditions must navigate repeated decisions about disclosure as they begin to manage their condition more independently. In this mixed-methods study, college students with chronic medical conditions (N = 25) provided a narrative of a disclosure decision-making experience and completed measures of life satisfaction, subjective well-being, and illness acceptance. Qualitative analysis investigated contexts for disclosure decisions and overall attitudes toward disclosure expressed. Decisions regarding disclosure occurred with university personnel, friends and peers, and at work. Three disclosure attitudes were identified: proactive, open, and reactive. Exploratory quantitative analysis revealed that college students with reactive attitudes toward disclosure reported lower life satisfaction, well-being, and illness acceptance than peers with open or proactive attitudes. Results demonstrate the unique contexts of disclosure faced by emerging adults with chronic conditions and suggest distinct approaches to disclosure are associated with well-being in different ways. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International college students (ICS) in the United States (US) face challenges reporting and accessing services in cases of sexual harassment because they are not aware of the US laws that prohibit sexual violence. This lack of awareness, along with cultural barriers, may influence the odds of help-seeking among ICS in the US who experience sexual harassment. Minimal research to date has captured ICS' knowledge and perceptions of Title IX regulations in the US which protect people from discrimination based on sex and gender in educational programs. Our study examined ICS' knowledge and perceptions of Title IX through in-depth discussions with 13 ICS at a US university. Overall, ICS were not well-informed about Title IX and encouraged colleges to unpack the legal nature of Title IX for ICS who may not have encountered something similar to Title IX as it is "uniquely American." Practical implications for improving campus resources are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to solve this problem, which consists of substantiating, developing, and implementing a methodological system for preparing students for professionally oriented mathematics education in college. Professionally oriented mathematics education in colleges is advisable, as it helps students see the practical benefits and importance of mathematics in their future professional activities. This approach allows us to better prepare students for their future professions. Research problem: what are the leading directions, principles, content, and forms of methodological preparation of students for professionally oriented mathematics education in college? In achieving this goal, we distinguish a complex of professionally oriented tasks in the fact that they reflect specific scenarios and difficulties that specialists face in their professional activities, and this allows students to gain experience in specific tasks from their field. Research methods: interviewing and testing students, teachers; observation, study, and generalization of pedagogical experience; development of an author's methodology for preparing students for professionally oriented mathematics education in college. We identified criteria to verify the effectiveness of the training methodology, assessing the students’ assimilation of subject knowledge and their increased motivation for learning. The results of the pedagogical experiment show that the process of teaching mathematics in a college with a professionally oriented methodological learning system, implemented through the use of a set of professionally oriented tasks, contributes to an increase in the level of mathematical training and educational motivation of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to screen for mental and behavioral health risk of Division II collegiate student athletes using a novel online screening tool (i.e., Heads Up Checkup) via the Sharpen mobile platform and learn the practicality of using such a tool. Collegiate student athletes (n = 367) were recruited to complete the Heads Up Checkup mental and behavioral health screening through the Sharpen mobile application. A total of 338 out of 367 possible collegiate student athletes completed the screening for a participation rate of 92.09%. Participants self-reported mental and behavioral health symptoms, including risk and criteria for 26 ICD-10 disorders. Across the sample, 17.1% of participants (n = 63) met at least 50% of the criteria for at least one diagnosis, 18.8% of participants (n = 69) met 70–99% of diagnostic criteria for at least one diagnosis, and 15.5% of participants (n = 57) met 100% of diagnostic criteria for at least one ICD-10 diagnosis. Although the Heads Up Checkup cannot diagnose disorders, it can be a valuable screening tool to assist coaches, trainers, clinicians, and athletic staff to collaboratively care for collegiate student athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Emerging adulthood is a transitory period in which disordered eating (DE) manifests; collecting data on the prevalence of DE among this population as well as demographic and behavioral correlates are important public health goals. Methods Data from an annual survey of undergraduate students at a large state university from 2019 to 2022 were analyzed, allowing researchers to compare prevalence and correlates before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic using two brief screeners: the SCOFF and Eating Disorder Screener for Primary Care (ESP). We hypothesized that rates of DE would be greater after the onset of COVID-19 as compared to before. We also hypothesized that those identifying as women, reporting higher alcohol or drug use, and contemplating suicide would have greater odds of reporting symptoms consistent with DE. Results DE was significantly lower in pre-pandemic years compared to pandemic years: ESP pre = 38.01%(n = 704), pandemic = 48.79%(n = 645), p

Herein we examine the current state of gender (in)equity within Canadian interuniversity varsity sport (U SPORTS). In so doing, we build upon the previous work of Canada's Centre for Sport Policy Studies at University of Toronto (see Norman et al., 2021). In our examination, we accessed all 56 U SPORTS universities' Department of Athletics official webpages. We investigated the opportunities for women to participate as student-athletes on U SPORTS interuniversity varsity sport teams as well as opportunities for women to serve as sport leaders as their universities' Directors of Athletics (DAs) and head coaches. Our findings suggest the current situation in Canadian universities remains bleak. We also argue that immediate attention and action is needed--by multiple potential stakeholders--for meaningful change to occur. Finally, considering these findings, we offer suggestions for moving forward and creating change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant human gut microbiome changes during adolescence suggest that microbial community evolution occurs throughout important developmental periods including the transition to college, a typical life phase of weight gain. In this observational longitudinal study of 139 college freshmen living in on-campus dormitories, we tracked changes in the gut microbiome via 16S amplicon sequencing and body weight across a single academic year. Participants were grouped by weight change categories of gain (WG), loss (WL), and maintenance (WM). Upon assessment of the community structure, unweighted and weighted UniFrac metrics revealed significant shifts with substantial variation explained by individual effects within weight change categories. Genera that positively contributed to these associations with weight change included Bacteroides, Blautia, and Bifidobacterium in WG participants and Prevotella and Faecalibacterium in WL and WM participants. Moreover, the Prevotella/Bacteroides ratio was significantly different by weight change category, with WL participants displaying an increased ratio. Importantly, these genera did not display co-dominance nor ease of transition between Prevotella- and Bacteroides-dominated states. We further assessed the overall taxonomic variation, noting the increased stability of the WL compared to the WG microbiome. Finally, we found 30 latent community structures within the microbiome with significant associations with waist circumference, sleep, and dietary factors, with alcohol consumption chief among them. Our findings highlight the high level of individual variation and the importance of initial gut microbiome community structure in college students during a period of major lifestyle changes. Further work is needed to confirm these findings and explore mechanistic relationships between gut microbes and weight change in free-living individuals.

BACKGROUND: Sexual assault is prevalent on college campuses and most commonly is perpetrated by men. Problematically, there is a dearth of evidence-based prevention programs targeting men as perpetrators of sexual aggression. The Sexual Assault and Alcohol Feedback and Education (SAFE) program is an integrated alcohol and sexual assault prevention intervention for college men who engage in heavy drinking that aims to address sexual aggression proclivity and alcohol use outcomes by incorporating social norms theory, bystander intervention, and motivational interviewing. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the initial feasibility-, acceptability-, and efficacy-related outcomes of a randomized pilot trial of an integrated alcohol and sexual assault prevention program for college men who engage in heavy drinking. METHODS: This study included 115 college men who engaged in heavy drinking, who were randomly assigned to the SAFE program or a mindfulness-based control condition (MBCC). The feasibility of implementation, adequacy of participant retention, fidelity and competency of program administration, and satisfaction and utility of the intervention were evaluated. The primary outcomes of alcohol use and sexual aggression were evaluated at 2 and 6 months after baseline. The secondary outcomes of perceived peer norms, risks for sexual aggression, and bystander intervention were also assessed. The extent to which the motivational interviewing session with personalized normative feedback facilitated changes in the proximal outcomes of drinking intentions, motivation to change, and self-efficacy was also examined. RESULTS: The study procedures resulted in high program completion and retention (>80%), high fidelity to the program manual (>80% of the content included), high competency in program administration, and high ratings of satisfaction and program utility in addressing sexual relationships and alcohol use. Both groups reported declines in the number of drinks per week and number of heavy drinking days. Compared with the MBCC participants, the SAFE participants reported higher motivation to change alcohol use after the program, as well as greater use of alcohol protective behavioral strategies at 6 months. Compared with the MBCC participants, the SAFE participants also reported lower perceived peer engagement in sexual coercion, perceived peer comfort with sexism, and peer drinking norms at 2 and 6 months. However, no group differences were observed in sexual aggression severity, rape myth acceptance, or the labeling of sexual consent. Results regarding bystander intervention intentions were mixed, with the MBCC group showing decreased intentions at 2 months and the SAFE group reporting increased intentions at both 2 and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide promising evidence for the feasibility, acceptability, utility, and preliminary efficacy of the SAFE program in reducing alcohol use and positively influencing perceived peer norms and intentions for bystander intervention among college men who drink. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05773027; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05773027.

On-campus canine-assisted interventions (CAIs) provide opportunities for college students to interact with therapy dog-handler teams and are considered a low-cost and low-barrier way for students to reduce their stress and bolster their well-being. Across studies, we see participant samples comprised predominantly of women participants. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 20-min CAI on the well-being of women (n = 80), men (n = 54), and gender-diverse (n = 28; i.e., non-binary, genderfluid, and two-spirit) participants. Across all gender conditions, significant pre-to-post increases in well-being (i.e., campus connectedness, happiness, positive affect, or optimism) and decreases in ill-being (i.e., homesickness, loneliness, negative affect, anxiety, or stress) were found. Controlling for pre-test scores, there was no significant effect of gender on any of the well-being or ill-being. Findings corroborate previous research attesting to the efficacy of CAIs in enhancing the social and emotional well-being of students and suggest that CAIs are equally effective across participants of varied genders.