A cross-sectional survey of mental health literacy in college freshmen

VernacularTitle:某大学新生的心理健康素养现状调查
Author: Dian ZHANG ¹ ; Jinpei SONG ; Shen CHEN ; Yongxin LI
Author Information

1. 河南大学心理与行为研究所,河南开封 475004
Keywords: mental health; mental health literacy; freshmen
From: Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):84-88
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective:To investigate the stateand related factors of mental health literacy in college freshmen.Methods:A total of 8 014 college freshmen in the class of 2022 from a comprehensive university in Henan Province were selected.They were assessed with a self-administered general information questionnaire and the Mental Health Literacy Scale(MHLS).Results:The average total score of freshmen on the MHLS was(111.55±9.84),and the MHLS total scores were higher in female freshmen than in male freshmen(P＜0.001).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender was significantly negatively associated with total MHLS scores(β=-0.24,P＜0.001),and whether or not they had taken mental health education courses(β=0.09)and whether or not they had read psychology-related books(β=0.08)were positively associated with total MHLS score(Ps＜0.001).Conclusion:In this study,the mental health literacy in freshmen is at amoderate level,with higher levels of mental health literacy in females,those who have taken mental health education courses,and those who have read books on psychology.