A mental health survey and the promotion of psychological well-being in university students under COVID-19

Abstract

A mixed-method approach was employed in this study. Student surveys (N = 1,648) and focus group interviews (N = 111 and 23 groups), teacher focus group interviews (N = 26 and 5 groups), and key services providers’ stocktaking surveys (N = 11 and 11 units) were conducted between January 2021 and June 2021 to collect qualitative and quantitative data. This study assessed the need satisfaction and mental health status of PolyU students in Hong Kong. It revealed the risk and protective factors of mental health in different contexts. It also highlighted the difficulties encountered by students and teachers as well as their perceptions of the effectiveness of supporting services provided by PolyU. By triangulating the findings based on different perspectives and different types of data, this study revealed that mental health problems were prevalent among students. More efforts are required to prevent negative mental health and reduce the prevalence of mental health problems. Moreover, it also revealed a gap between the services provided and students’ perceptions. To better understand the impact and causality of the associated factors on students’ mental health status, longitudinal studies should be conducted to track the changes in mental health and well-being of PolyU students.