On the nature, predictors, and outcomes of undergraduate students' psychological distress profiles

Gilbert, William ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6152-8656, Demanins, Sarah A., Bureau, Julien S., Guay, Frédéric et Morin, Alexandre J. S. (2023). On the nature, predictors, and outcomes of undergraduate students' psychological distress profiles. Learning and Individual Differences, 108 . p. 102378.

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Résumé

Although it is well known that psychological distress is a widespread phenomenon among undergraduate students, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, research on the heterogeneity of the psychological distress manifestations observed in this population is still lacking. This study sought to investigate the nature of psychological distress profiles among a sample of 1053 undergraduate students (78.2 % female; Mage = 22.60, SDage = 4.72) who completed our measures roughly six months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Levels of depression, generalized anxiety, performance anxiety, and emotional exhaustion were evaluated while also accounting for participants' global levels of distress across all types of manifestations. Moreover, we also considered the role played by contextual (university educational climate) and individual (student trait self-control) factors as predictors of profile membership, while controlling for students' sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, residence status, parental education level, and immigration status). Finally, students' levels of suicidal ideation and risk behaviors (substance use, sedentary time, and fast-food consumption) were contrasted across profiles. Our analyses revealed five quantitatively and qualitatively distinct profiles of psychological distress (Low Distress, Emotional Exhaustion, Performance Anxiety, General Distress, and Exhausted with Performance Anxiety). Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, a need supportive educational climate and higher levels of trait self-control predicted a higher likelihood of membership into the most adaptive profiles (e.g., Low Distress). Lastly, membership to the General Distress and Exhausted with Performance Anxiety profiles was associated with the least desirable outcomes. -- Keywords : University students ; Psychological distress ; Educational climate ; Self-control ; Risk behaviors.

Type de document :	Article
Validation par les pairs :	Oui
Mots-clés :	Détresse ; Détresse - prévention ; Étudiants - Aspect psychologique ; Enseignement supérieur ; Pandémie de COVID-19, 2020-
Version du document déposé :	Post-print (version corrigée et acceptée)
Départements et unités départementales :	Département des sciences de la santé > Psychologie
Déposé par :	DIUQAR UQAR
Date de dépôt :	14 nov. 2023 15:42
Dernière modification :	14 nov. 2023 15:42
URI :	https://semaphore.uqar.ca/id/eprint/2647

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