Flourishing: exploring predictors of mental health within the college environment.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the predictive factors of student mental health within the college environment.

PARTICIPANTS

Students enrolled at 7 unique universities during years 2008 (n=1,161) and 2009 (n=1,459).

METHODS

Participants completed survey measures of mental health, consequences of alcohol use, and engagement in the college environment.

RESULTS

In addition to replicating previous findings related to Keyes' Mental Health Continuum, multiple regression analysis revealed several predictors of college student mental health, including supportive college environments, students' sense of belonging, professional confidence, and civic engagement. However, multiple measures of engaged learning were not found to predict mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that supportive college environments foster student flourishing. Implications for promoting mental health across campus are discussed. Future research should build on exploratory findings and test confirmatory models to better understand relationships between the college environment and student flourishing.