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Positive affect and resilience in tertiary education students
David Tuck1, Joshua Wiley2, Lefteris Patlamazoglou1
1School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Positive affect significantly impacts mental health in university students, reducing depression and distress while boosting resilience. This finding is crucial for supporting student well-being during challenging times.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health
- Higher Education
Background:
- Mental illnesses are a primary concern for young adults.
- Tertiary education students report higher distress levels than non-students, indicating vulnerability to psychopathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate resilience theories and explore methods for enhancing resilience in university students.
- To examine the relationship between positive affect, depression, anxiety, distress, and resilience.
Main Methods:
- Collected data on affect, depression, anxiety, distress, and resilience from 1072 university students.
- Data collection occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Results:
- Positive affect accounted for 25% of the variance in depressive symptoms and 21% in overall distress.
- Positive affect explained 15% of the variance in resilience but less than 10% in anxiety symptoms.
- Positive affect showed a stronger association with depression than anxiety in this student population.
Conclusions:
- Positive affect is a significant factor in managing depression and distress among university students.
- Promoting positive affect may be an effective strategy for enhancing student resilience and alleviating mental health symptoms.
- Findings highlight the importance of positive psychological interventions in higher education settings.
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