The status and factors associated with the mental well-being of university students in China: a cross-sectional study

While increasing attention has been given to the mental health challenges faced by university students, there remains a lack of research specifically focused on their positive mental well-being, particularly in the East Asia region. To address this gap, the current study investigates the current status and factors associated with the mental well-being of young people in Fujian, China.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted among students from seven universities in Fujian Province, China. Participants' mental well-being was assessed using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS). Coping strategies were measured using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), and resilience was assessed using the two-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC2). Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between mental well-being and various personal, familial, health-related, behavioral, and psychosocial variables.

Nearly one-third of respondents could be categorized as having a low level of mental well-being. After adjusting for covariates, task-oriented coping showed a positive association with mental well-being, while avoidance-oriented coping was negatively associated. Resilience was also positively related to mental well-being. Additionally, better sleep quality and longer sleep duration were positively associated with mental well-being, whereas self-harm behavior was negatively associated. Regular exercise was positively associated with mental well-being.

Health behaviors such as regular exercise, better sleep quality and sufficient sleep, as well as psychosocial factors including resilience and positive coping, are identified as important for good mental well-being among university students in China.