Psychological distress and help seeking amongst higher education students: findings from a mixed method study of undergraduate nursing/midwifery and teacher education students in Ireland

Abstract

Psychological distress as experienced by higher education students is of major concern because of its potential to adversely impact academic performance, retention, mental health and lifestyle. This paper reports a mixed method investigation of student self-reported psychological distress and help-seeking behaviour. The sample comprised all students (n = 1557) registered on undergraduate nursing/midwifery and teacher education programmes at an Irish university. Participants (n = 1112) completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) to determine their self-reported psychological distress and the Lifestyle Behaviour Questionnaire to examine sources of distress, lifestyle and demographic variables. Individual interviews (n = 59) explored student experiences of psychological distress and their help-seeking behaviours. Forty two percent of respondents exceeded the GHQ threshold ≥5, which signifies risk of mental or physical health problems. Sources of distress included academic, financial and psychosocial stressors. Regression analysis identified that demographic, programmatic and lifestyle variables predicted GHQ scores. Despite the distress experienced, students were reluctant users of support services. Many actively avoided seeking help. These findings raise serious concerns about the extent of psychological distress among this population. They also alert education providers to be vigilant for student psychological distress and to provide effective interventions, cognisant of the impact of stigma on help seeking.

Keywords:

• psychological distress
• stress
• help seeking
• higher education students

Notes on contributors

Christine Deasy is a lecturer in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick.

Barry Coughlan is a Senior Lecturer and Assistant Director of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology, University of Limerick.

Julie Pironom is a Statistician in School Health Education Research Unit, Laboratoire ACTé, ESPE Clermont-Auvergne. Julie's field of expertise lies in statistical analysis in education, particularly health education.

Didier Jourdan is Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Education of the University Blaise Pascal Clermont-Ferrand, France. He's also Adjunct Professor at the University of Limerick Ireland. He has led the ‘health education in schools’ research group (ACTé EA 4281). He is one of France's leading health promoters and health educators. He is a special adviser to the minister of education and to the minister of health for Children and Adolescent health policy in France.

Patricia Mannix-McNamara is a Senior Lecturer in Education and co-director for the Research Centre in Education and Professional Practice (RECEPP) in the Department of Education and Professional Studies, University of Limerick.