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Mental Health Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On April 16, 2024

You probably found your way here looking for mental health topics for your final year research project. Look no further, we have drafted a list of issues, and their research aims to help you when you are brainstorming for dissertation or thesis topics on mental health.

PhD-qualified writers of our team have developed these topics, so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal or full dissertation service from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the topic, research question , aim and objectives, literature review , and the proposed research methodology to be conducted. Let us know if you need any help in getting started.

Check our dissertation examples to understand how to structure your dissertation .

Also read: Psychology dissertation topics & nursing dissertation topics

Latest Mental Health Dissertation Topics for 2024

Review the step-by-step guide on how to write your dissertation here .

Topic 1: Assessing the Influence of Parents’ Divorce or Separation on Adolescent Children regarding long-term psychological impact.
Topic 2: Investigating the impact of Trauma and Health-related quality of life on a child’s Mental health and self-worth.

Topic 3: Assessing the effect of Psychological training on males suffering from Post-Surgery Anxiety in the UK.

Topic 4: Investigating the Relationship between Mental Illness and Suicides- A case study of UK’s Young Adults.

Topic 5: Examining the behaviour of Mental Health Nurses taking care of Schizophrenia Patients in the UK.

Topic 1: an assessment of the influence of parents' divorce or separation on adolescent children in terms of long-term psychological impact..

Research Aim: This study aims to investigate the level of traumas experienced by the children of divorced or separated parents. The principal aim of this study is to explore the long-term psychological impacts of parents’ divorce on the life of children regardless of their gender and age in terms of mental wellbeing, academic performance, and self-worth.

Topic 2: An investigation of the impact of Trauma and Health-related quality of life on the Mental health and Self-worth of a child.

Research Aim: This study aims to assess the long-term impacts of the trauma children face in their early years of life on their overall mental health. Also, numerous studies have emphasized improving the quality of life for children who tend to experience multiple traumas and take them along in adulthood. Therefore, this study also proposed the impacts of traumatic childhood experiences on self-worth, mental health, and vitality of implementing firm intervention before the child reaches adulthood.

Research Aim: Postoperative problems may occur as a result of surgical stress. This study aims to examine different approaches to control post-surgical anxiety and improve patients’ lives in the short and long term, focusing on male patients in the UK. It will also give us an understanding of how psychological training and interventions affect anxiety in male patients and help them overcome this through a systematic review.

Topic 4: Investigating the Relationship between Mental illness and Suicides- A case study of UK's Young Adults.

Research Aim: This study aims to find the relationship between mental illness and suicides and risk factors in the UK. This study will specifically focus on young adults. It will examine different mental disorders and how they have led to suicide and will analyse further studies of people who had died by suicide and find evidence of the presence or absence of mental illness.

Research Aim: Negative behaviours and discrimination have been usually reported as a reason for the inconvenience in the treatment of mentally ill or schizophrenia patients, which negatively impacts the patient’s results. Health care professionals’ attitudes have been regarded as being more negative than the general public, which lowers the outlook for patients suffering from mental illness. This study will examine the behaviour of mental health nurses regarding schizophrenia patients in the UK and also focus on the characteristics associated with nurses’ attitudes.

COVID-19 Mental Health Research Topics

Topic1: impacts of the coronavirus on the mental health of various age groups.

Research Aim: This study will reveal the impacts of coronavirus on the mental health of various age groups

Topic 2: Mental health and psychological resilience during COVID-19

Research Aim: Social distancing has made people isolated and affected their mental health. This study will highlight various measures to overcome the stress and mental health of people during coronavirus.

Topic 3: The mental health of children and families during COVID-19

Research Aim: This study will address the challenging situations faced by children and families during lockdown due to COVID-19. It will also discuss various ways to overcome the fear of disease and stay positive.

Topic 4: Mental wellbeing of patients during the Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: This study will focus on the measures taken by the hospital management, government, and families to ensure patients’ mental well-being, especially COVID-19 patients.

Best Mental Health Topics for Your Dissertation in the Year 2023

Topic 1: kids and their relatives with cancer: psychological challenges.

Research Aim: In cancer diagnoses and therapies, children often don’t know what happens. Many have psychosocial problems, including rage, terror, depression, disturbing their sleep, inexpiable guilt, and panic. Therefore, this study is designed to identify and treat the child and its family members’ psychological issues.

Topic 2: Hematopoietic device reaction in ophthalmology patient’s radiation therapy

Research Aim: This research is based on the analysis of hematopoietic devices’ reactions to ophthalmology’s radiation.

Topic 3: Psychological effects of cyberbullying Vs. physical bullying: A counter study

Research Aim: This research will focus on the effects of cyberbullying and physical bullying and their consequences on the victim’s mental health. The most significant part is the counter effects on our society’s environment and human behaviour, particularly youth.

Topic 4: Whether or not predictive processing is a theory of perceptual consciousness?

Research Aim: This research aims to identify: whether or not predictive processing is a theory of perceptual consciousness?

Topic 5: Importance of communication in a relationship

Research Aim: This research aims to address the importance of communication in relationships and the communication gap consequences.

Topic 6: Eating and personality disorders

Research Aim: This research aims to focus on eating and personality disorders

Topic 7: Analysis of teaching, assessment, and evaluation of students and learning differences

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse teaching methods, assessment, and evaluation systems of students and their learning differences

Topic 8: Social and psychological effects of virtual networks

Research Aim: This research aims to study the social and psychological effects of virtual networks

Topic 9: The role of media in provoking aggression

Research Aim: This research aims to address the role of media and in provoking aggression among people

Best Mental Health Topics for Your Dissertation in the Year 2022

Topic 1: what is the impact of social media platforms on the mental wellbeing of adults.

Research Aim: the current study aims to investigate the impact social media platforms tend to have on adults’ mental well-being with a particular focus on the United Kingdom. While many studies have been carried out to gauge the impact of social media platforms on teenagers’ mental well-being, little to no research has been performed to investigate how the health of adults might be affected by the same and how social media platforms like Facebook impact them.

Topic 2: The contemporary practical management approach to treating personality disorders

Research Aim: This research will discuss the contemporary practical management approach for treating personality disorders in mental health patients. In the previous days, much of the personality disorder treatments were based on medicines and drugs. Therefore, this research will address contemporary and practical ways to manage how personality disorders affect the mental state of the individuals who have the disease.

Topic 3: How is Prozac being used in the modern-day to treat self-diagnosed depression?

Research Aim: In the current day and age, besides people suffering from clinical depression, many of the teens and the adults across have started to suffer from self-diagnosed depression. To treat their self-diagnosed depression, individuals take Prozac through all the wrong means, which harms their mental state even more. Therefore, the current study aims to shed light on how Prozac is being used in the modern age and the adverse effects of misinformed use on the patients.

Topic 4: Are women more prone to suffer from mental disorders than men: Comparative analysis

Research Aim: There have been several arguments regarding whether women are more likely to suffer from mental disorders than men. Much of the research carried out provides evidence that women are more prone to suffer from mental disorders. This research study aims to conduct a comparative analysis to determine whether it’s more likely for men or women to suffer from mental disorders and what role biological and societal factors play in determining the trend.

Topic 5: The impact of breakups on the mental health of men?

Research Aim: Several studies have been carried out to discuss how women are affected more by a breakup than men. However, little research material is available in support of the impact the end of a relationship can have on men’s mental health. Therefore, this research study will fill out the gap in research to determine the impact of a breakup on men’s mental health and stability.

Topic 6: A theoretical analysis of the Impact of emotional attachment on mental health?

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the theories developed around emotional attachment to address how emotional attachment can harm individuals’ mental health across the globe. Several theories discuss the role that emotional attachment tends to play in the mind of a healthy being, and how emotional attachment can often negatively affect mental well-being.

Topic 7: How do social media friendships contribute to poor mental health?

Research Aim: This research idea aims to address how social media friendships and networking can often lead to a lack of self-acceptance, self-loathing, self-pity, self-comparison, and depression due to the different mindsets that are present in today’s world.

Topic 8: What role do parents play in ensuring the mental well-being of their children?

Research Aim: It is assumed that parents tend to stop playing a role in ensuring that the mental health and well-being of their children are being maintained after a certain age. Therefore, this study will aim to put forward the idea that even after the children pass the age of 18, activities and their relationship with their parents would always play a role in the way their mental health is being transformed.

Topic 9: A study on the mental health of soldiers returning from Iraq?

Research Aim: This topic idea puts forward the aim that the mental health of soldiers who return from war-struck areas is always a subject of interest, as each of the soldiers carries a mental burden. Therefore, it is vital to understand the soldiers’ mental health returning from Iraq, focusing on what causes their mental health to deteriorate during the war and suggestions of what to do or who to call if they do become unwell.

Topic 10: How the contemporary media practices in the UK are leading to mental health problems?

Research Aim: The media is known to have control and influence over people’s mindsets who are connected to it. Many of the contemporary media practices developed in the UK can negatively impact the mental well-being of individuals, which makes it necessary to analyse how they are contributing to the mental health problems among the UK population.

Topic 11: What is the impact of television advertising on the mental development of children in the UK?

Research Aim: This topic would aim to address how television advertising can negatively impact children’s mental development in the United Kingdom, as it has been observed in many studies that television advertising is detrimental to the mental health of children.

Topic 12: How deteriorating mental health can have an Impact on physical health?

Research Aim: This research aims to address the side-effects of deteriorating mental health on the physical health of individuals in the society, as it is believed that the majority of the physical ailments in the modern-day and age are due to the deteriorating mental health of individuals. The study can address the treatments for many ailments in our society due to deteriorating mental health and well-being.

Topic 13: The relationship between unemployment and mental health

Research Aim: How unemployment relates to concepts, such as a declining economy or lack of social skills and education, has been frequently explored by many researchers in the past. However, not many have discussed the relationship between unemployment and the mental health of unemployed individuals. Therefore, this topic will help address the problems faced by individuals due to unemployment because of the mental blocks they are likely to develop and experience. In the future, it would lead to fewer people being depressed due to unemployment when further research is carried out.

Topic 14: The mental health problems of prisoners in the United Kingdom

Research Aim: While prisoners across the globe are criticised and studied for the negativity that goes on in their mindsets, one would rarely research the mental health problems they tend to develop when they become a prisoner for committing any crime. It is often assumed that it is the life inside the prison walls that impacts the prisoners’ mental health in a way that leads to them committing more crimes. Therefore, this research topic has been developed to study prison’s impact on prisoners’ mental well-being in the United Kingdom to eventually decrease the number of crimes that occur due to the negative environment inside the prisons.

Topic 15: Mental well-being of industry workers in China

Research Aim: While many research studies have been carried out regarding the conditions that the workers in China tend to be exposed to, there is very little supporting evidence regarding the impact such working conditions have on the mindset and mental health of the workers. Therefore, this study aims to address the challenges faced by industry workers in China and the impact that such challenges can have on their mental well-being.

Topic 16: Is the provision of mental health care services in the United Kingdom effective?

Research Aim: Many people have made different assumptions regarding the mental health care services provided across the globe. However, it seems that little to no research has been carried out regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the provision of mental health care services in the United Kingdom. Therefore, this study aims to put forward research into the mental health care services provided in well-developed countries like the United Kingdom to gauge the awareness and importance of mental health in the region.

Topic 17: What are the mental health problems the minorities in the United Kingdom face?

Research Aim: It is believed that the minorities in the United Kingdom are likely to experience physical abuse, societal abuse and are often exposed to discrimination and unfair acts at the workplace and in their social circle. The study investigates the range of mental problems faced by minorities in the UK, which need to be addressed to have equality, diversity, and harmony.

Topic 18: The impact the Coronavirus has had on the mental health of the Chinese people

Research Aim: The spread of the deadly Coronavirus has led to many deaths in the region of China, and many of those who have been suspected of the virus are being put in isolation and quarantine. Such conditions tend to have hurt the mental health of those who have suffered from the disease and those who have watched people suffer from it. Therefore, the current study aims to address how the Coronavirus has impacted the mental health of the Chinese people.

Topic 19: How to create change in mental health organisations in China?

Research Aim: Research suggests little awareness about mental health in many Asian countries. As mental health problems are on the rise across the globe, it is necessary to change mental health organisations. Therefore, the study aims to discuss how to create change in mental health organisations in the Asian region using China’s example.

Topic 20: Addressing the mental health concerns of the Syrian refugees in the UK

Research Aim: This research project would address the concerns in terms of the refugees’ mental health and well-being, using an example of the Syrian refugees who had been allowed entry into the United Kingdom. This idea aims to put forward the negative effects that migration can have on the refugees and how further research is required to combat such issues not just in the United Kingdom but worldwide.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

Important Notes:

As a mental health student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment on existing mental health theories – i.e., to add value and interest in the topic of your research.

Mental health is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like civil engineering , construction , project management , engineering management , healthcare , finance and accounting , artificial intelligence , tourism , physiotherapy , sociology , management , project management , and nursing . That is why it is imperative to create a project management dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best mental health dissertation topics that fulfill your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample mental health dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Mental Health Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

A Title Page
Acknowledgements
Declaration
Abstract: A summary of the research completed
Table of Contents
Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths whilst identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic, and key terms that can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of results in this chapter, and state whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section of the paper is to draw a linkage between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
References : This should be completed following your University’s requirements
Bibliography
Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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How to find mental health dissertation topics.

To find mental health dissertation topics:

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Improving college student mental health: Research on promising campus interventions

Hiring more counselors isn’t enough to improve college student mental health, scholars warn. We look at research on programs and policies schools have tried, with varying results.

Republish this article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License .

by Denise-Marie Ordway, The Journalist's Resource September 13, 2023

This <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org/education/college-student-mental-health-research-interventions/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org">The Journalist's Resource</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://journalistsresource.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-jr-favicon-150x150.png" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;">

If you’re a journalist covering higher education in the U.S., you’ll likely be reporting this fall on what many healthcare professionals and researchers are calling a college student mental health crisis.

An estimated 49% of college students have symptoms of depression or anxiety disorder and 14% seriously considered committing suicide during the past year, according to a national survey of college students conducted during the 2022-23 school year. Nearly one-third of the 76,406 students who participated said they had intentionally injured themselves in recent months.

In December, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a rare public health advisory calling attention to the rising number of youth attempting suicide , noting the COVID-19 pandemic has “exacerbated the unprecedented stresses young people already faced.”

Meanwhile, colleges and universities of all sizes are struggling to meet the need for mental health care among undergraduate and graduate students. Many schools have hired more counselors and expanded services but continue to fall short.

Hundreds of University of Houston students held a protest earlier this year , demanding the administration increase the number of counselors and make other changes after two students died by suicide during the spring semester, the online publication Chron reported.

In an essay in the student-run newspaper , The Cougar, last week, student journalist Malachi Key blasts the university for having one mental health counselor for every 2,122 students, a ratio higher than recommended by the International Accreditation of Counseling Services , which accredits higher education counseling services.

But adding staff to a campus counseling center won’t be enough to improve college student mental health and well-being, scholars and health care practitioners warn.

“Counseling centers cannot and should not be expected to solve these problems alone, given that the factors and forces affecting student well-being go well beyond the purview and resources that counseling centers can bring to bear,” a committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine writes in a 2021 report examining the issue.

Advice from prominent scholars

The report is the culmination of an 18-month investigation the National Academies launched in 2019, at the request of the federal government, to better understand how campus culture affects college student mental health and well-being. Committee members examined data, studied research articles and met with higher education leaders, mental health practitioners, researchers and students.

The committee’s key recommendation: that schools take a more comprehensive approach to student mental health, implementing a wide range of policies and programs aimed at preventing mental health problems and improving the well-being of all students — in addition to providing services and treatment for students in distress and those with diagnosed mental illnesses.

Everyone on campus, including faculty and staff across departments, needs to pitch in to establish a new campus culture, the committee asserts.

“An ‘all hands’ approach, one that emphasizes shared responsibility and a holistic understanding of what it means in practice to support students, is needed if institutions of higher education are to intervene from anything more than a reactive standpoint,” committee members write. “Creating this systemic change requires that institutions examine the entire culture and environment of the institution and accept more responsibility for creating learning environments where a changing student population can thrive.”

In a more recent analysis , three leading scholars in the field also stress the need for a broader plan of action.

Sara Abelson , a research assistant professor at Temple University’s medical school; Sarah Lipson , an associate professor at the Boston University School of Public Health; and Daniel Eisenberg , a professor of health policy and management at the University of California, Los Angeles’ School of Public Health, have been studying college student mental health for years.

Lipson and Eisenberg also are principal investigators for the Healthy Minds Network , which administers the Healthy Minds Study , a national survey of U.S college students conducted annually to gather information about their mental health, whether and how they receive mental health care and related issues.

Abelson, Lipson and Eisenberg review the research to date on mental health interventions for college students in the 2022 edition of Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research . They note that while the evidence indicates a multi-pronged approach is best, it’s unclear which specific strategies are most effective.

Much more research needed

Abelson, Lipson and Eisenberg stress the need for more research. Many interventions in place at colleges and universities today — for instance, schoolwide initiatives aimed at reducing mental health stigma and encouraging students to seek help when in duress – should be evaluated to gauge their effectiveness, they write in their chapter, “ Mental Health in College Populations: A Multidisciplinary Review of What Works, Evidence Gaps, and Paths Forward .”

They add that researchers and higher education leaders also need to look at how campus operations, including hiring practices and budgetary decisions, affect college student mental health. It would be helpful to know, for example, how students are impacted by limits on the number of campus counseling sessions they can have during a given period, Abelson, Lipson and Eisenberg suggest.

Likewise, it would be useful to know whether students are more likely to seek counseling when they must pay for their sessions or when their school charges every member of the student body a mandatory health fee that provides free counseling for all students.

“These financially-based considerations likely influence help-seeking and treatment receipt, but they have not been evaluated within higher education,” they write.

Interventions that show promise

The report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the chapter by Abelson, Lipson and Eisenberg both spotlight programs and policies shown to prevent mental health problems or improve the mental health and well-being of young people. However, many intervention studies focus on high school students, specific groups of college students or specific institutions. Because of this, it can be tough to predict how well they would work across the higher education landscape.

Scientific evaluations of these types of interventions indicate they are effective:

Building students’ behavior management skills and having them practice new skills under expert supervision . An example: A class that teaches students how to use mindfulness to improve their mental and physical health that includes instructor-led meditation exercises.
Training some students to offer support to others , including sharing information and organizing peer counseling groups. “Peers may be ‘the single most potent source of influence’ on student affective and cognitive growth and development during college,” Abelson, Lipson and Eisenberg write.
Reducing students’ access to things they can use to harm themselves , including guns and lethal doses of over-the-counter medication.
Creating feelings of belonging through activities that connect students with similar interests or backgrounds.
Making campuses more inclusive for racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ students and students who are the first in their families to go to college. One way to do that is by hiring mental health professionals trained to recognize, support and treat students from different backgrounds. “Research has shown that the presentation of [mental health] symptoms can differ based on racial and ethnic backgrounds, as can engaging in help-seeking behaviors that differ from those of cisgender, heteronormative white men,” explain members of National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee.

Helping journalists sift through the evidence

We encourage journalists to read the full committee report and aforementioned chapter in Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research . We realize, though, that many journalists won’t have time to pour over the combined 304 pages of text to better understand this issue and the wide array of interventions colleges and universities have tried, with varying success.

To help, we’ve gathered and summarized meta-analyses that investigate some of the more common interventions. Researchers conduct meta-analyses — a top-tier form of scientific evidence — to systematically analyze all the numerical data that appear in academic studies on a given topic. The findings of a meta-analysis are statistically stronger than those reached in a single study, partly because pooling data from multiple, similar studies creates a larger sample to examine.

Keep reading to learn more. And please check back here occasionally because we’ll add to this list as new research on college student mental health is published.

Peer-led programs

Stigma and Peer-Led Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Jing Sun; et al. Frontiers in Psychiatry, July 2022.

When people diagnosed with a mental illness received social or emotional support from peers with similar mental health conditions, they experienced less stress about the public stigma of mental illness, this analysis suggests.

The intervention worked for people from various age groups, including college students and middle-aged adults, researchers learned after analyzing seven studies on peer-led mental health programs written or published between 1975 and 2021.

Researchers found that participants also became less likely to identify with negative stereotypes associated with mental illness.

All seven studies they examined are randomized controlled trials conducted in the U.S., Germany or Switzerland. Together, the findings represent the experiences of a total of 763 people, 193 of whom were students at universities in the U.S.

Researchers focused on interventions designed for small groups of people, with the goal of reducing self-stigma and stress associated with the public stigma of mental illness. One or two trained peer counselors led each group for activities spanning three to 10 weeks.

Five of the seven studies tested the Honest, Open, Proud program, which features role-playing exercises, self-reflection and group discussion. It encourages participants to consider disclosing their mental health issues, instead of keeping them a secret, in hopes that will help them feel more confident and empowered. The two other programs studied are PhotoVoice , based in the United Kingdom, and

“By sharing their own experiences or recovery stories, peer moderators may bring a closer relationship, reduce stereotypes, and form a positive sense of identity and group identity, thereby reducing self-stigma,” the authors of the analysis write.

Expert-led instruction

The Effects of Meditation, Yoga, and Mindfulness on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Tertiary Education Students: A Meta-Analysis Josefien Breedvelt; et al. Frontiers in Psychiatry, April 2019.

Meditation-based programs help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among college students, researchers find after analyzing the results of 24 research studies conducted in various parts of North America, Asia and Europe.

Reductions were “moderate,” researchers write. They warn, however, that the results of their meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution considering studies varied in quality.

A total of 1,373 college students participated in the 24 studies. Students practiced meditation, yoga or mindfulness an average of 153 minutes a week for about seven weeks. Most programs were provided in a group setting.

Although the researchers do not specify which types of mindfulness, yoga or meditation training students received, they note that the most commonly offered mindfulness program is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and that a frequently practiced form of yoga is Hatha Yoga .

Meta-Analytic Evaluation of Stress Reduction Interventions for Undergraduate and Graduate Students Miryam Yusufov; et al. International Journal of Stress Management, May 2019.

After examining six types of stress-reduction programs common on college campuses, researchers determined all were effective at reducing stress or anxiety among students — and some helped with both stress and anxiety.

Programs focusing on cognitive-behavioral therapy , coping skills and building social support networks were more effective in reducing stress. Meanwhile, relaxation training, mindfulness-based stress reduction and psychoeducation were more effective in reducing anxiety.

The authors find that all six program types were equally effective for undergraduate and graduate students.

The findings are based on an analysis of 43 studies dated from 1980 to 2015, 30 of which were conducted in the U.S. The rest were conducted in Australia, China, India, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kora, Malaysia or Thailand. A total of 4,400 students participated.

Building an inclusive environment

Cultural Adaptations and Therapist Multicultural Competence: Two Meta-Analytic Reviews Alberto Soto; et al. Journal of Clinical Psychology, August 2018.

If racial and ethnic minorities believe their therapist understands their background and culture, their treatment tends to be more successful, this analysis suggests.

“The more a treatment is tailored to match the precise characteristics of a client, the more likely that client will engage in treatment, remain in treatment, and experience improvement as a result of treatment,” the authors write.

Researchers analyzed the results of 15 journal articles and doctoral dissertations that examine therapists’ cultural competence . Nearly three-fourths of those studies were written or published in 2010 or later. Together, the findings represent the experiences of 2,640 therapy clients, many of whom were college students. Just over 40% of participants were African American and 32% were Hispanic or Latino.

The researchers note that they find no link between therapists’ ratings of their own level of cultural competence and client outcomes.

Internet-based interventions

Internet Interventions for Mental Health in University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Mathias Harrer; et al. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, June 2019.

Internet-based mental health programs can help reduce stress and symptoms of anxiety, depression and eating disorders among college students, according to an analysis of 48 research studies published or written before April 30, 2018 on the topic.

All 48 studies were randomized, controlled trials of mental health interventions that used the internet to engage with students across various platforms and devices, including mobile phones and apps. In total, 10,583 students participated in the trials.

“We found small effects on depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, as well as moderate‐sized effects on eating disorder symptoms and students’ social and academic functioning,” write the authors, who conducted the meta-analysis as part of the World Mental Health International College Student Initiative .

The analysis indicates programs that focus on cognitive behavioral therapy “were superior to other types of interventions.” Also, programs “of moderate length” — one to two months – were more effective.

The researchers note that studies of programs targeting depression showed better results when students were not compensated for their participation, compared to studies in which no compensation was provided. The researchers do not offer possible explanations for the difference in results or details about the types of compensation offered to students.

About The Author

Denise-Marie Ordway

150+ Trending Mental Health Research Topics For Students (2023)

Mental health is an important part of our well-being, encompassing our emotional, psychological, and social health. In the United States, the importance of addressing mental health has gained recognition, with growing concerns about stress, anxiety, and depression.

In this blog, we will guide you the meaning of mental health research topics with our 5 useful tips. Moreover, we give you a list of 150+ Mental Health Research Topics in 2023, including qualitative, interesting, and even controversial ones, you’ll find options that suit your interests. From the impact of social media to the intersection of Mental Health with political science and music therapy, we’ve got you covered.

Stay tuned for more on mental health research topics, and do not forget our bonus tips for selecting the best topics.

What Is Mental Health?

Table of Contents

Mental health is about how we feel and think inside our minds. It’s like taking care of our thoughts and emotions, just like we take care of our bodies. When our mental health is good, we usually feel happy and calm and can handle life’s challenges. But when our mental health is not so good, we might feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed.

What Are Mental Health Research Topics?

Mental health research topics are subjects that scientists and experts study to learn more about our thoughts and emotions. These topics include things like understanding what causes mental health problems, finding better ways to help people who are struggling, and figuring out how to prevent these issues from happening. Researchers also examine how different treatments, like therapy or medication, can help improve mental health.

These research topics are important because they help us learn more about our minds and how to keep them healthy. By studying these topics, scientists can discover new ways to support people who are facing mental health challenges, making it easier for everyone to lead happier and more balanced lives.

5 Useful Tips For Choosing Mental Health Research Topics

Here are some useful tips for choosing mental health research topics:

1. Your research will be more focused and impactful.

2. You will be more likely to find funding and support.

3. You will be more likely to publish your research in peer-reviewed journals.

4. You will be more likely to make a huge contribution to the field of mental health research.

5. You will be more likely to enjoy your research experience.

Choosing the right mental health research topic is essential for success. By following the tips above, you can choose a topic that is focused, impactful, and relevant to your interests and expertise.

150+ Mental Health Research Topics In 2023

In this section, we will explore 150+ mental health research topics on different categories:

Mental Health Research Topics For College Students

College students often face unique mental health challenges. Here are 15 research topics for studying mental health in this demographic:

The impact of academic stress on college students’ mental health.
Exploring the relationship between sleep patterns and mental well-being among college students.
Analyzing the effectiveness of campus mental health services.
Investigating the prevalence of substance abuse and its effects on mental health in college students.
The role of peer support groups in reducing anxiety and depression among college students.
Examining the influence of social media usage on the mental health of college students.
The correlation between mental stress and financial stress issues in college students.
The value of practicing mindfulness and meditation for college students’ mental health.
Getting a better idea of how different cultures affect college students’ mental health.
Trying to figure out how mental health and physical movement affect college students.
Investigating the stigma surrounding mental health issues in college environments.
Analyzing the role of academic pressure in the onset of eating disorders among college students.
The effectiveness of online mental health resources and apps for college students.
Examining the mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ college students.
The impact of COVID-19 and remote learning on the mental health of college students.

Mental Health Research Topics For High School Students

High school students also encounter unique mental health concerns. Here are 15 research topics for studying mental health in this age group:

The effects of academic pressure on the mental health of high school students.
Investigating the role of family dynamics in the emotional well-being of high school students.
Analyzing the impact of bullying and cyberbullying on the mental health of teenagers.
The relationship between social media use and body image issues in high school students.
Examining the effectiveness of mental health education programs in high schools.
Investigating the prevalence of self-harm and suicidal ideation among high school students.
Analyzing the influence of peer relationships on the mental health of adolescents.
The role of extracurricular activities in promoting positive mental health in high school students.
Exploring the effects of substances abuse on the mental well-being of teenagers.
Investigating the stigma surrounding mental health issues in high schools.
The effects of COVID-19 and remote learning on the mental health of high school students.
Examining the mental health challenges faced by immigrant and refugee high school students.
Analyzing the relationship between sleep patterns and mental health in adolescents.
The effectiveness of art and creative therapies in treating mental health issues in high school students.
Investigating the role of teachers and school counselors in supporting students’ mental health.

Mental Health Research Topics For Nursing Students

Nursing students play a vital role in mental health care. Here are 15 research topics relevant to nursing students:

The impact of nursing education on students’ mental health.
Investigating the effectiveness of therapeutic communication in psychiatric nursing.
Analyzing the role of psychiatric medications in mental health treatment.
The importance of self-care practices for nursing students’ mental well-being.
Exploring the challenges faced by nursing students in caring for patients with severe mental illness.
Investigating the influence of nursing curricula on reducing mental health stigma.
Analyzing the role of clinical placements in preparing nursing students for mental health nursing.
The effects of peer support programs on nursing students’ mental health.
Examining the prevalence of burnout and stress among nursing students.
The importance of cultural skills in nursing care for different mental health patients.
Investigating the impact of technology and telehealth on mental health nursing practices.
Analyzing the ethical dilemmas faced by nursing students in mental health care.
Exploring the use of simulation training in psychiatric nursing education.
The effectiveness of mindfulness and stress management programs for nursing students.
Finding out what nursing students think about the healing model in mental health care is the goal of this study.

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Psychology Culture, And Mental Health Research Topics

Psychology and culture intersect in complex ways. Here are 15 research topics in this area:

Cross-cultural variations in the manifestation of mental disorders.
The influence of cultural beliefs on help-seeking behaviors for mental health issues.
Analyzing cultural factors in the diagnosis and treatment of depression.
The effect of acculturation on the mental health of newcomers.
Exploring cultural stigma surrounding mental illness in different societies.
Investigating the role of traditional healing practices in mental health care.
Cross-cultural perspectives on the concept of resilience in mental health.
Analyzing cultural variations in the experience of anxiety disorders.
The role of cultural competence in psychotherapy and counseling.
Exploring indigenous perspectives on mental health and well-being.
The impact of globalization on cultural attitudes toward mental health.
Investigating the influence of religion and spirituality on mental health outcomes.
Analyzing cultural differences in the perception and treatment of eating disorders.
The role of cultural identity in coping with trauma and adversity.
Cross-cultural perspectives on the use of psychotropic medications in mental health treatment.

Community Mental Health Research Topics

Community mental health research is crucial for improving public well-being. Here are 15 research topics in this field:

Evaluating the effectiveness of community-based mental health programs.
Investigating the role of peer support networks in community mental health.
Analyzing the impact of housing instability on mental health in urban communities.
Why early intervention programs are so important for avoiding serious mental illness.
Exploring the use of telemedicine in delivering mental health services to underserved communities.
Investigating the integration of mental health care into primary care settings.
Analyzing the effectiveness of crisis intervention teams in community policing.
The role of community art and creative programs in promoting mental well-being.
Examining the mental health challenges faced by homeless populations.
The impact of community outreach and education on reducing mental health stigma.
Investigating the use of community gardens and green spaces for improving mental health.
Analyzing the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and mental health disparities.
Exploring the role of community leaders and advocates in mental health policy.
The effectiveness of community-based substance abuse treatment programs.
Finding out what part social determinants of health play in the mental health of a community.

Global Mental Health Research Topics

Mental health is a global issue with unique challenges. Here are 15 research topics in global mental health:

Analyzing the burden of mental illness on global public health.
Investigating the cultural variations in mental health stigma worldwide.
The impact of arms conflict and displacement on mental well-being.
Exploring the use of teletherapy for improving access to mental health care in low-resource settings.
Analyzing the role of traditional healers in global mental health care.
Investigating the mental health challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers.
The effectiveness of international mental health aid and interventions.
Examining the mental health implications of weather change and natural disasters.
Analyzing the global prevalence and treatment of common mental disorders.
Exploring the intersection of infectious diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS) and mental health.
Mental Health in Urban Environments: Analyzing the unique challenges faced by individuals living in densely populated urban areas.
Mental Health and Digital Technology: Exploring the impact of digital technology on mental well-being across cultures and age groups.
Mental Health in Indigenous Communities: Investigating mental health disparities among indigenous populations and the role of cultural preservation.
Mental Health in the Workplace: Examining workplace-related stressors and policies to support employees’ mental well-being globally.
Youth Mental Health: Studying mental health challenges among children and adolescents, considering factors like education and family dynamics.

Qualitative Mental Health Research Topics

Qualitative research in mental health can provide rich insights into individuals’ experiences and perceptions. Here are 15 qualitative research topics in mental health:

Exploring the lived experiences of individuals with schizophrenia.
Qualitative analysis of the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.
Understanding the coping mechanisms of parents with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Investigating the narratives of individuals recovering from addiction.
Analyzing the cultural perceptions of depression and its treatment.
Examining the subjective experiences of caregivers of dementia patients.
Discussing the role of spirituality in the recovery process for people with mental illness.
Qualitative assessment of the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on stress reduction.
Investigating the narratives of survivors of suicide attempts.
Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in mental health care.
Analyzing the perceptions of veterans regarding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment.
Exploring the subjective experiences of individuals with eating disorders.
Qualitative assessment of the role of peer support groups in recovery from substance abuse.
Investigating the stigma and barriers faced by individuals with bipolar disorder.
Understanding the cultural variations in perceptions of anxiety disorders.

Interesting Mental Health Research Topics

Fascinating mental health topics can engage researchers and readers alike. Here are 15 intriguing research topics in mental health:

The impact of virtual reality therapy on anxiety and phobias.
Investigating the connection between creativity and mental well-being.
Analyzing the role of pet therapy in reducing stress and anxiety.
Exploring the effects of nature and green spaces on mental health.
The relationship between personality types (e.g., introversion, extroversion) and mental health outcomes.
Investigating the benefits of laughter therapy on mood and stress.
Analyzing the effects of lucid dreaming on nightmares and trauma.
Exploring the mental health benefits of volunteering and altruism.
The impact of time-restricted eating on mood and cognitive function.
Investigating the use of virtual support groups for individuals with social anxiety.
Analyzing the relationship between music and memory in Alzheimer’s disease.
Exploring the mental health effects of color psychology and interior design.
The role of adventure therapy in enhancing self-esteem and resilience.
Investigating the influence of childhood hobbies on adult mental well-being.
Analyzing the connection between humor and emotional intelligence in mental health promotion.

Social Media On Mental Health Research Topics

Social media’s impact on mental health is a timely and relevant research area. Here are 15 research topics on this subject:

Analyzing the relationship between social media use and feelings of loneliness.
Investigating the effects of cyberbullying on adolescent mental health.
The influence of social media comparison on body image dissatisfaction.
Exploring the role of social media in the dissemination of mental health information.
Analyzing the impact of social media detoxes on well-being.
Investigating the link between excessive screen time and sleep disturbances.
The effects of online support communities on mental health recovery.
Exploring the role of influencer culture in shaping mental health perceptions.
Analyzing the relationship between social media activism and mental well-being.
Investigating the impact of “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out) on anxiety levels.
The role of social media in spreading wrong information about mental health.
Exploring the effects of targeted advertising on mental health outcomes.
Analyzing the relationship between online gaming and addictive behaviors.
Investigating the influence of social media on political polarization and mental health.
The role of social media in fostering a sense of community among marginalized groups with mental health issues.

Cool Mental Health Research Topics

Cool mental health topics can pique interest and lead to innovative research. Here are some cool research topics in mental health:

Investigating the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances for mental health treatment.
Analyzing the impact of virtual reality gaming on managing stress and anxiety.
Exploring the use of artificial intelligence and chatbots in mental health counseling.
The effectiveness of mindfulness apps and wearable devices in promoting mental well-being.
Investigating the role of gut microbiota in mood and mental health.
Analyzing the use of neurofeedback technology for improving attention and focus in ADHD.
Exploring the benefits of equine-assisted therapy for individuals with PTSD .
The potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for treating depression.
Investigating the use of art therapy and virtual art galleries for mental health support.
Analyzing the impact of music and sound therapy on sleep quality and anxiety.
Exploring the use of scent and aroma therapy in mood regulation.
The role of biofeedback and wearable sensors in managing panic disorders.
Investigating the mental health benefits of urban gardening and green rooftops.
Analyzing the use of brain-computer interfaces in enhancing emotional regulation.
Exploring the connection between outdoor adventure activities and resilience in mental health recovery.

research title about students mental health

Understanding what mental health is and exploring various mental health research topics is crucial in addressing the challenges individuals face today. Choosing the right topic involves considering your audience and interests, as highlighted in our five tips. With 150+ mental health research topics for 2023, we have provided options for college, high school, and nursing students and those interested in psychology, culture, and global perspectives.

Moreover, qualitative and intriguing topics offer diverse avenues for exploration while acknowledging the impact of social media on mental health is essential. Remember our bonus tips when selecting your mental health research topic – prioritize relevance and impact to make a meaningful contribution to this vital field.

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The development and evolution of the research topic on the mental health of college students: A bibliometric review based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer

Affiliations.

1 School of Marxism, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
2 School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beihang University, Beijing, China.
3 College of Foreign Languages, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
4 School of Management, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
5 Department of Education Information Technology, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
PMID: 38638989
PMCID: PMC11024628
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29477

Background: With the advances in society and in response to changing times, college students have had to face multiple challenges. These challenges frequently affect the mental health of college students, leading to significant consequences for their social lives, personal well-being, and academic achievements, thereby attracting extensive societal attention. Therefore, examining the current status of research topics related to the mental health of college students can assist academia in dissecting the influencing factors and seeking solutions at their source or through early intervention. This can contribute to a better understanding of and effectively address this challenge.

Method: CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to conduct a bibliometric analysis of 1609 journal articles indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database over the past two decades (2000-2022), which helped identify the current state of research and hot topics in the field based on development trends. Furthermore, this study analyzes and discusses the core authors, high-productivity countries and organizations, key journals, and keyword clustering in this field. This study clarifies the current research landscape, analyzes evolving trends based on developmental trajectories, and identifies forefront research hotspots. This study provides scholars with reference research directions and ideas for conducting subsequent studies.

Results: Since the beginning of the 21st century, research on college students' mental health has increased, especially in the past three years, and due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and online distance learning, the number of publications has increased rapidly. With the increase in attention and publication volume, the countries and organizations contributing papers as well as core journals have all started to take shape. Cluster and evolution analyses found that several stable research topics have been formed in this research field, and many new and diverse topics are continuously emerging with time.

Conclusion: and prospect: The findings prove that the field of college students' mental health has begun to take shape, gradually shifting from conceptual research to the implementation of specific interventions. However, whether specific interventions are effective and how effective they are require further investigation.

Keywords: Bibliometrics; CiteSpace; Higher education; Mental health; VOSviewer.

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207 Mental Health Research Topics For Top Students

College and university students pursuing psychology studies must write research papers on mental health in their studies. It is not always an exciting moment for the students since getting quality mental health topics is tedious. However, this article presents expert ideas and writing tips for students in this field. Enjoy!

What Is Mental Health?

It is an integral component of health that deals with the feeling of well-being when one realizes his or her abilities, cope with the pressures of life, and productively work. Mental health also incorporates how humans interact with each other, emote, or think. It is a vital concern of any human life that cannot be neglected.

How To Write Mental Health Research Topics

One should approach the subject of mental health with utmost preciseness. If handled carelessly, cases such as depression, suicide or low self-esteem may occur. That is why students are advised to carefully choose mental health research paper topics for their paper with the mind reader.

To get mental health topics for research paper, you can use the following sources:

The WHO website
Websites of renowned psychology clinics
News reports and headlines.

However, we have a list of writing ideas that you can use for your inspiration. Check them out!

Mental Illness Research Questions

The role of antidepressant medicines in treating mental illnesses
How taxation of alcoholic beverages and their restriction can help in curbing mental illnesses
The impact of mental illnesses on the economic development of a country
Efficient and cost-effective ways of treating mental illnesses
Early childhood interventions to prevent future mental illnesses
Why children from single-parent families are prone to mental illnesses
Do opportunities for early learning have a role in curbing mental diseases?
Life skills programmes that everyone should embrace to fight mental illnesses
The role of nutrition and diet in causing mental illness
How socio-economic empowerment of women can help promote mental health
Practical social support for elderly populations to prevent mental illnesses
How to help vulnerable groups against mental illnesses
Evaluate the effectiveness of mental health promotional activities in schools

Hot Mental Health Topics For Research

Do stress prevention programmes on TV work?
The role of anti-discrimination laws and campaigns in promoting mental health
Discuss specific psychological and personality factors leading to mental disorders
How can biological factors lead to mental problems?
How stressful work conditions can stir up mental health disorders
Is physical ill-health a pivotal contributor to mental disorders today?
Why sexual violence has led many to depression and suicide
The role of life experiences in mental illnesses: A case of trauma
How family history can lead to mental health problems
Can people with mental health problems recover entirely?
Why sleeping too much or minor can be an indicator of mental disorders.
Why do people with mental health problems pull away from others?
Discuss confusion as a sign of mental disorders

Research Topics For Mental Health Counseling

Counselling strategies that help victims cope with the stresses of life
Is getting professional counselling help becoming too expensive?
Mental health counselling for bipolar disorders
How psychological counselling affects victims of mental health disorders
What issues are students free to share with their guiding and counselling masters?
Why are relationship issues the most prevalent among teenagers?
Does counselling help in the case of obsessive-compulsive disorders?
Is counselling a cure to mental health problems?
Why talking therapies are the most effective in dealing with mental disorders
How does talking about your experiences help in dealing with the problem?
Why most victims approach their counsellors feeling apprehensive and nervous
How to make a patient feel comfortable during a counselling session
Why counsellors should not push patients to talk about stuff they aren’t ready to share

Mental Health Law Research Topics

Discuss the effectiveness of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Does the Capacity to Consent to Treatment law push patients to the wall?
Evaluate the effectiveness of mental health courts
Does forcible medication lead to severe mental health problems?
Discuss the institutionalization of mental health facilities
Analyze the Consent to Clinical Research using mentally ill patients
What rights do mentally sick patients have? Are they effective?
Critically analyze proxy decision making for mental disorders
Why some Psychiatric Advance directives are punitive
Discuss the therapeutic jurisprudence of mental disorders
How effective is legal guardianship in the case of mental disorders?
Discuss psychology laws & licensing boards in the United States
Evaluate state insanity defence laws

Controversial Research Paper Topics About Mental Health

Do mentally ill patients have a right to choose whether to go to psychiatric centres or not?
Should families take the elderly to mental health institutions?
Does the doctor have the right to end the life of a terminally ill mental patient?
The use of euthanasia among extreme cases of mental health
Are mental disorders a result of curses and witchcraft?
Do violent video games make children aggressive and uncontrollable?
Should mental institutions be located outside the cities?
How often should families visit their relatives who are mentally ill?
Why the government should fully support the mentally ill
Should mental health clinics use pictures of patients without their consent?
Should families pay for the care of mentally ill relatives?
Do mentally ill patients have the right to marry or get married?
Who determines when to send a patient to a mental health facility?

Mental Health Topics For Discussion

The role of drama and music in treating mental health problems
Explore new ways of coping with mental health problems in the 21 st century
How social media is contributing to various mental health problems
Does Yoga and meditation help to treat mental health complications?
Is the mental health curriculum for psychology students inclusive enough?
Why solving problems as a family can help alleviate mental health disorders
Why teachers can either maintain or disrupt the mental state of their students
Should patients with mental health issues learn to live with their problems?
Why socializing is difficult for patients with mental disorders
Are our online psychology clinics effective in handling mental health issues?
Discuss why people aged 18-25 are more prone to mental health problems
Analyze the growing trend of social stigma in the United States
Are all people with mental health disorders violent and dangerous?

Mental Health Of New Mothers Research Topics

The role of mental disorders in mother-infant bonding
How mental health issues could lead to delays in the emotional development of the infant
The impact of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on postpartum women
Why anxiety and depression are associated with preterm delivery
The role of husbands in attending to wives’ postpartum care needs
What is the effectiveness of screening for postpartum depression?
The role of resilience in dealing with mental issues after delivery
Why marginalized women are more prone to postpartum depression
Why failure to bond leads to mental disorders among new mothers
Discuss how low and middle-income countries contribute to perinatal depression
How to prevent the recurrence of postpartum mental disorders in future
The role of anti-depression drugs in dealing with depression among new mothers
A case study of the various healthcare interventions for perinatal anxiety and mood disorders

What Are The Hot Topics For Mental Health Research Today

Discuss why mental health problems may be a result of a character flaw
The impact of damaging stereotypes in mental health
Why are many people reluctant to speak about their mental health issues?
Why the society tends to judge people with mental issues
Does alcohol and wasting health help one deal with a mental problem?
Discuss the role of bullying in causing mental health disorders among students
Why open forums in school and communities can help in curbing mental disorders
How to build healthy relationships that can help in solving mental health issues
Discuss frustration and lack of understanding in relationships
The role of a stable and supportive family in preventing mental disorders
How parents can start mental health conversations with their children
Analyze the responsibilities of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
The role of a positive mind in dealing with psychological problems

Good Research Topics On Refugees Mental Health

Why do refugees find themselves under high levels of stress?
Discuss the modalities of looking after the mental health of refugees
Evaluate the importance of a cultural framework in helping refugees with mental illnesses
How refugee camp administrators can help identify mental health disorders among refugees
Discuss the implications of dangerous traditional practices
The role of the UNHCR in assisting refugees with mental problems
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among refugees
Dealing with hopelessness among refugees
The prevalence of traumatic experiences in refugee camps
Does cognitive-behavioural therapy work for refugees?
Discuss the role of policy planning in dealing with refugee-mental health problems
Are psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine effective in refugee camps?
Practical groups and in‐group therapeutic settings for refugee camps

Adolescent Mental Health Research Topics

Discuss why suicide is among the leading causes of death among adolescents
The role of acting-out behaviour or substance use in mental issues among adolescents
Mental effects of unsafe sexual behaviour among adolescents
Psychopharmacologic agents and menstrual dysfunction in adolescents
The role of confidentiality in preventive care visits
Mental health disorders and impairment among adolescents
Why adolescents not in school risk developing mental disorders
Does a clinical model work for adolescents with mental illnesses?
The role of self-worth and esteem in dealing with adolescent mental disorders
How to develop positive relationships with peers
Technology and mental ill-health among adolescents
How to deal with stigma among adolescents
Curriculum that supports young people to stay engaged and motivated

Research Topics For Mental Health And Government

Evaluate mental health leadership and governance in the United States
Advocacy and partnerships in dealing with mental health
Discuss mental health and socio-cultural perspective
Management and coordination of mental health policy frameworks
Roles and responsibilities of governments in dealing with mental health
Monitoring and evaluation of mental health policies
What is the essence of a mental health commission?
Benefits of mental well-being to the prosperity of a country
Necessary reforms to the mental health systems
Legal frameworks for dealing with substance use disorders
How mental health can impede the development of a country
The role of the government in dealing with decaying mental health institutions
Inadequate legislation in dealing with mental health problems

Abnormal Psychology Topics

What does it mean to display strange behaviour?
Role of mental health professionals in dealing with abnormal psychology
Discuss the concept of dysfunction in mental illness
How does deviance relate to mental illness?
Role of culture and social norms
The cost of treating abnormal psychology in the US
Using aversive treatment in abnormal psychology
Importance of psychological debriefing
Is addiction a mental disease?
Use of memory-dampening drugs
Coercive interrogations and psychology

Behavioural Health Issues In Mental Health

Detachment from reality
Inability to withstand daily problems
Conduct disorder among children
Role of therapy in behavioural disorders
Eating and drinking habits and mental health
Addictive behaviour patterns for teenagers in high school
Discuss mental implications of gambling and sex addiction
Impact of maladaptive behaviours on the society
Extreme mood changes
Confused thinking
Role of friends in behavioural complications
Spiritual leaders in helping deal with behavioural issues
Suicidal thoughts

Latest Psychology Research Topics

Discrimination and prejudice in a society
Impact of negative social cognition
Role of personal perceptions
How attitudes affect mental well-being
Effects of cults on cognitive behaviour
Marketing and psychology
How romance can distort normal cognitive functioning
Why people with pro-social behaviour may be less affected
Leadership and mental health
Discuss how to deal with anti-social personality disorders
Coping with phobias in school
The role of group therapy
Impact of dreams on one’s psychological behaviour

Professional Psychiatry Research Topics

The part of false memories
Media and stress disorders
Impact of gender roles
Role of parenting styles
Age and psychology
The biography of Harry Harlow
Career paths in psychology
Dissociative disorders
Dealing with paranoia
Delusions and their remedy
A distorted perception of reality
Rights of mental caregivers
Dealing with a loss
Handling a break-up

Consider using our expert research paper writing services for your mental health paper today. Satisfaction is guaranteed!

How would you describe a mentally healthy college student based on Chinese culture? A qualitative research from the perspective of college students

Mingjia Guo 1 ,
Xiaoming Jia 1 &
Wenqian Wang 1

BMC Psychology volume 12 , Article number: 207 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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Promoting college students’ mental health remains a significant concern, necessitating a clear understanding of what constitutes good mental health. Variations in the conceptualizations of mental health across cultures, typically derived from academic and authoritative perspectives, have overlooked insights from laypeople. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of mentally healthy college students within Chinese cultural contexts, emphasizing perspectives provided by college students themselves.

Undergraduates with self-reported mental health scores ≥ 7 were randomly selected for in-depth interviews. The sample ( N = 17, 59% female) had a mean age of 20.82 ± 1.33 years and represented diverse regions, backgrounds, and academic fields. Thematic analysis was used in the analysis of the qualitative data, involving initial coding to identify 168 manifestations of mental health among college students, followed by categorizing them into 18 characteristics through focused coding. These characteristics were then organized into five themes via core coding. The Delphi method was utilized to validate the themes with 3 experts, ensuring the trustworthiness of the final findings.

Eighteen characteristics of mentally healthy college students emerged from the interviews, categorized into 5 themes: (1)Value Pursuit (i.e. Having a sense of responsibility and mission and being willing to dedicate oneself to the country at any time.); (2)Life Attitude (i.e. Staying positive and having the ability and quality to cope with hardships.); (3)Interpersonal Ideals (i.e., Showing filial respect to parents appropriately.); (4)Behavior Ability(i.e., Studying diligently and learning well.); and (5)Self-cultivation (i.e., Possessing good qualities advocated by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism coexist harmoniously.). Most of these characteristics directly reflect traditional Chinese culture or culture that has changed with the times. At the same time, some are a reflection of modern Chinese new culture.

Conclusions

On the whole, the characteristics of mentally healthy college students are diverse and with rich connotations, focusing on the individual’s relationship with the country, family, and others, and are good expressions of Chinese cultural features, such as the balance of Yin and Yang, the coexistence of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, and highlight moral attributes. In essence, these traits hold profound importance in advancing the mental health of Chinese college students.

Peer Review reports

The period of undergraduate study is vital for individual development, physical and mental growth, knowledge reserve, and health literacy development. For undergraduate students, they are in the process of transitioning from late adolescence to early adulthood, navigating various physical, psychological, and social changes [ 1 ]. After entering the university, undergraduates, especially first-year students, are prone to various maladaptation problems due to changes in their living and learning environments [ 2 ]. Notably, a recent nationwide survey of 48,789 undergraduate students from 31 provinces and cities of China showed that 24.17% of undergraduates were at risk of depression, and 49.58% were at risk of anxiety [ 3 ].

Some studies have shown that these psychological problems are related to culture. As a Chinese proverb goes, “Nothing is more important than learning.” Before university, Chinese students focused solely on their studies, with their parents managing all aspects of life [ 4 ]. Consequently, they may lack the ability to independently resolve problems, particularly when confronted with many challenges in university life, often feeling helpless. Furthermore, admission to university is considered an honor to ancestors and a source of pride for parents in Chinese culture [ 5 ]. Attaining good grades and securing an ideal career post-graduation are seen as ways for college students to fulfill their filial duties, like supporting their parents, thus imposing familial and communal pressures.

Cultural influences also play a role in the mental health of college students. Wang et al. (2016) investigated how traditional Chinese philosophies—such as relationship harmony (advocated by Confucianism), dialectical coping (from Taoism), and non-attachment (rooted in Buddhism)—impact college students’ mental health. Their research demonstrated these philosophies’ negative correlation with psychological distress and negative emotions while displaying positive correlations with self-esteem, positive emotions, meaning of life, and happiness [ 6 ]. Another study indicated that Chinese college students scoring higher in Zhongyong thinking exhibit lower anxiety and depressive symptoms, along with higher self-esteem and life satisfaction, versus those with lower scores [ 7 ].

Since culture and mental health are mutually embedded [ 8 ], different cultures may interpret the same things differently. For instance, in Western cultures, pursuing a college education is often viewed as an individual pursuit, whereas in collectivist China, but in China, higher education is commonly sought to elevate social status and offer enhanced financial support to parents, such as securing a comfortable retirement home. In times of conflict, individuals in Chinese society tend to adopt the principle of “taking a step back and yielding vastness and spaciousness to others” [ 9 ], prioritizing long-term harmony over immediate gains by favoring conflict avoidance over confrontation. The values of “harmony is precious” and the practice of “forbearance” are revered in China, whereas in Western societies, it may be considered unhealthy, with individuals opting for direct expression of discontent [ 10 ].

In China, only 8% of the population hold bachelor’s degrees [ 11 ], and college students are seen as the nation’s hope and future [ 12 ], underscoring a heightened focus on their mental health. To enhance the mental health of Chinese college students effectively, it is imperative to grasp the cultural nuances defining mental health across various contexts.

Mental health has always been a focus in the field of psychology. Researchers from diverse backgrounds have extensively investigated mental health within various cultural frameworks. This includes the development of nuanced interpretations and pertinent theories regarding mental health across different cultural settings [ 13 , 14 ]. Moreover, scholars have localized measurement tools through meticulous adaptations [ 1 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] and delved into understanding the impact mechanisms between mental health and its associated determinants [ 18 , 19 ]. In terms of the connotation of mental health, aside from the various approaches of counseling and psychotherapy have their interpretations and definitions of mental health, various organizations and scholars have also put forward different perspectives of mental health from multifaceted viewpoints, clearly demonstrating the impact of culture.

According to the Concise Encyclopaedia Britannica, mental health is defined as “the state of optimal functioning of the individual psyche within the limits of its own and environmental conditions, but not as an absolute state of perfection” [ 20 ]. Meeks and Heit describe mental health as “the ability to perceive and express one’s emotions and state of mind; mental health is the ability to accept reality as it is” [ 21 ]. Meanwhile, Ryan and Deci propose that mental health involves “the ability to feel effective and agile, e.g., to have full self-fulfillment” [ 22 ]. The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to his or her community” [ 23 ]. These definitions illustrate how Western culture emphasizes individual capabilities, states of being, and overall well-being, focusing on fulfilling potential, fostering self-esteem, and reflecting a culture centered on the individual.

In the Dictionary of Psychology (Chinese version), mental health was defined as “a good state in which the individual’s mental state (e.g., general adaptability, soundness of personality) remains normal or at a good level, and in which harmony is maintained within the self (e.g., self-awareness, self-control, self-experience) and between the self and the environment” [ 24 ]. According to Zhang and Yang, mental health contains objective and subjective components [ 25 ]. An individual’s mental health is mainly expressed by the relationship between the individual and others in a group, so it contains social meaning. Hu suggests that mental health is about “following one’s heart and not exceeding the rules,” which has both its individual (developmental and autonomous) and social (adaptive and normative) aspects [ 26 ]. Yip defines mental health as a direction that suggests self-discipline and obedience to social order to maintain inner balance and external harmony with others [ 27 ]. Specifically, individuals can maintain this balance and harmony across three levels: personal, interpersonal, and moral/ethical. These definitions underscore Chinese scholars’ emphasis on the social aspects of the individual in conjunction with the proper functioning of mental faculties. They highlight Chinese culture’s focus on harmony, interpersonal relationships, societal connections, and moral/ethical considerations.

In summary, concepts and understandings of mental health are closely tied to culture [ 28 ], reflecting that the connotations of mental health defined by different cultural contexts can vary to some extent. Then, how is mental health related to culture? The theory of sociocultural models (TSCM) provides a perspective on the interaction between culture and the individual mind [ 29 ].

The primary thesis of the theory of sociocultural models (TSCM) is that the human mind and culture mutually constitute each other. During continued interactions, individuals internalize the social culture into their psychological realities to regulate their actions and interactions. Conversely, community members will externalize the psychological reality through enactment and instantiation, creating new social cultures through social interactions and co-construction with the existing social culture. The dialectical interactions of these two aspects constitute the mechanism of the sociocultural regulation of human actions and the construction of the sociocultural reality [ 29 ]. Consequently, social culture dictates varying expectations for mental health standards, while the characteristics associated with mental health are also culturally rooted and reflect social culture. Simultaneously, societal depictions of mentally healthy individuals contribute to the evolution of novel cultural norms in a reciprocal manner.

The Chinese culture has a long history of rich mental health concepts deeply rooted in philosophies such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Confucianism seeks to go into the society( Rushi ), i.e., “To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the populace, to carry on lost teachings of ancient sages, to build peace for posterity” (Zhang Zai: Heng Qu Yi Shuo ). When encountering setbacks, Confucianism advocates being adaptable to circumstances and maintaining mental health by being resilient and motivated. Taoism seeks to transcend the world( Chaoshi ) and advocates “letting go.”When encountering difficulties, people maintain mental health by going with the flow and doing what they should do. The philosophy also underscores the importance of balancing Yin and Yang, enabling individuals to perceive challenges holistically by acknowledging both positive and negative aspects. Buddhism seeks to jump out of the material world( Chushi ) and advocate “being free of worried thoughts” when encountering difficulties. As Hui Neng(the Sixth Patriarch of Zen) said in the Tan Jing, “Since everything is naught, where can dust gather?” Individuals can cope better with difficulties if they have a mindset that looks down on gains and losses and that everything is nothingness.

Popular anecdotes and proverbs in Chinese culture also dictate criteria for individuals’ mental health. For instance, the “Three Feet of Space” tale narrates an incident from ancient China where the Guo family faced a boundary dispute with their neighbor during house construction. Upon hearing of this issue, patriarch Guo Pu wisely proposed, “Sending letters a thousand miles just for a wall; why not give him three feet?” This led to the Guo family’s compromise, and finally, both families conceded three feet of space from their walls. This narrative underscores the cultural emphasis on fostering interpersonal harmony through mutual accommodation, viewing discordant relationships as signs of poor mental health.

Contemporary scholars have also endeavored to directly integrate key concepts from Chinese traditional culture into psychological counseling and therapy. Yang and his colleagues(2002) [ 30 ] created Taoist Cognitive Therapy to facilitate cognitive restructuring in psychologically distressed individuals by directly applying the 32 characteristics of the Taoist principle of health, that is: “Benefit without harm, but not disputing; abstinent contentment with little selfishness and desire; under the knowledge and the place, let gentleness overcome rigidity; recover the original simplicity, let it be.” Liu(2023) posits that “unity of universe and human” in Chinese culture is a core idea of mental health [ 31 ]. He pointed out that the psychological phenomenon corresponding to this concept is psychological nothingness. By fusing modern psychotherapy with the concept of “unity of universe and human,” Liu developed the technique of “Moving symptom’s symbol to nothingness” to fulfill the healing role of Chinese culture. These endeavors establish a robust framework for comprehending mental health through the lens of Chinese cultural perspectives.

Over the years, numerous scholars have delved into the attributes of mentally healthy college students. Prominent among these is Wang and Zhang’s widely recognized framework, which outlines eight characteristics drawing from personal experience: understanding and accepting oneself; accepting others and dealing well with them; facing reality squarely and accepting it; loving life and enjoying work; being able to coordinate and control emotions and being in a good state of mind; having a complete and harmonious personality; having normal intelligence; and having age-appropriate mental behavior [ 32 ]. However, this work has predominantly focused on psychological cognition, emotion, and intention, with limited consideration of the cultural context, particularly the influence of Chinese culture on mental health.

Subsequently, scholars such as Zeng and Lei, incorporating social, ethical, and moral perspectives, proposed a culturally nuanced framework emphasizing four main traits in mentally healthy college students: positive and controllable emotions, good moral values, comfortable coping with schoolwork, and healthy social interaction [ 33 ]. While valuable, this perspective primarily mirrors researchers’ subjective experiences and authority-driven viewpoints. It neglects insights from laypeople, omits identification of the aspects of Chinese culture showcasing characteristics of mentally healthy college students, and lacks differentiation between mentally healthy college students and other demographic groups. Consequently, there is a demand for exploring innovative methodologies to scrutinize the attributes of mentally healthy college students, particularly focusing on characteristics within Chinese culture.

Currently, there are various research paradigms for the study of mental health. Jiang (2004) categorized them and concluded that there are two main principles in evaluating mental health: the majority principle and the elite principle [ 34 ]. The majority principle refers to a research paradigm that selects research subjects through large samples and measures whether individuals deviate from the norm through the principle of statistical normal distribution [ 35 ]. An example is applying the Chinese version of Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), one of the most often used self-report symptom inventories to measure the mental health of college students, and individuals scoring exceeding the norm were considered abnormal [ 36 ].

The elite principle refers to a research paradigm that focuses on elite samples, namely a small number of relatively outstanding individuals in the whole population who are at the tip of one side of the normal distribution, and primarily employs qualitative research methods to derive research findings [ 35 ]. For example, Maslow researched some great people in Western history( i.e., self-actualized people) using qualitative research methods such as biographical analysis, depicted 15 characteristics of self-actualized people, that is, “more efficient perception of reality and more comfortable relations with it,” “acceptance (self, others, nature),” “spontaneity; simplicity; naturalness,” “problem centering,” “the quality of detachment; the need for privacy,” “continued freshness of appreciation,” “autonomy; independence of culture and environment; will; active agents,” “the mystic experience: the peak experience,” “gemeinschaftsgefuhl,” “interpersonal relations,” “the democratic character structure,” “discrimination between means and ends, between good and evil,” “philosophical, unhostile sense of humor,” “creativeness,” “resistance to enculturation; the transcendence of any particular culture” [ 37 ].

Maslow’s findings profoundly influenced research on mental health definitions, standards, and interventions. While some researchers have embraced the characteristics of self-actualized people as an ideal standard of mental health [ 38 ], others have leveraged these characteristics by focusing on exceptional psychological qualities rather than normative behavioral performance [ 39 ], and many of these characteristics have been used as ideal indicators of mental health for the promotion of mental health among college students [ 40 ]. Additionally, these characteristics and the conditions that promote or inhibit self-actualization are also applied in methods and paths of healthy human development [ 41 ]. Furthermore, specific characteristics such as a “philosophical, unhostile sense of humor” have been directly applied by researchers to enhance humor quality among college students facing stress and embarrassment, aiming to uphold their mental well-being [ 42 ].

Despite significant value in both theory and practice, Maslow’s study is based on the Western culture and is not aimed at a specific group of college students. Consequently, its direct relevance to enhancing the mental well-being of Chinese college students may be limited, necessitating further investigation into mental health within the framework of Chinese culture. Nonetheless, Maslow’s study of the elite samples of self-actualized people also provides a new research paradigm for mental health research, which has greatly inspired this study.

In the past, most studies on the mental health of college students used quantitative studies based on the majority principle. While some qualitative studies inquiries delved into the characteristics of mentally healthy college students, these studies often focused on specific subgroups like those who experienced being left behind [ 43 ] or childhood trauma [ 44 ]. A gap exists in the mental health characteristics based on the Chinese culture of college students who are the elite samples, i.e., those who exhibit very good mental health. By utilizing the elite principle paradigm, researchers can gain insights into and depict the mental health characteristics of college students within the context of Chinese culture, with the ultimate aim of delineating the mental health characteristics of college students specific to this cultural framework.

This study will apply the elite principle to examine college students with very good mental health. Through a distinctly Chinese cultural lens, this research aims to delineate what mentally healthy college students look like and what characteristics they show. By focusing on college students’ personal experiences and Chinese culture, this study positions college students as knowledge generators, employing a qualitative research approach to uncover the characteristics of mentally healthy college students. The objective is to achieve a new understanding of college students’ mental health based on Chinese culture and provide a theoretical basis for new mental health standards and a reference for promoting, cultivating, and intervening in college students’ mental health.

In this study, mental health refers to the good psychological state of an individual. College students refer to the group of students who are receiving professional higher education. Chinese culture refers to the culture created by the Chinese over thousands of years of development, from ancient times to the present [ 45 ].

The study applied a participatory, exploratory, qualitative design. Qualitative methods are suitable for exploring the meaning of phenomena or life events to the interviewees and their inherent experiences from the subjectivity of the interviewees [ 46 ]. It also emphasizes the participants as a generator of knowledge and the acquisition of significant experiences from the participants [ 47 ]. Thus, it can help researchers to gain a deeper understanding of community members in a specific cultural-historical context. Moreover, qualitative methods hold particular promise for prioritizing participants’ voices, and they contribute to understanding human interaction with the environment in development and helping researchers build and expand new concepts and theories in specific cultural-historical contexts [ 48 ]. This study used semi-structured individual in-depth interviews to explore the characteristics of mentally healthy college students based on Chinese culture. Moreover, the procedure of the study is shown in Fig. 1 .

The procedure of the study

The development of the interview outline

The qualitative data for this study was collected through semi-structured interviews. Interviews serve as a tool to help reveal and understand participants’ perspectives and experiences. The interview outline for this study was based on the theory of sociocultural models [ 29 ], focusing on how the interviewed college students understood Chinese culture and which cultures were internalized as characteristics of mentally healthy college students.

The interview outline in the pre-interview includes questions such as “What do you think is mental health? What do you think a ‘mentally healthy’ college student is like? You can use yourself or your classmates as examples.” “What do you think is Chinese culture? What is your understanding of Chinese culture?” “What do you think is related to college students’ mental health in Chinese culture?” (Appendix 1 ).

Participant recruitment and selection

The selection criteria for the participants were: i) undergraduate students enrolled in colleges; ii) having a very good psychological status, with a self-assessment of mental health of 7 or more (out of 10); and iii) self-assessment anxiety/depression scores within the normal range.

The study recruited participants through postings in contact groups and forums among different colleges. Undergraduates who satisfied the selection criteria volunteered to participate in the study. At the time of self-referral, enrolled students rated their mental health with the term “Out of ten, how would you rate your mental health?” as well as filled out self-rated anxiety and depression scales [ 49 , 50 ].

The reasons for considering selection criteria are as follows. Firstly, the research objective is to identify the mental health characteristics of college students with good mental health. Therefore, following the elite principle and referencing Maslow’s self-actualization research paradigm [ 37 ], we have chosen exceptionally mentally healthy college students as elite samples for study. Given that statistical analysis commonly regards the top 27% as the criterion for high-score groups [ 51 , 52 ], a score of 7 out of 10 indicates high mental health levels. Consequently, the study interviewed college students scoring at least 7 points. Secondly, to eliminate individuals with significant biases in the self-assessment of mental health and those potentially experiencing psychological issues, we utilized scores from self-rating scales for depression and anxiety to exclude possible candidates with underlying psychological disorders.

Eventually, 17 college students who met the criteria were selected for interviews in this study. The selection of participants considered factors that might influence college students to develop different understandings of Chinese cultures, such as upbringing, family environment, and educational experiences. The total number of participants was determined based on thematic saturation, i.e., no significant themes emerged with new respondents [ 53 , 54 ]. Finally, 17 undergraduate students volunteered to participate in the formal interviews, and the self-reported mental health score of the interviewees was 8.11(SD = 0.90) (out of 10). Among the participants, seven were male, and ten were female. Their ages ranged from 19 to 23 years old (mean age = 20.82, SD = 1.33 years), five interviewees were from Double World-Class Project Universities in China, and 5 were first-year students, two sophomores, eight juniors, and two seniors. Participants came from different regions of China; 4 grew up in north China, 1 in northwest China, 2 in southwest China, 2 in south China, 1 in east China, and 7 in central China; 1 from an ethnic minority. 65% were from urban areas, and 29% had no siblings. Additional information on parents’ education level and occupation is shown in Table 1 .

After the interviews, participants were thanked for their participation and contribution and were offered 30 RMB (about 4 dollars) for participating.

The finalization of the interview outline

Before the formal interviews, three college students (one male and two female) who met the selection criteria were pre-interviewed, and the interview outline was adjusted based on the pre-interviews. Specifically, the researchers adjusted ambiguous expressions. For example, in the pre-interview, the researchers found that if they asked the interviewees, “What do you think is related to college students’ mental health in Chinese culture?” They answered how Chinese culture affects college students’ mental health rather than the characteristics of mentally healthy college students based on Chinese culture. Therefore, we adjusted the question to “What a ‘mentally healthy’ college student is like based on Chinese culture? You can take yourself or your classmates as an example” to obtain the characteristics of mental health that reflect Chinese culture. A formal interview outline was eventually formed (Appendix 2 ).

Data collection and analysis

The qualitative data was collected through in-depth personal interviews with eligible college students. Each interview lasted between 50- 100 min and was conducted by the researcher (MG), who possessed a doctoral background in psychology, had received training in qualitative research methods, and had three years of experience working in mental health education in universities. All participants signed informed consent forms prior to the interviews. In total, 1252 min of interviews were conducted with 17 participants, which were then manually transcribed by MG, resulting in 289,000 words of interview transcripts.

To accurately ascertain the true meaning expressed by the participants, this study employed manual analysis within the research team to code and analyze the interview transcripts word by word and sentence by sentence. Under the guidance of XJ (a clinical and counseling psychology professor), the research team completed all data analysis work. In addition to MG and WW, the team members included two doctoral students who are also full-time university psychological counselors and two master’s students specializing in mental health education.

The data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis [ 55 ]. The steps are as follows: first, the researcher transcribed each of the digitally recorded interviews, immersed within the data, and repeatedly read through the 289,000-word interview transcripts. Second, researchers identified meaningful texts and created open codes. Each meaningful sentence was marked with a “code number,” totaling 1,889. The study used “F” to represent female interviewees and “M” for male participants. The first number represents the interview orders of interviewees; the second number represents the order of the meaningful statements in the interview. For example, “M5-40” represents the 40th word, sentence, or paragraph spoken by the fifth male interviewee. Third, after contemplating the open codes repeatedly, 168 manifestations of mentally healthy college students were derived through initial coding. These manifestations were then summarized to establish 18 characteristics of psychologically healthy university students via focused coding. Subsequently, these 18 characteristics were further classified through core coding to derive five main themes. Fourth, we checked the themes and adjusted their structure until they met internal homogeneity and external heterogeneity criteria. Fifth, we defined and named the themes; 18 characteristics were obtained and coded into five themes.

The Delphi expert evaluation

Subsequently, three experts were invited to assess the appropriateness of naming, defining, and classifying the identified 18 characteristics and five themes above. These experts are professors in clinical and counseling psychology from institutions such as Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, with in-depth research in Chinese culture and mental health. They have published numerous related monographs and academic papers, such as “When Psychological Counseling Meets Traditional Culture” and “Mind Operations in Meditation.”

The evaluation comprised two rounds. The first round involved a focused group interview where the three experts individually reviewed each theme, characteristic, and original interview data, offering suggestions for revision. They generally approved of the theme divisions and most characteristics, with two main modifications: 1) the integration and categorization of specific characteristics, such as the initial characteristic “Having a pleasant disposition,” which was deemed by experts to contribute to a comfortable interpersonal state and thus was incorporated into “Interpersonal harmony and comfort.” 2) Adjustments to specific nomenclature, such as refining “Showing filial respect to parents” to “Showing filial respect to parents appropriately” to better emphasize the nuance of the characteristic.

The revised results were resent to the three experts for a second round of evaluation, leading to a consensus with no further modifications suggested, thus finalizing the research findings.

The trustworthiness of the data

Trustworthiness was achieved in several ways.

First, to minimize personal biases to the greatest extent possible, the researchers continuously reflect at each stage of the research project, remaining attentive to the influence of their own experiences and biases throughout all research and analysis phases. For instance, MG utilized a reflective journal [ 56 ] to document personal perspectives after each interview, consistently reminding herself to avoid preconceived notions.

Second, the selection of participants considered factors that might influence college students to develop different understandings of Chinese cultures to ensure the diversity of the participants. And, the total number of participants was determined based on thematic saturation [ 53 , 54 ]. In this study, after interviewing the F8(the 14th interviewee), no new significant themes emerged. Then, three more interviews were conducted (F9, F10, M7), and no significant themes emerged with the new respondents.

Third, the research performed investigator triangulation [ 57 ]. Independent researchers completed comparative analyses of individual findings, organized regular research team meetings to compare the analyses, and identified relevant themes. Moreover, XJ frequently reviewed interviews conducted by MG, her reactions to interviews, and the formulation of results. All the researchers discussed the coding and the corresponding original text until a consensus was obtained to bolster the study’s credibility and dependability.

Fourth, external audits are conducted to foster the accuracy or validity of a research study [ 57 ]. The research invited three experts above who have made achievements in Chinese culture and mental health to assess the appropriateness of naming, defining, and classifying the characteristics and themes in order to enhance the reliability of research findings.

College students’ understanding of Chinese culture

The interviewees’ understanding of Chinese culture was focused on the following four main aspects, and the participant’s identifier follows quotations.

Firstly, Chinese culture is undoubtedly distinct from other countries. For example, F1 believes that “Chinese culture is not just some fixed dynasties in history, or language, or what some literati or educators or some people said, it refers to some patterns of behavior or some ideas that distinguish people from other countries” (F1-66) and is unique to China (M3-110).

Secondly, Chinese culture includes both traditional and modern Chinese new cultures (e.g., revolutionary spirit, M2-95, M4-151, M7-85). Moreover, it is argued that Chinese culture is the essence of what has been left behind through history, including all aspects that have been handed down from ancient times to the present (M1-99; M5-128), and that it is a continuous transmission (F2-72, F4-92, F5-170, F7-137; F9-181; M6-132) and a fusion of the old and the new (F7-142). Chinese culture is implicitly formed and constantly influences and permeates everyone or their lives (F3-134; F7-138; M1-102; M3-111).

Thirdly, Chinese culture is a macro concept, encompassing both intangible and physical aspects. Intangible aspects include thoughts, spirits, and qualities (M2-95, M4-151, M5-131). The physical component includes not only literary works such as poetry (as perceived by all respondents) but also Chinese language and writing (Chinese characters, F2-75; oracle bone inscriptions, F9-184; calligraphy, F2-77, F5-170, F8-94), architecture (F3-148; F10-98), costume (F3-141; F10-101), and folkloric performances (drama, F2 -74; shadow puppets, F5-168; martial arts, F7-141), gastronomy (M5-132), art (painting, F8-93; paper-cutting, M1-100, M2-96, F5-169; china, M2-97; F2-75), traditional festivals and customs (M3-107; F3-138; F5-166; F7-140; F0-97. M7-87) and many others.

Fourthly, some important historical and modern figures mainly reflect Chinese culture’s ideological and spiritual aspects. For example, the famous statesman and literary figure Wen Tianxiang of the late Southern Song dynasty, whose poems “Everyone must die; let me but leave a loyal heart shining in the pages of history books” showed the interviewees his righteousness (M4-122), resilient, his moral integrity (F6-77), and his fearlessness in dedicating his life to his country (M2-72). There is also Zhou Enlai’s ambitious pursuit of “Reading for the rise of China” (M4-62), Mao Zedong’s sense of family and country and the importance he attached to learning (M5-43), and Qian Xuesen’s strict demands on himself during his research (M4-126). The interviewees also made many references to literary figures, such as Li Bai, a poet of the Tang dynasty, whom several interviewees mentioned for his free and ease in the face of frustration (M2-92, M6-30), and his ability to show his spontaneous side in life and learn things spontaneously(M5-54). As well as the ambition of Du Fu showed in his poem “When you are standing on the peak, you are on top of the world” (M5-36), and his sense of responsibility (M1-91, F3-56) reflected in his other poem, “To Emperor Yao and Shun, and to make the customs simple again” (M1-91, F3-56). They also talked about Su Shi’s open-mindedness (F8-79; M6-9) and cheerfulness (M5-29) in the face of adversity, who is a famous poet, calligrapher, gourmet, and hydraulic expert in the Northern Song Dynasty; and also the inner peace(M6-15) and indifference (F3-53) of Tao Yuanming (a famous idyllic poet in the Eastern Jin Dynasty) from his poem “I pick fence side asters at will; carefree I see the southern hill,” and so on.

In addition, the spirit of Chinese culture is also reflected in some allusions and some historical events in ancient and modern times, for example, “Mencius’ mother moves her home three times to better her son’s education” (F1-60), “Che Yin makes use of the light of fireflies or the reflected light by the snow to study” and “Kuang Heng dug a small hole on the wall in order to get some light from the neighbor’s house to read books” (F1-61; F8-34). These allusions convey the importance of studying hard even when conditions are limited. Also, the revolutionary spirit of the May Fourth Movement shows that young people are not afraid of sacrifice (M4-29), and the New Democratic and Industrial Revolution embodied the unity of the Chinese people (M7-91).

Characteristics of mentally healthy college students based on Chinese culture

There are eighteen characteristics of mentally healthy college students based on participants’ understanding of Chinese culture as described above, which is coded into five core themes: (1) value pursuit, (2) life attitude, (3) interpersonal ideal, (4) behavior ability, and (5) self-cultivation. It can be seen that the vast majority of the mental health characteristics reflect traditional Chinese culture, which is constantly being passed down and changed, with the remainder reflecting the influence of modern Chinese culture. The five themes and corresponding characteristics are shown in Table 2 . The results are presented below, and the participant’s identifier follows quotations.

Value pursuit

Value pursuit refers to an individual’s understanding and practice of life ideals and beliefs after integrating social consciousness, such as worldview, life view, and values. Participants described that mentally healthy college students based on Chinese culture have strong beliefs and goal pursuits of contributing to the motherland. They exhibit profound loyalty towards their motherland, viewing its service as their sacred duty, and are steadfast in their resolve to contribute through bold exploration, even in the face of daunting challenges or the prospect of personal sacrifice. This theme directly reflects the Chinese Confucian culture of “Self-cultivation is the starting point of several steps moving outward. The next step is managing family affairs, followed by governing the state. The final step is moving to provide peace and sound governance to all under heaven” and “To be the first in the country to worry about the affairs of the state and the last to enjoy oneself.” The following three subthemes were identified regarding students’ value pursuit.

(1) Loving their motherland and identifying with their culture

First and foremost, mentally healthy college students love their country and are firmly convinced that they want to identify with it. Twelve interviewees emphasize that mentally healthy college students should embody love for their country, cultural identification, and a profound sense of belonging and national pride. On the one hand, they are patriotic and loyal to their motherland and have high moral characters. For example, one participant said, “ like the patriotism in Yue Fei (a famous military man, strategist, calligrapher, poet, and national hero in Chinese history, and was the first of the Four generals rebuilding the Song dynasty). His patriotism and loyalty are also what a mentally healthy college student should have ” (#M6-54).

On the other hand, they identify with the country, nation, and culture from the heart and are proud of the motherland. Another participant said, “ Mentally healthy college students should have a real sense of cultural identity. Furthermore, a Chinese should identify with the traditional Chinese culture …… ” (#F3-110).

(2) Having a sense of responsibility and mission and being willing to dedicate oneself to the country at any time

In addition, mentally healthy college students have a firm sense of mission and responsibility to the motherland. Ten interviewees assert that mentally healthy college students should exhibit a sense of national responsibility, ambitious aspirations, and a readiness to devote themselves to their homeland wholeheartedly. Mentally healthy college students should have ambitious ambitions. As M1-75 said: “ ‘To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the populace, to carry on lost teachings of ancient sages, to build peace for posterity’ (Zhang Zai: Heng Qu Yi Shuo), which can also reflect the looks of a mentally healthy college student. ”

The most important thing is to be willing to contribute to their motherland, even at the expense of oneself. Another participant said, “ Mentally healthy college students do not think about personal gains and losses too much but put their country and nation before themselves, ……, ‘Death is not my concern should it benefit the country. How can I pick and choose for my loss or gains?’ (Lin Zexu) …… ” (#M7-22).

(3) Daring to criticize, explore, and innovate

At the same time, mentally healthy college students have the quest and conviction to keep climbing to the top. Sixteen interviewees believe that mentally healthy college students are enterprising, daring to criticize, explore, and innovate to contribute to their country’s development. Mentally healthy college students are active, enterprising, and have goals and plans. One participant said, “ I think mentally healthy college students should have goals and plans for themselves ” (#M6-3). They also have critical thinking and exploratory spirit and will keep innovating. As F7 said, “ If you are a mentally healthy college student, you also need some innovative spirit to break through …… ” (#F7-59). Also, they are willing to explore and contribute to the country’s development, as M4 said: “ Mentally healthy college students should be like Qian Xuesen (also known as Tsien Hsue-she), who has a strong spirit of patriotism. He devoted himself to scientific research, and after countless attempts and explorations, he finally launched the first atomic bomb for China …… ” (#M4-124).

Life Attitude

Life attitude is an individual’s understanding and reaction to things that happen in daily life. Participants highlighted that maintaining a positive, optimistic, dialectical, and open-minded stance towards setbacks and challenges is a key characteristic of mentally healthy college students. This theme directly reflects Chinese culture: “Someday, with my sail piercing the clouds, I will mount the wind, break the waves, and traverse the vast, rolling sea.” and “It is blessed to suffer losses.” The following four subthemes regarding students’ life attitudes were identified.

(1) Loving life and being positive

Mentally healthy college students hold positive attitudes about life. Fourteen interviewees believe that mentally healthy college students exhibit optimistic attitudes toward life. Mentally healthy college students approach life optimistically, viewing it as brimming with hope. As F9 mentioned, “ I think I am mentally healthy because I am quite positive and optimistic about life, and I will face it positively even if there are some bad things ” (#F9-149). Moreover, they love life and experience life from their heart, “ I think mentally healthy college students can live a good life. Particularly, they can still maintain a love for life, have something they want to do, have the energy to fight or to live. ” (#M2-2). They always think life is full of meaning. As F1 said, “ I think some of the cases (of mental ill health) are because they have lost hope in life and do not want to do anything ” (#F1-47).

(2) Staying positive and having the ability and quality to cope with hardships

Mentally healthy college students possess a positive attitude towards suffering and setbacks. All interviewees believe that mentally healthy college students have a positive view and the qualities of coping with suffering when facing life difficulties. They will not shy away from adversity; instead, they proactively address issues, surmount obstacles, and manage them with composure. When facing difficulties or setbacks, mentally healthy college students maintain constructive beliefs. As one participant said: “ ‘Just as heaven keeps moving forward vigorously, a man of virtue should strive continuously to strengthen himself’ (The Change of Book). And ‘When Heaven intends to confer a great responsibility upon a person, it first visits his mind and will with suffering, toils his sinews and bones, subjects his body to hunger, exposes him to poverty and confounds his projects. Through this, his mind is stimulated, his nature strengthened, and his inadequacies repaired’ (Mencius). A mentally healthy college student should be like as described in these statements. ” (#F9-25).

They also exhibit the qualities to cope with hardships, such as striving continuously to strengthen themselves, being indomitable, resilient, enterprising, and so on. “ I think indomitable also reflects the self-control mentioned earlier, that is, they will not give up even after experiencing more difficulties ” (#M4-136).

Furthermore, they can analyze and resolve problems amid adversity and challenges, effectively overcoming them. “ For a long time, when my friends and I encounter setbacks, crises, or challenges, I always use this phrase to encourage myself and others to handle it calmly, ‘to be unchanged in front of the collapse of the mountain Tai, and to face danger without being surprised when it suddenly comes in front of you.’ ” (#M7-6).

(3) Being flexible and dialectical

Mentally healthy college students have a dialectical attitude towards life. Ten interviewees noted that mentally healthy college students demonstrate critical thinking skills by approaching situations objectively, comprehensively, and dialectically. These dialectical concepts, attitudes, and behaviors when facing negative things in life are also characteristics of mentally healthy college students. One participant said, “ Mentally healthy college students should be as objective and comprehensive as possible when dealing with things ” (#F3-118). They do not dwell on the present and have a positive attitude toward the future, “ There are plenty of fish in the sea. Do not miss the whole forest because of a tree. Even if you are sad about a breakup, do not cling to the past, but try to live a new life ” (#M7-12).

Furthermore, they think dialectically and believe that all sufferings have its reward. As F1 said: “ A saying goes that ‘Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You,’ which means that it is not always bad to suffer Loss; think long term. For example, one may sometimes feel that their interests are being threatened in interpersonal relationships. However, if they are particularly concerned about this, it will make them uncomfortable, while if they are generous or forgiving, their heart will become more open ” (#F1-24).

(4) Being inclusive and broad-minded

Mentally healthy college students have an open-minded attitude toward life. Sixteen interviewees believe mentally healthy college students are tolerant, broad-minded, and open-minded. Both for themselves and others, mentally healthy college students hold tolerant attitudes. A participant said, “ I may lack a little tolerance for others because I am always strict with myself, so I may sometimes be strict with others. So, from this point of view, I think my mental health level needs to be further improved ” (#M2-79). They are broad-minded (“ Be magnanimous, as the saying goes, ‘A prime minister’s mind should be broad enough for poling a boat,’ which is a sign of college students’ mental health, advising people to look at whatever things a little more openly ”, #F6-34).

Moreover, even in the face of life’s misfortunes, they are also very liberal and open-minded, able to accept them openly. As M6 mentioned, “ One should also have positive and healthy perceptions. Su Shi, a famous poet, calligrapher, gourmet, and hydraulic expert in the Northern Song Dynasty, openly accepted the fact that he was deprived of his official position. Instead of being depressed daily, he lived an easy and interesting life, free and relaxed ” (#M6-9).

Interpersonal ideal

Interpersonal ideals refer to the pursuit and aspiration of individuals to achieve the best in interpersonal communication and good relationships. According to these interviewees, the characteristics of mentally healthy college students can be divided into general and specific interpersonal relationships. Regarding general interpersonal relationships, mentally healthy college students are friendly and kind, and their interactions with others are harmonious and comfortable. When navigating specific relationships like those with parents, they are filial but have rational thinking; in terms of friendship and romantic partnerships, they pursue ideal and pure relationships. This theme is a direct reflection of Chinese culture: “benevolence,” “harmony is precious,” “The relations between men of virtue are plain like water,” “filial piety,” and so on. The following four subthemes were identified regarding students’ interpersonal ideals.

1） Being benevolent and kind

Mentally healthy college students are benevolent and kind in their interactions with others. Thirteen interviewees believe mentally healthy college students are kind-hearted, compassionate, sincere, caring, and helping others without discrimination. Mentally healthy college students are benevolent and have compassion for others; as M7 mentioned, “ When I met beggars on the road, …… whether they are pretending or be, I am always willing to give them some money…… ” (#M7-54). They are kind-hearted (“ I think a person should be at least kind-hearted; he may have that kind of empathy inside, have that kind of emotion for either other people or animals, ……, and have a softer heart, which also reflects the mental health of college students ,” #F6-45). They treat people gently and friendly (“ Laozi and Confucius look gentler than others, I feel that this characteristic in them also indicates the mental health of college students ,” #M3-73).

Furthermore, they are helpful and kind to others. As one participant said, “ Imagine this: You’re in a crowd, and a bike tumbles to the ground. Everyone is looking around, unsure of what happened. Now, you’re caught in a bind: Should you lend a hand or stay back to avoid being wrongly accused? Despite the chance of misunderstanding, I feel it’s crucial to step up and help. Ignoring the situation just doesn’t sit right with me—it goes against everything I believe in. ” (#F5-161).

2） Interpersonal harmony and comfort

Mentally healthy college students have a harmonious and comfortable interpersonal state. All interviewees agree that mentally healthy college students exhibit pleasant character and interpersonal adeptness, adhere to fundamental Chinese cultural values, and maintain a more harmonious and comfortable relational environment compared to their peers. Mentally healthy college students experience interpersonal harmony and comfort; one interviewee said, “ A mentally healthy college student has better interpersonal relationships, ……and has a comfortable social state ” (#F1-17). In interpersonal interaction, they prioritize harmony (“ I quite agree with the saying ‘Peace is of paramount importance. Since we are studying together, it is important to take care of each other and try to understand each other ”, #M3-49). Besides, they have good interpersonal interactions (“ ones’ mental health, I think, also shows more in whether they can deal with interpersonal relationships with people around them, …… whatever kind of people may meet, they can deal with the relationship well ”, #F6-9).

Moreover, they appreciate others (“ If other people have gained a certain amount of academic achievement, …… if he is (mentally) healthy, he may be happy for others’ success, achievement ”, #M7-33). Also, they can resolve conflicts or contradictions in interpersonal relationships (“ There is no perfect person; for example, if they cause harm to others, they can recognize their mistakes and apologize timely and honestly ,” #M6-101).

Furthermore, they follow many guidelines to create a harmonious and comfortable interpersonal state. As F3 mentioned, “ I think, when it comes to some unimportant things, it is important not to bother others like that…… one should have the sense of proportion ” (#F3-39).

3） Having a soul mate

Mentally healthy college students seek to have a soul mate in specific friendships or romantic partnerships. Nine interviewees suggest that mentally healthy college students possess the ability and quality to communicate and empathize with others on a deep spiritual level and form corresponding friendships or romantic relationships. Whether in friendship or romantic relationships, mentally healthy college students have the correct attitude toward interaction, as F8 said, “ For example, Zeng Gong and Wang Anshi (both politicians of the Northern Song Dynasty), …… They become good friends for life not based on interests, but on their appreciation of each other, and the same values, which I think mental health of college students should always be ” (#F8-67).

They emphasize the spiritual level of communication more than pursuing each other’s company. They have a more high-quality and pure relationship, in friendship or romantic relationships. As F6 said: “ ‘The friendship of a noble person is as pure as water.’ (Chuang-Tzu). Put simply, relationships should be genuine and straightforward, free from fame-seeking or ulterior motives; Just like the story of Boya and Ziqi, mentally healthy students might find a companion who truly gets them, connecting on a spiritual and empathetic level…… ” (#F6-38). It is the same with romantic relationships, as M6 mentioned, “ When you read the poem of Su Shi, for example, ‘Ten years parted, one living, one dead; Not thinking; Yet never forgetting; A thousand Li from her lonely grave; I have nowhere to tell my grief……’ The affection between him and his wife is so deep that it is enviable ” (#M6-42).

4） Showing filial respect to parents appropriately

Mentally healthy college students have rational conceptions of filial piety towards their parents and appropriate, respectful behavior. Eleven interviewees believe mentally healthy college students are filial and rational in their interactions with their parents. Mentally healthy college students show filial piety to their parents appropriately. On the one hand, they practice filial piety by accompanying their parents, communicating more with them, caring for them, repaying them, and so on. As F5 mentioned, “ ‘Our bodies—to every hair and bit of skin—are received by us from our parents’ (Xiao Jing). Mentally healthy college students are grateful and respectful, often care for their parents, and spend more time with them ” (#F5-109).

On the other hand, they also have rational thinking rather than unprincipled obedience regarding filial piety’s “cognition” aspect. As one participant said, “ Not just any kind of filial piety, that is, you should have your thinking and judgment…… ” (#F3-105). Another participant said, “ Proper filial piety is an aspect of college students’ mental health, not that they are obedient to their parents. When they disagree with parents, they can communicate more with parents and let themselves be understood ” (#M5-102).

Behavior ability

Behavior ability refers to the ability of an individual to behave appropriately. According to these interviewees, mentally healthy college students have a variety of behavioral abilities, such as adapting to different environments, learning well, and regulating their emotions. This theme directly reflects the Chinese culture: “Those who obey heaven survive, and those who defy heaven perish,” “learn without thinking is reckless, think without learning is dangerous,” and “When joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are not yet expressed as a response to other things, they are in a state of balance. When they are expressed in words and deeds by the rites, harmony is achieved. “The following three subthemes were identified regarding students’ behavior ability.

(1) Adapting to the environment

Mentally healthy college students can adapt to the environment. Seven interviewees believe that mentally healthy college students can adapt to different environments. Adaptability is reflected on the one hand in the interpersonal aspects (“ There is also the adaptation to the university environment. Mentally healthy college students can integrate into groups and clubs, and actively participate in club activities ”, #F2-16). Also, they can adapt to different environments (“ I think social adaptability is quite important…… I went to work part-time this summer, but I feel that I have just been exposed to it ”, #F9-10). Moreover, they also show adaptability to adversity (“ I think mentally healthy college students also can adapt to adversity…… ”, #M5-70).

(2) Studying diligently and learning well

Mentally healthy college students can learn well. Thirteen interviewees suggest that mentally healthy college students exhibit a positive learning attitude, take ownership of their learning, maintain a continuous learning process, and demonstrate good study habits. They learn earnestly and diligently and have good learning attitudes (“ College students with good mental health will keep learning, have the initiative to learn, down-to-earth. Moreover, if they work by fits and starts (Cao Xueqin: The Dream of Red Mansions), there will not be a good result ”, #F5-64).

They also actively take responsibility for learning. As F10 said, “ Responsibility is fundamental. The primary task for students is studying. One should stay in one’s lane ” (#F10-83). Besides, they are good at learning (“ I think Lu Xun, who gave up medicine to pursue literature, …… has a powerful ability to learn ”, #F9-71). In addition, they study diligently and accumulate knowledge. As M2 mentioned, “ Since I have to prepare for the entrance examination, I have to memorize words and take lessons every day. That is, ‘But unless you pile up little steps, you can never journey a thousand li; unless you pile up tiny streams, you can never make a river or a sea.’ (Hsun-Tzu: Encouraging Learning), …… I realized that what I do daily is important ”, #M2-93).

(3) Being emotionally appropriate and can regulate emotions

Mentally healthy college students can regulate and manage their emotions. Nine interviewees posit that mentally healthy students display emotional appropriateness and stability, promptly and effectively managing their emotions. Emotions are often regarded as the signal light of mental health. Thus, mentally healthy college students are emotionally appropriate and relatively stable, “ A mentally healthy college student should be emotionally stable, …… ‘The master was mild, and yet dignified; majestic, and yet not fierce; respectful, and yet easy’ (The Analects). One should have a suitable emotion in which state ” (#F3-78).

Moreover, when encountering adverse events, they have the ability to regulate their emotions. As one participant mentioned, “ A mentally healthy college student can control his emotions and regulate his emotions ” (#F6-1). At the same time, they can adjust themselves in appropriate and healthy ways in time, “ when he meets some bad things, he can just communicate with others, exercise…… instead of drinking or even hurting himself ” (#F8-10).

Self-cultivation

Self-cultivation refers to the inner quality or state an individual constantly improves or achieves through long-term efforts and cultivation. According to the interviewees, mentally healthy college students advocate the continuous improvement of self-cultivation. They try to possess many excellent qualities of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism and perfect them daily by having clear and objective self-knowledge and constantly reflecting on themselves to improve their cultivation. This is a direct reflection of the Chinese culture of “no end to learning” and “Seeing the virtuous and thinking of the wise, seeing the unwise and introspecting”, and so on. The following four subthemes regarding students’ self-cultivation were identified.

(1) Having an objective, positive perception of oneself and can accept one’s mediocrity

The constant improvement of mentally healthy college students’ self-cultivation first requires a clear perception of oneself. Eleven interviewees believe mentally healthy college students have a positive, comprehensive, and clear understanding of themselves. They know their strengths and weaknesses and can accept their mediocre and weak sides, “ For example, an Olympic weightlifter, he can only lift 50 pounds, but he had to go lift 100 pounds…… A mentally healthy person should clearly understand themselves and do according to one’s abilities… ”, #F8-33). They also have a positive view of themselves, “ ‘All things in their being are good for something’ (Li Bai: Invitation to Wine); one should not think too lightly of themselves when disillusioned. They can certainly play their usefulness in life, cannot improperly belittle oneself ” (#F9-35). Furthermore, they can also accept their mediocrity and weakness, “ I think there is also a significant point, which is to accept their mediocrity gradually…… ” (#F1-8).

(2) Being confident and also modest

The constant improvement of mentally healthy college students’ self-cultivation also requires an objective perception of oneself. Thirteen interviewees believe that mentally healthy college students are confident and able to stick to what they believe is correct while also being modest. According to a participant, mentally healthy college students believe in themselves, “ This point of believing in oneself in Qian Xuesen is probably also what a mentally healthy college student should have…… ”, #M4-128). They are assertive and can stand firm on their ideas (“ When faced with two choices, mentally healthy college students listen to others’ opinions and at the same time stick to their ow n,” #F4-77). At the same time, they are also modest (“ A saying goes that, ‘Modesty helps one go forward, whereas conceit makes one lag.’ In my opinion, mentally healthy students may not be so proud of themselves……”, #F5-36). Furthermore, they are not overly confident or modest (“Both confidence and modesty in a mentally healthy college student are appropriate and balanced, that is, I think it is necessary to be confident but also modest……, ” #F7-109).

(3) Focusing on introspection and contemplation to align with the sages

Mentally healthy college students improve themselves through constant introspection. Ten interviewees believe mentally healthy college students focus on introspection and are strict with themselves. They constantly check the gaps to seek progress and expand their horizon. Specifically, mentally healthy college students often reflect on themselves (“ ‘I daily examine myself on three points……’ (The Analects) which I think reflects the mental health of college students, that is, whether you are doing your best in the team…… ”, F2-35). They are also strict with themselves, “ As the sayings go, ‘You cannot expect a better world without cleaning your room first,’ although Du Fu (a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty) is said to be very talented, if one cannot do small things well, like cleaning the house, he can do nothing else well ” (#M5-52).

Moreover, they make constant progress and look to the virtuous, “ ‘When you see a person of virtue and capability, you should think of emulating and equaling the person; when you see a person of low caliber, you should reflect on your weak points’ (The Analects). Mentally healthy people also constantly learn from the strengths of others and reflect on their weaknesses ” (#M2-34).

(4) Possessing good qualities advocated by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, which coexist harmoniously

The highest level of self-cultivation for mentally healthy college students is to possess many good qualities of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, which together become the characteristics of mentally healthy college students. Sixteen interviewees suggest that mentally healthy college students exhibit strong moral characteristics and virtues from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, all coexisting harmoniously. Mentally healthy college students have the excellent qualities of Taoism, such as being calm and bland, indifferent to fame and fortune, and peaceful and happy. As the participants said, “ This sense of ordinariness, which I think may also be a necessity for mental health…… ” (#F7- 34); “ Mentally healthy college students are calm and relaxed, take the rough with the smooth; they have confidence in themselves and take it easy ” (#M7-35).

Moreover, they have the excellent virtues of Confucianism, such as benevolence, righteousness, rites, wisdom, and good faith. As F3 said, “ Mentally healthy college students must be good in these virtues, like ‘loyalty, filial piety, rites, wisdom, good faith, and courage’…… ” (#F3-90). Another participant mentioned, “ After comparing so many fictional characters, it is hard for me to use words to describe him (Qiao Feng), …… very filial and loyal, very righteous, …… doing things very fairly, … … ”, #M6-59).

Besides, they also obtain the main qualities of Buddhism, such as gratitude and kindness (“ ‘Moral character can be built by accumulating goodness’ (Hsun-Tzu: Encouraging Learning). A mentally healthy college student does good deeds, such as attending activities as a volunteer…… ” #F2-30). As F9 said, “ Also, mentally healthy college students often remember others’ kindness and are grateful, and then be nice to others, as the saying goes, ‘You throw a peach to me, I give you a white jade for friendship.’ (The Book of Songs) ”, #F9 -112).

The study identified five themes and 18 characteristics of mentally healthy college students within Chinese culture. These characteristics are deeply rooted in Chinese traditions, highlighting yin-yang balance and moral cultivation. They related closely to college students’ identity, learning stage, and age. Contrasting with characteristics of other cultural backgrounds, they showcase the impact of Chinese culture on college students, validating and expanding the theory of sociocultural models.

Comparison with previous studies

Firstly, compared to existing research on the characteristics of mentally healthy college students, this study presents novel findings and unique insights. Consistent with other related studies rooted in Chinese culture, both this study and previous research accentuate that the characteristics of mentally healthy college students encompass facets such as self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, emotional regulation, and positive learning traits. For instance, Wang (1992) posited that mentally healthy college students exhibit characteristics focusing on self-awareness, interpersonal adeptness, and emotional regulation [ 32 ]. Similarly, Zeng (2021) described the characteristics of mentally healthy college students, highlighting their emotional state, academic performance, and interpersonal skills [ 33 ].

Some characteristics revealed in our study diverge from those proposed in prior research concerning their specific connotations. Taking emotional regulation as an example, the research of Zeng (2021) and Wang (1992) primarily emphasized affirming positive emotions. They depicted mentally healthy college students as “positively emotional and controllable” or “possess the capacity to coordinate and manage emotions effectively, sustaining a positive mood.” In contrast, the characteristic identified in this study of “being emotionally appropriate and can regulate emotions” not only encompasses positive emotions but also includes negative feelings, emphasizing the timely and moderate expression of both. This directly reflects the Confucian concept of “Zhongyong” (doctrine of the mean) in Chinese culture, which advocates for moderation in all things, whether positive or negative. Therefore, it is evident that college students’ mental health is closely intertwined with the concept of moderation. Individuals can achieve mental health in various aspects by expressing emotions moderately, whether positive or negative.

Furthermore, this study has identified characteristics not previously mentioned by Chinese scholars, such as “showing filial respect to parents appropriately.” Filial piety is a unique social behavior within Chinese culture, embodying a comprehensive and intricate ethical framework [ 58 ]. Chinese society dramatically emphasizes family values, where treating parents well and acknowledging their upbringing is paramount. Therefore, if one is not filial, one cannot be said to be mentally healthy. However, with the evolution of societal norms, the essence of filial piety has transformed. Recent research reveals that contemporary society no longer adheres to traditional interpretations of filial piety solely through obedience to parents [ 59 ]. This shift signifies that mentally healthy college students now approach filial piety differently, manifesting altered perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors toward this concept. In ancient China, departing from one’s hometown to pursue education and personal growth was discouraged, as staying by one’s parents’ side was deemed the epitome of filial piety. As Confucius stated, “While the father and mother are living, do not wander afar” ( The Analects ). However, today, individuals are encouraged to venture afar to contribute meaningfully to their country and society [ 60 ]. As a result, modern manifestations of filial piety among mentally healthy college students involve not just reverence, care, and support for their parents but also underscore the significance of preserving autonomy and independence while fulfilling their familial duties.

Secondly, upon comparing our findings with research from other cultural backgrounds, it becomes apparent that our results diverge significantly from those of Western culture but align closely with research outcomes from Africa and Asia.

In the West, the understanding of mental health emphasizes enhancing personal belonging, satisfaction, and well-being, which is very different from Chinese culture, which emphasizes self-sacrifice and self-elimination [ 61 ]. Although this study was conducted in a qualitative study of a group of college students in very good mental health, a research perspective similar to Maslow’s research on self-actualizers, there were significant differences in the specific characteristics of these healthy individuals in different cultures. In particular, this study did not address the characteristics of self-actualizers noted by Maslow, such as “the mystic experience: the peak experience” and “philosophical, unhostile sense of humor,” which emphasize excellent personal features. The characteristics identified from this study emphasize individuals’ relationships with the country and family. Such as “loving their motherland and identifying with their culture,” “having a sense of responsibility and mission and being willing to dedicate oneself to the country at any time,” and “Showing filial respect to parents appropriately.” These characteristics are the direct expression of Chinese culture in terms of devoting oneself to the country and being filial to parents, which were not found in the results of Maslow’s study.

On the other hand, this study aligns more closely with research findings from African and Asian cultural backgrounds. For example, in the view of caregivers in Africa and Asia, mentally healthy individuals are people who contribute to the community and spend an enjoyable time in groups [ 28 ]. Thus, college students with good mental health can meet precise requirements at different levels: the individual and others, the individual and the family, and the individual and the nation, which is more of a relationship-oriented “big self” [ 62 ].

Thirdly, this research’s findings correspond with certain facets of the 24 character strengths and 6 virtues outlined in positive psychology, yet they also reveal disparities in specific aspects.

With the burgeoning of the positive psychology movement, some researchers have suggested that people with good mental health are not articulated merely as the absence of mental illness but as people who possess positive qualities, such as being highly resilient and well-being [ 63 ]. Seligman and colleagues summarized 6 virtues and 24 character strengths contributing to a good life [ 64 ], which have garnered wide attention. A point of convergence is that some positive psychological qualities emphasized by the characteristics identified in this study align with those highlighted in positive psychology. For instance, the characteristic of “being benevolent and kind” identified in this study emphasizes that mentally healthy college students are compassionate and kind. Similarly, one of the 6 virtues in positive psychology is humanity, which also focuses on kindness.

Nonetheless, notable distinctions exist between this study and the character strengths or virtues proposed by positive psychology. Firstly, in terms of the connotation of similar qualities, there are variations between the two. For example, the quality of “modesty” as a traditional Chinese virtue holds different implications than the Western perspective on “humility.” Modesty in Chinese culture carries much richer connotations than in the West, and core characteristics such as being open-minded, down-to-earth, and striving for improvement are unique to Chinese culture [ 65 ]. Additionally, while positive psychology views humility as an important but standalone character strength, this study found that mentally healthy college students are “being confident and also modest,” with modesty and confidence blending and coexisting harmoniously. This aligns with the encouragement of self-esteem, confidence, and self-improvement among the younger generation in China in recent years [ 66 ]. However, Chinese people still highly value modesty as a virtue while simultaneously emphasizing confidence. These seemingly contradictory qualities of confidence and modesty are valued, reflecting the dynamic balance of “yin and yang” in Chinese culture [ 67 ].

More importantly, this study has uncovered additional positive qualities beyond the 24 character strengths, such as “being inclusive and broad-minded”.These qualities carry strong moral attributes; in other words, possessing these moral qualities is essential for mental health. Confucianism emphasizes social morality, self-cultivation, and the development of a gentleman-like sage personality [ 68 ]. Self-cultivation is the basis for the ethical construction of family and society to perfect the ideal personality of governing the state and pacifying the world. The concept of “sageliness within and kingliness without” underscores this philosophy [ 69 ]. The characteristic “being inclusive and broad-minded” implies that mentally healthy college students exhibit tolerant and open-minded attitudes, embracing the principles of “Harmony, but Not Uniformity” and “The sea admits hundreds of rivers for its capacity to hold”(Chinese idioms) when encountering diverse viewpoints or adversity. Therefore, a mentally healthy college student possesses virtues such as tolerance and open-mindedness, showcasing solid moral values. In essence, college students’ mental health is intertwined with their moral attributes. A mentally healthy individual must embody essential moral qualities, which serve as markers of their overall well-being. Acknowledging the significance of moral virtues in defining and nurturing mental health among college students is crucial.

Validation and extension to the theory of sociocultural models

Firstly, this study validates the theory of sociocultural models. On one hand, this study confirms how culture influences individual psychology as proposed in the theory of sociocultural models. In this study, psychological entities represent the characteristics of mentally healthy college students that guide their thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes. According to the findings of this study, Chinese traditional culture plays a significant role in shaping these characteristics. For example, the patriotic sentiments of important historical figures such as Wen Tianxiang and Yue Fei, as well as the thoughts of traditional Chinese culture such as “Death is not my concern should it benefit the country. How can I pick and choose for my loss or gains?” (Lin Zexu: Two poems for family members on the way to the garrison ”) and “To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the populace, to carry on lost teachings of ancient sages, to build peace for posterity’ (Zhang Zai: Heng Qu Yi Shuo ) are internalized in the characteristics of “Having a sense of responsibility and mission and being willing to dedicate oneself to the country at any time.” The country cultivates college students as pillars of talent, and Confucianism teaches “To be the first in the country to worry about the affairs of the state and the last to enjoy oneself.” (Fan Zhongyan: The Yueyang Tower ). Thus, studying is not only for personal development but also for a sense of responsibility and contribution to the country, which arguably demonstrates the mental health characteristics of the specific group of college students with distinct traditional Chinese cultural connotations. Such findings align with the theory of sociocultural models, emphasizing how people internalize societal culture into their psychological entities to regulate their psychological activities.

On the other hand, this study validates how individual psychology externalizes and promotes the generation of new culture as proposed in the theory of sociocultural models. During China’s modernization, people have realized that only by daring to break through the shackles of existing ideas and exploring innovative development opportunities can the country move forward and develop sustainably. Many people have overcome difficulties and carried out the revolution, construction, and innovation in constructing Chinese socialism. Their love for the country and their sense of mission made them always meet the challenges of national reconstruction with high morale and perseverance [ 70 ]. Especially since the reform and opening-up, people’s minds have been fundamentally liberated, and the spring of scientific and technological progress has been ushered in. Their precious spiritual wealth, such as the characteristic of “daring to criticize, explore, and innovate,” has facilitated the development of new cultures like Chinese revolutionary and socialist cultures in modern times. Such findings align with the theory of sociocultural models, highlighting how group members externalize their psychological entities and transform them into new social cultures through social interactions and co-construction with existing social cultures.

Secondly, this study expands the content of the theory of sociocultural models. Due to a lack of specific pathways depicting the interaction between culture and psychology in the theory of sociocultural models, this study found that the significant carriers of interaction between culture and individual psychology are the spiritual world presented by historical and modern figures mentioned by the interviewees, as well as tangible worlds such as Chinese characters, poetry, martial arts, and art. These aspects of Chinese culture are internalized by college students as part of their psychological entities, guiding their words and actions and also shaping their perception of mental health. Conversely, the psychological entities of college students, such as the emergence of new concepts like “daring to criticize, explore, and innovate” in the construction of a new China, are transformed into emerging cultures, such as Chinese socialist culture through the role of figures like Qian Xuesen and stories as carriers.

Strengths, limitations, and future research

This study possesses several strengths. Firstly, it is the first attempt to systematically explore the characteristics of college students’ mental health entirely based on Chinese culture. The 18 identified characteristics directly convey or reflect aspects of Chinese culture, significantly enriching the comprehension of college students’ mental well-being within the context of Chinese culture. Secondly, the study adheres to the elite principle research paradigm by using elite samples as participants. Consequently, the outcomes comprehensively delineate the characteristics of mentally healthy college students possessing an excellent psychological state rooted in Chinese culture. These findings not only provide an ideal model for nurturing mental health among college students but also engender fresh insights into mental well-being, culminating in a novel benchmark for mental health standards. Thirdly, this study delves into the unique characteristics of mentally healthy college students within Chinese culture from the students’ firsthand experiences. In contrast, prior scholars predominantly offered personal opinions on the characteristics of mentally healthy individuals based on their experiences, lacking the direct perspectives of college students.

This study also has some limitations. As a qualitative study, the nature of this research inherently limits the applications of its conclusions. Focused primarily on college students, generalizing the findings to other groups in China (such as civil servants) may be constrained. Moreover, this study exclusively examines Chinese college students without conducting cross-cultural research. The absence of direct comparative studies fails to highlight variations in mentally healthy characteristics across diverse cultures. For instance, the absence of a comparative study between Chinese and students from other cultures (such as American college students) hindered exploration into the distinctive characteristics and differences of mentally healthy college students from varying cultures. Consequently, extrapolating the results of this study to other cultural contexts also has its limitations. Despite some similarities between Chinese culture and certain cultures in Asia and Africa, direct inferences also have significant constraints.

Furthermore, in terms of understanding culture, there is no conclusive definition of what culture is and what Chinese culture is. Scholars have put forward many understandings and definitions of Chinese culture from different perspectives. Understanding and defining Chinese culture are still in the exploratory stage, which challenges this study. The researcher’s understanding and mastery of existing relevant knowledge are somewhat limited regarding the formation of research results and the depth of analysis and discussion.

Future research could consider the following aspects. Firstly, a comparative study of the characteristics of mentally healthy people in different cultural groups can be conducted. Since individualistic/collectivistic cultures influence Americans and Chinese to be more expressive of private selves/collective selves, and religious cultures also influence individual self-esteem [ 71 ] and form religious selves [ 72 ]. Therefore, some comparative studies with students from different cultural backgrounds can be conducted in the future. For example, a comparative study with three groups of college students from the United States, China, and India can be considered to compare whether there are differences in the characteristics of mentally healthy college students from different cultures. Secondly, some quantitative studies can be considered. For example, future research could refine specific characteristics identified in the study, like “being flexible and dialectical,” for more specific operational definitions and develop a scale to measure the mental health of different groups to validate how these characteristics are manifested in university students or other groups so that more further research could be conducted using this new scale, which may help facilitate replication of the findings. Thirdly, based on continuous learning and accumulation of Chinese culture, future research can do in-depth excavation and exploration of the manifestation and nature of these mental health characteristics. For example, future research could select the characteristics reflecting the culture of filial piety or Zhongyong culture and explore how these cultures change and develop into mental health characteristics with the development of science and technology, the change of social structure, and the collision of Chinese and Western cultures, which may also be of great significance.

Practical implications

The Chinese culture has rich treasure resources and cultivated Chinese character traits, characteristics, and lifestyles. The results of this study show that many attitudes, ideas, and behaviors espoused by Chinese culture are manifestations of mental health. In particular, this study found the characteristics of mentally healthy college students based on Chinese culture, which is culturally applicable and more suitable for promoting the mental health of Chinese college students and can provide essential references and bases for mental health education and clinical practice.

On the one hand, this study can provide an overall theoretical framework for developing mental health courses for college students. Mental health courses are the most important and direct form of mental health education for college students in China, and they are also the primary way to improve the psychological quality of college students. The Ministry of Education requires colleges and universities to offer mandatory public courses on mental health for undergraduate students [ 73 ]. However, current mental health courses for Chinese college students rely mainly on Western mental health-related definitions, theories, and techniques for delivery [ 74 , 75 ]. The five themes and 18 characteristics discovered in this study are systematic, providing a comprehensive and systematic theoretical basis for college students’ mental health courses.

In particular, the five themes discovered in this study—values pursuit, life attitude, interpersonal ideals, behavioral ability, and self-cultivation—can be employed as the central pillars for teaching and setting objectives in a college student mental health course rooted in Chinese culture. Furthermore, the 18 identified characteristics can form each lesson’s fundamental content and learning goals, establishing a comprehensive framework. For instance, the characteristics “being confident and also modest” can be one of the key topics under the theme of “self-cultivation.” By comparing Western views of mental health (focused on confidence) with Chinese beliefs (valuing both confidence and modesty) and blending students’ self-awareness with Chinese cultural insights, the course can delve into the importance of confidence and modesty in Chinese culture. Strategies for cultivating these characteristics can be discussed, shedding light on the unique aspects of mental health development among college students within Chinese cultural contexts.

Secondly, this research offers valuable insights for fostering healthy personalities among college students in psychological counseling methods from the perspective of Chinese culture. On the one hand, this study has a guiding significance for setting goals in psychological counseling. Psychological counseling has traditionally emphasized decreasing negative emotions and boosting positive ones. Nevertheless, this study serves as a reminder for counselors to reassess this counseling objective. Throughout the counseling process, counselors should not only focus on diminishing negative emotions but also be wary of potential complications stemming from excessive positive emotions, stressing the importance of a moderate expression of positive and negative emotions.

On the other hand, the discoveries of this study could serve as a wellspring of inspiration for crafting indigenous approaches to psychological counseling. This research reveals that mentally healthy college students possess the characteristic “possessing good qualities advocated by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism coexist harmoniously.” Within Chinese culture, the symbiotic interplay among Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism stands out as a cornerstone [ 76 ], where these philosophies coexist compatibly and mutually influence each other in shaping Chinese characters [ 77 ]. Future scholars might devise counseling methodologies rooted in the principle of harmonious coexistence found within Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, potentially empowering individuals to bolster their mental health through these culturally embedded psychological counseling approaches.

This study explores the characteristics of mental health of college students with good psychological states from the perspective of Chinese culture and finds 18 characteristics, based on which five themes are formed: value pursuit, life attitude, interpersonal ideal, behavior ability, and self-cultivation. The 18 characteristics are typical of Chinese culture or its features, focusing on multi-level relationships with others, parents, and the country. They are also typical of Chinese culture with moral attributes, an emphasis on self-cultivation, a balance of Yin and Yang, and the coexistence of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. These findings help enrich the research on culture and mental health, highlight the Chinese cultural connotations of mental health, and help form an ideal standard of mental health for college students. Findings can serve as a theoretical foundation for improving the mental well-being of Chinese college students, act as a guiding light for enhancing students’ mental health, and be integrated directly into the mental health curriculum as course content. Mental health education activities based on these findings can help promote, maintain, and cultivate college students’ mental health literacy and healthy personalities to fulfill their potential and become the pillars of the nation.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets for this study are not readily available because they consist of interview data, for which confidentiality cannot be safeguarded. Therefore, the data will not be made available. Requests to access the datasets should be directed to XJ, [email protected].

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate Professor Tianjun Liu from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Professor Jianjun Zhu, and Professor Ming Li from Beijing Forestry University for their support in assessing the appropriateness of naming, defining, and classifying the 18 characteristics and five themes. We thank our research team and participants who shared their experiences and made this study possible. We thank Dr. Xiaofang Yao at Federation University Australia and Dr. Lixian Tu at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law for their support throughout the English translation.

This study is support by the BIT Research and Innovation Promoting Project (Grant No. 2022YCXY053).

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MG conducted the interviews, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript under the guidance of XJ. XJ formulated this study and contributed to editing of the manuscript and critical revisions. WW assisted with the writing and editing of the final manuscript. All authors contributed to manuscript revision, read, and approved the submitted version.

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Guo, M., Jia, X. & Wang, W. How would you describe a mentally healthy college student based on Chinese culture? A qualitative research from the perspective of college students. BMC Psychol 12 , 207 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01689-7

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In CDC survey, 37% of U.S. high school students report regular mental health struggles during COVID-19 pandemic

Many high school students have reported experiencing mental health challenges during the coronavirus outbreak, according to recently published survey findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). High school students who are gay, lesbian or bisexual, as well as girls, were especially likely to say their mental health has suffered during the pandemic.

This analysis explores U.S. high school students’ self-reported mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. It expands on Pew Research Center surveys that have explored U.S. adults’ mental health difficulties during this time. Not all of the survey questions asked specifically about mental health during the pandemic.

This analysis relies on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES), which was conducted from January to June 2021 to assess students’ health-related behaviors and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. ABES surveyed high school students in grades 9-12 attending U.S. public and private schools. More information about the survey and its methodology can be found on the CDC’s website.

The results from this one-time survey are not directly comparable to previous CDC surveys on these topics.

Overall, 37% of students at public and private high schools reported that their mental health was not good most or all of the time during the pandemic, according to the CDC’s Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey , which was fielded from January to June 2021. In the survey, “poor mental health” includes stress, anxiety and depression. About three-in-ten high school students (31%) said they experienced poor mental health most or all of the time in the 30 days before the survey. In addition, 44% said that, in the previous 12 months, they felt sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row such that they stopped doing some usual activities. (Not all of the survey questions asked specifically about mental health during the pandemic.)

A bar chart showing that among high schoolers in the U.S., girls and LGB students were the most likely to report feeling sad or hopeless in the past year

High school students who are gay, lesbian or bisexual reported higher rates of mental health stresses than their heterosexual (straight) peers. The share of LGB high schoolers who said their mental health was not good most of the time or always during the pandemic was more than double that of heterosexual students (64% vs. 30%). More than half of LGB students (55%) said they experienced poor mental health at least most of the time in the 30 days before the survey, while 26% of heterosexual teens said the same. And about three-quarters of LGB high schoolers (76%) said they felt sad or hopeless almost daily for at least two weeks such that they stopped doing some of their usual activities, compared with 37% of heterosexual students.

There were also differences by gender. About half of high school girls (49%) said their mental health was not good most of the time or always during the COVID-19 outbreak – roughly double the share of boys who said this (24%). And roughly four-in-ten girls (42%) reported feeling this way in the 30 days before the survey; 20% of boys said the same. About six-in-ten high school girls (57%) reported that at some point in the 12 months before taking the survey (in the first half of 2021) they felt sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row such that they stopped doing some usual activities, compared with 31% of high school boys who said this.

LGB high schoolers were also more likely than their heterosexual peers to have sought mental health care – including treatment or counseling for alcohol or drug use – via telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Around one-in-five LGB students (19%) said they received treatment this way at some point during the pandemic, compared with 6% of heterosexual students. Girls were more likely than boys to have received mental health care through telemedicine (10% vs. 7%, respectively).

Pandemic-related disruptions to schooling, socializing and family life have created a situation that the U.S. surgeon general has described as a “ youth mental health crisis ,” with high rates of teens experiencing distress. But public health experts had called attention to teen mental health even before the coronavirus outbreak. For instance, a separate CDC survey conducted in 2015 found that LGB teens were at greater risk of depression than their heterosexual peers. And a Pew Research Center analysis of pre-pandemic data from the National Survey for Drug Use and Health showed teenage girls were more likely than their male peers to report recent experiences with depression , as well as to receive treatment for it.

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Supporting student mental health in the college classroom

By Tasha Galardi, OSU College of Health

The teaching landscape has changed in a variety of ways since the start of the COVID pandemic, and one thing many of us are noticing is an increase in the mental health issues that our students are experiencing. The majority of college students today meet the criteria for at least one mental-health problem. Results from the latest  Healthy Minds survey (2022), which received responses from 96,000 U.S. students across 133 campuses during the 2021–22 academic year, found that 44 percent reported symptoms of depression, 37 percent said they experienced anxiety and 15 percent said they have seriously considered suicide. While the rates of mental-health problems are roughly the same among students of all races, students of color are less likely to receive treatment (Lipson et al., 2022). Many students feel that faculty should be at least moderately involved in helping students who struggle with their mental health, in part because most college counseling centers are overwhelmed and have long waiting lists (Cohen et al., 2022).

Instructors play a critical role in supporting student mental health, by sharing resources and incorporating strategies that support student well-being. Mental health challenges negatively impact student performance and classroom dynamics, so efforts to support student mental health not only benefit students in need but also improve the classroom experience for the instructor and other students. There are a variety of practices that instructors can employ to support student mental health, even if they do not know whether any specific students in their class are experiencing issues.

Best Practices for Supporting Student Health and Well-Being:

It is important to note that while some students have Disability Access Services ( DAS ) accommodations, many do not.
Rather than accommodating individual requests for flexibility, it might be easier to build flexibility into your course design. For example, you can drop several of the lowest participation scores to allow students to miss a few classes without penalty or offer every student a one-time late submission pass for homework assignments.
Provide opportunities for students to make up points, such as extra credit and/or the rewriting of an assignment.
Create simplicity, consistency, and clarity in your course design, and consider a regular schedule for assignment due dates. Keep everything well-organized in Canvas, and make sure links work. Clearly outline expectations, deadlines, and how assignments will be graded. Post regular reminders for upcoming due dates.
Space out assignments throughout the term. It is better to have more small assignments than just a few larger ones. Scaffold larger assignments by breaking the work up into smaller pieces.
Signal support for student mental health throughout the term through statements made in class, via announcements, etc. Openly mention upcoming discussions of potentially challenging topics and discuss major events that may impact student mental health. Describe your own self-care practices and destigmatize asking for help.
Instructors will most likely need to reach out to students who appear to be struggling, because students generally do not initiate these conversations.
Refer at-risk students to the Student Care Team and/or CAPS .

At times, it can seem overwhelming trying to navigate the needs of our students and their requests for accommodations. It is important to remind them (and perhaps even yourself!) that you are not a trained therapist, and to practice self-care when you need to recover from the emotional labor that teaching can require. But, instructors definitely play a pivotal role in supporting students and this work can be managed with planning and intention. By designing your course in a way that supports student mental health and well-being, you will likely receive fewer requests for special accommodations. And it is rewarding to know that you are helping students be more successful in your class, which impacts their overall success at OSU.

Cohen, K. A., Graham, A. K., & Lattie, E. G. (2022). Aligning students and counseling centers on student mental health needs and treatment resources. Journal of American College Health , 70 (3), 724-732.

Coleman, M. E. (2022). Mental health in the college classroom: Best practices for instructors. Teaching Sociology , 50 (2), 168-182.

Eaton, R., Hunsaker, S. V., & Moon, B. (2023). Improving learning and mental health in the college classroom . West Virginia University Press.

Healthy Minds Network (2022). Healthy Minds Study among Colleges and Universities, year 2021-2022 [Data set]. Healthy Minds Network, University of Michigan, University of California Los Angeles, Boston University, and Wayne State University. https://healthymindsnetwork.org/research/data-for-researchers .

Lipson, S. K., Zhou, S., Abelson, S., Heinze, J., Jirsa, M., Morigney, J., & Eisenberg, D. (2022). Trends in college student mental health and help-seeking by race/ethnicity: Findings from the national healthy minds study, 2013–2021. Journal of Affective Disorders , 306 , 138-147.

About the Author: Tasha Galardi is a Senior Instructor in the Human Development and Family Sciences department, and primarily serves as the Human Services internship coordinator. This post was inspired by discussions at a recent CTL Fellows Program event in the College of Health that Tasha facilitated in her current role as a College of Health CTL Fellow.

War in Israel and Gaza

Palestinians are inspecting the damage in the rubble of the Al-Bashir mosque following Israeli bombardment in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on April 2, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Palestinian health authorities say more than 34,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault, which began after Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and abducting another 253 to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

The Israeli assault has destroyed hospitals across the enclave, including Al Shifa Hospital, the Gaza Strip's largest before the war, and killed and injured health workers.

Israel accuses Hamas of regularly using hospitals, ambulances and other medical facilities for military purposes.

"The health system in Gaza has been completely obliterated, and the right to health has been decimated at every level," Mofokeng said.

"The conditions are incompatible with the realization of everyone to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health."

Mofokeng said she was concerned about the risk of water and air borne diseases, and the lack of medical supplies and reproductive and mental health services in the Gaza Strip.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; Editing by Bernadette Baum)

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Tags: United Nations , public health , Israel , Middle East

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v.14(3); 2022 Mar

Suicidality Among Men in Russia: A Review of Recent Epidemiological Data

Val bellman.

1 Psychiatry, University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, USA

Vaishalee Namdev

2 Medicine and Surgery, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Indore, IND

Suicide is a phenomenon that is not related to a specific class of countries but is a problem worldwide. Many studies have attempted to explain gender differences in suicidal behaviors. Unfortunately, Russia holds the world’s top place for the number of suicides committed by its male citizens. Russia is still demonstrating unusually high death rates due to non-natural causes, and these demographic trends are concerning. We analyzed suicidality among men in Russia over the past 20 years using official data published by the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) and secondary sources. We also discussed male suicide as a social problem, analyzed, and evaluated male suicidality in Russia from 2000 to 2020, and reviewed the factors influencing the prevalence of male suicides over female suicides in Russia.

Russia is still going through one of the most significant historical changes in the last 100 years. Our analysis showed discrepancies between official numbers and data published by non-government organizations in Russia. Unemployment, low socioeconomic status, underdiagnosed and/or untreated mental illness, and substance abuse are major risk factors for suicide in Russian men. Cultural influences also make suicidal behavior socially scripted in Russia.

By providing examples and analyzing data, we aspire to encourage improvements in the practice of mental wellbeing in Russia and other post-Soviet countries. The recommendations within this report are intended as a starting point for dialogue to guide effective suicide prevention in this country.

Introduction

Suicides and self-harming behaviors are significant public health and social problems in post-Soviet Russia. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide [ 1 ], accounting for over 58,000 deaths annually in Europe [ 2 ] and 16,546 deaths in Russia in 2020 [ 3 ]. According to experts, there are 11.4 suicides per 100,000 people in the world, which equates to 804,000 suicides annually [ 4 ]. Although the suicide rates in Russia are gradually decreasing (39.1/100,000 in 2000 to 23.4/100,000 in 2010 and 11.3/100,000 in 2020 [ 3 ]), the number of suicides among men is significantly higher than among Russian females [ 5 , 6 ].

The suicide rates vary greatly between Russian cities and within the country, and the difference between regions varies tenfold. The suicide rates are higher in rural communities when compared with their urban counterparts. Social deprivation, economic depression, unemployment, heavy alcohol consumption, etc. are also more prevalent in rural areas of Russia. Indigenous peoples around the country are burdened with a markedly increased suicide rate, which may be associated with a challenging social situation, inadequate family support, lower socioeconomic status, and an increased prevalence of alcohol and psychoactive substances, which also act as suicide risk factors in general [ 7 , 8 ]. The suicide rates among men in Russia (26.1 per 100,000) were over three times higher than among women (6.9 per 100,000) in 2016. Committing suicide appears to be a male phenomenon over the past 20 years in post-Soviet Russia [ 9 ]. For suicide attempts, the level estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) is 20 times higher than the suicide rate [ 10 ]; the gender gap is less pronounced.

This phenomenon, when men commit suicide more frequently than women while women are much likelier to commit suicide attempts, is known as the gender paradox of suicidal behavior [ 2 , 6 ]. All Russian citizens are expected to receive medical care that meets the highest standards, regardless of their race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Although the Russian healthcare system remains gender-neutral, Russian men are not considered a “risk” group and are not involved in targeted state-sponsored suicide prevention programs [ 11 ].

Materials and methods

Data on the population and male suicide rates were taken from the official reports of Rosstat and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for 2001-2020. Secondary data were obtained from international databases and published studies in Russian and English. We used descriptive statistics to summarize the information about the population being studied. This methodology helped us summarize data in the form of simple quantitative measures, such as percentages and means, or visual summaries, such as diagrams and bar charts. The literature review attempted to bring together all available evidence on a specific, clearly defined topic.

Published studies were identified through ‘pearl growing’, citation chasing, a search of databases, using the filters, and the authors’ topic knowledge. The articles were searched in MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, COCHRANE, eLibrary, and CyberLeninka. A search of databases was undertaken in December 2021 using predefined keywords. Citation chasing was conducted by analyzing the references for each included study. A total of 122 potential papers were identified. We also included at least 20 Russian biomedical journals listed in databases, which were translated into English. The summary document contained the list of included and excluded articles; the inclusion status for each article was based on a review of the full-text manuscript. The inclusion criteria were articles with the target population, specific location, investigated epidemiological trends, or the comparison between two-to-three studied regions (cities, states, or districts). Exclusion criteria were unrelated, duplicated, unavailable full texts published before 2001. Data were abstracted from 60 eligible papers. Some of these sources had English-language abstracts, but other articles’ texts had to be translated. The evidence was graded for each source based on the quantity and quality of studies and potential data flaws. The quality, validity, and type of published data were considered.

The citation management system EndNote allowed us to organize our literature databases with internet searches and have add-ons for Office programs, which made the process of literature citation convenient. However, the majority of articles in Russian could not be captured by the citation management system. Additionally, the search for article content was sometimes unavailable for search engines. The authors had to enter this information manually to ensure consistency in the referencing of studies. Some Russian sources were originally published as extensive PDF files of the entire journal issue without dividing it into separate articles and providing no descriptors, making manual, time-consuming input of information the only possibility.

Not only are men likelier to die of suicide than women between the ages of 10 and 60 years, but the suicide rate among men also grows with every decade of life, reaching a peak at 50 [ 12 , 13 ]. Russian men become increasingly inclined to commit suicide before their 60th birthday, usually via firearms or strangulation. Although men aged 60, 70, and 80 die from suicide less often than men aged 40 to 59, gender differences prevail. The suicide rate among men over 60 is about 30 cases, compared to about 10 (per 100,000 people) among women of the same age [ 11 , 12 ].

Official data illustrate that suicide rates among men have gradually decreased over the past 20 years. While in 2000 it was 68.4 cases per 100,000 people, in 2010, it was 41 cases per 100,000 people, gradually decreasing to 29.3, 27.6, 21.7, 20.5, and 19.8 cases in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively, per 100,000 people. Suicide mortality among women is significantly lower than among men. In 2015-2016, it was nearly four times lower than among men and amounted to 7.5 and 7.1 cases per 100,000 people, respectively, in 2015 and 2016. The suicide rate among men in 2000-2020 per 100,000 people is shown in Figure Figure1 1 [ 3 ].

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According to official data, the suicide rate among all age groups decreased. In recent years, the suicide rate among adult men has varied. Data demonstrate that the suicide rate among men increases with every decade of life, reaching a peak of 50 years. Thus, at the age of 15-19 years, the mortality rate from suicide among men was 10-12 cases in 2015-2016 per 100,000 people, at the age of 20-24 years: 18-20 cases, 25-29 years: 24-26 cases, 30-34 years: 31-35 cases, 35-39 years: 37-40 cases, and reaching a maximum in the age group of 50-54 years at 38-41 cases, then decreases gradually. Figure Figure2 2 summarizes data on male suicide mortality in 2015-2016, depending on the age per 100,000 people [ 12 ].

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The data show that the suicide mortality rate among the male population in various age groups has been steadily decreasing since 2002. Between 2000-2003, all age groups of the male population demonstrated a growth in the number of suicide cases. It peaked in this period (2000-2020), except for the 15-29 age group. Between 2004 and 2010, there was the fastest decline in the suicide mortality rate among the male population in different age groups, after which the rate of decline in the mortality rate slowed, which may have been due to the financial and economic crisis in Russia (2008-2010). Figures Figures3 3 - -5 5 summarize the changes in the suicide mortality rate among men in different age groups in 2000-2020 [ 3 ].

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Between 2000-2020, the male suicide rate was variable across all levels of urbanization with higher rates in nonmetropolitan/rural areas than in medium or large metropolitan clusters. Geographic disparities (specific federal districts versus Russia overall) in suicide rates might reflect suicide risk factors known to be prevalent in less urban areas, such as limited access to mental health care, social isolation, and substance abuse.

Official data show that in 2015-2017, the suicide mortality rates among the male population in the Central Federal District, the city of Moscow, and the North Caucasian Federal District were lower than the average for the Russian Federation. The lowest rates were seen in the city of Moscow and the North Caucasian Federal District. In the Northwestern Federal District, suicide mortality rates among the male population were about the same as those in the Russian Federation overall. In the Volga Federal District, Ural Federal District, Siberian Federal District, and Far Eastern Federal District, suicide mortality rates among the male population were higher than the average in Russia. Figure Figure6 6 summarizes the male suicide mortality rates in various federal districts and the Russian Federation in 2015-2017 [ 11 , 12 ].

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Interestingly, Mal et al. (2020) stated that the highest suicide mortality rates were in five Russian federal districts: Northwestern, Volga, Ural, Siberian, and Far Eastern; however, their analysis focused on suicide mortality rates in general. Additionally, the authors indicated that suicide mortality rates were significantly lower in Central, Southern, and North Caucasian Federal Districts [ 14 ].

The impact of urbanization on suicidality in Russian men and on the mental health of the general population remains underestimated [ 15 ]. The highest degree of urbanization was recorded in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia, where almost 85 percent of the inhabitants lived in city areas. The extent to which the suicide rate in urban areas is influenced by exposure to risk factors other than urbanization remains unknown due to a lack of data. The lowest male suicide mortality rates in the Northwestern Federal District are seen in the city of St. Petersburg, where these numbers are lower than the indicators for the Northwestern Federal District. Suicide mortality rates among the male population in the Northwestern Federal District decreased in 2015-2017. The most significant decrease occurred in the Novgorod region. Figure Figure7 7 shows the suicide mortality rates among the male population in various regions of the Northwestern Federal District in 2015-2017 [ 11 , 12 ].

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Interestingly, the regions located in the Northern Caucasus demonstrate significantly lower male suicide rates compared to the rest of the nation [ 16 ]. These numbers and demographic trends were noted almost 20 years ago and remain consistent with our data. The published data suggest that the highest suicide mortality rates among the male population in the North Caucasian Federal District were in the Republic of Alania, being higher than the indicators for the North Caucasian Federal District by about 15%. The lowest male suicide mortality rates were in the Republic of Ingushetia. The numbers are lower than these indicators for the whole North Caucasian Federal District by over two times. These male suicide mortality rates are the lowest of those discussed in this report. However, higher suicide rates were found among male soldiers who served in the Chechen wars and/or were actively serving in other areas of the Caucasus [ 17 ]. Figure Figure8 8 shows suicide mortality rates among the male population in various regions of the North Caucasian Federal District in 2015-2017 [ 11 , 12 ].

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Interestingly, the Russian Southern Federal District borders the republics of the North Caucasus. While some parts of that district are ethnically like the North Caucasus, the male suicide mortality rates are like other regions of Russia with a predominantly Slavic population. Data on male suicide mortality rates in various regions of the Southern Federal District from 2015-2017 showed a gradual tendency to decrease, but those numbers are still significantly higher than in the North Caucasus region. In the Republic of Kalmykia, suicide mortality rates among the male population in 2015-2017 were higher than in the Southern Federal District by about 20%. In the Rostov region, suicide mortality rates among the male population in 2015-2017 were about 15% lower than those in the Southern Federal District. Figure Figure9 9 illustrates suicide mortality rates among the male population in various regions of the Southern Federal District in 2015-2017.

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The Central Federal District is located in the center of the European part of Russia. It is the district with the highest density of population in Russia-60.30 people per square kilometer: a high level of urbanization, as about 50% of the population lives in the Moscow region. This region has a high level of economic and social activity and a presumably better socioeconomic situation. However, male suicide mortality rates vary between cities. Suicide mortality rates among the male population in the Belgorod Region and the city of Moscow were lower than in the whole Central Federal District. In the Kursk and Moscow regions, mortality rates were about the same as in the Central Federal District, especially in 2017. In the regions of Bryansk, Vladimir, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Smolensk, Tver, and Yaroslavl, suicide mortality rates among the male population were higher than in the Central Federal District. In 2015-2017, nearly all regions of the Central Federal District demonstrated decreased male suicide mortality rates. The fastest rates of decline were observed in the regions of Belgorod, Kursk, Smolensk, and Tver. In the Voronezh region, there was an increase in the death rate from suicide among the male population. In Moscow in 2016, the suicide mortality rate increased among the male population compared to 2015. In 2017, this index dropped again. Males aged 55 years and older were more likely to die from suicide than any other age group for both males and females. Figure Figure10 10 shows male suicide mortality rates in various regions of the Central Federal District and the Russian Federation in 2015-2017 [ 11 , 12 ].

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The red column (4.3) is the suicide mortality rate among the female population in Moscow in 2016 [ 11 , 12 ]

Male suicides in the Volga Federal District showed a linear trend of decline in 2015-2017, despite the risk factors for suicide generally increasing. The most significant decrease in male suicide mortality rates among the male population was observed in the Saratov region, which initially showed an unexpected increase in male suicide rates (higher than in the Volga Federal District by about 23%) [ 11 , 12 ]. Suicide mortality rates among the male population in the Ural Federal District in 2015-2017 also showed a tendency to decrease [ 11 , 12 ].

Social marginalization and depopulation are particularly widespread in regions of the Asian part of the country. Despite the implementation of additional state-run social and demographic incentives, the impoverishment of human capital is still evident in this region. This region is far removed from Russia’s European core and financial centers but remains uncomfortably close to dynamic and powerful China. Despite the oil and gas resources of East Siberia and the Far East Federal District, its regional product amounts to just 5-6 percent of Russia’s total gross domestic product (GDP).

These two regions have long been known as underdeveloped and socially challenging. Despite these circumstances, the suicide mortality rates among the male population in the Siberian Federal District (SFD) in 2015-2017 also showed a tendency to decrease. The most significant decrease in suicide mortality rates among the male population occurred in the Altai Republic. In the Krasnoyarsk Region, the Irkutsk region, the indicators were fairly even, like the rates for the Siberian Federal District. Interestingly, in Omsk, suicide mortality rates among the male population in 2015-2017 were about 10% lower than those in the entire Siberian Federal District. The official data show that the highest male suicide mortality rates in the Far Eastern Federal District were in the Amur and Sakhalin Regions, being higher than these rates for the Far Eastern Federal District by 28% and 23%, respectively. Interestingly, the lowest male suicide mortality rates were in the Kamchatsky Territory, where these numbers were lower than the indicators for the Far Eastern Federal District by about 10-15%. Figures Figures11 11 and 12 summarize data regarding male suicide mortality rates in various regions of the SFD and the Far Eastern Federal District in 2015-2017 [ 11 , 12 ].

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Data accuracy issues

According to the World Bank, Russia ranks third in the world in the suicide mortality rate, and this rate in 2019 was 25.10/100,000 per year. However, this rate is disproportionally higher for men. It is important to mention that these rates have been declining over the past 20 years. The available data highlight that the suicide mortality rate among Russian men was as high as 96.7/100,000 in 2000 and decreased to 43.60 in 2019 [ 18 ]. Interestingly, these numbers do not correlate with the data provided by Rosstat [ 3 ]. Table Table1 1 provides additional information on this matter.

Adopted from macrotrends.com [ 18 ].

The research data published in Russia are not always transparent. For example, the “event of undetermined intent” has shown exponential growth since 2014 and has exceeded suicide mortality rates [ 19 ]. The researchers believe that this subcategory includes “latent homicides and suicides,” while actual suicide mortality rates remain unclear. Local coding and data recording standards vary significantly and can negatively affect the transparency of the data. Specifically, many suicides are frequently listed within the “external causes of morbidity and mortality” subcategory [ 19 ]. The ICD-10 classification category includes multiple “environmental events and circumstances as the cause of injury, and other adverse effects,” where potential suicides can be included without any further systematization. “Latent suicides” include falls from heights, poisoning, and hanging with unspecified intent. They account for a significant proportion of suicide mortality. Since they are counted as events of undetermined intent, statistics show a sharp drop in suicide mortality rates, which has a linear trend [ 20 ]. This approach serves as a perfect example of data distortion practices. Moreover, there is no distinct updated information regarding suicides committed in Chechnya and in other North Caucasus republics. Yumaguzin (2019) indicated that suicide rates are significantly underestimated, while ill-defined causes of death are used to misinterpret data related to suicide and self-harming behaviors [ 19 ].

According to Verbitskaya [ 21 ], 80% of publications in Russian have methodological issues or unacceptable research designs. Based on our analysis, many studies conducted or published in Russia have methodological flaws (e.g., incomparable populations, lack of standards, internationally approved scales, and different designs). An analysis of the literature published in Russian showed that many journals have no specific or evidence-based standards for the description and presentation of research results. Although these issues are not directly related to our assessment of men’s suicide rates, it is important to mention these flaws to facilitate positive changes in data reporting. No matter how much the data vary, male suicide mortality rates remain exceptionally high.

Socioeconomic environment

Many experts agree that male suicide mortality rates are a consequence of social, economic, psychological, and demographic issues. Some of Russia’s cultural norms can be attributed to the nation’s tumultuous history, such as that of the former Soviet Union. With the fall of communism, the nation experienced social and economic hardships that adversely affected many Russians’ mental health. Some theorize that such monumental societal changes during that time have had long-term effects, persisting until the present day. However, there has been a downward trend in suicide rates over the last two decades because the nation has improved on many socioeconomic indicators [ 22 ]. The number of suicides correlates with social changes, such as resettlement, assimilation, and the destruction of the conventional social structure.

Financial struggles can be attributed to increased suicidality in men. The three main economic indicators, which are GDP, unemployment rate, and consumer price index, are associated with suicidal ideas, suicide attempts, and suicides [ 23 ]. In the economic crises of the 1990s, unemployment and a decrease in personal income were directly correlated with growing suicide rates, especially among men [ 24 ]. Another study evaluated how certain socioeconomic factors influenced suicide patterns within Russia. The findings demonstrated a significant decline in the male suicide rate with the country’s improvement in economic indicators (e.g., income per capita, GRP growth rate, etc.). The study also evaluated the effects of marriage and divorce on suicide rates among men. Marriage has negative effects on suicide rates, while divorce has positive effects on suicide rates [ 25 ]. Russian men are more prone to relocate and tend to move to large cities to obtain employment and work on a shift basis. These difficulties have also led to the insufficient development of institutions expected to address these social issues [ 26 ].

Geographical aspects

People living in rural areas of Russia are at a greater risk of suicide than those living in urban areas or big cities. The strength of the connection between intoxication and suicide also depends on the geographical region in Russia. Specifically, the data show that rates increase from the south and west to the north and east of the country [ 24 ].

Not only are suicide rates significantly lower in the Northern Caucasus, but other factors also make it important to consider other psychosocial factors. For example, a higher proportion of Muslims in these regions results in a different cultural context in the Northern Caucasus than in the rest of Russia, plus religious differences and Islamic scriptures against suicide. Furthermore, the intersection of these cultural factors with social institutions means that several of the measures included here as controls are confounded with a location in this area.

Average alcohol consumption in central Russia is high with a relatively large proportion of unrecorded consumption ranging from almost zero to 21 liters [ 27 ]. The rates of heavy alcohol consumption (more than 40 g of pure alcohol per day) among men were the lowest in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia (2.3 L of ethanol per adult/year) and the highest in Magadan region (24.3 L per adult/year) [ 28 ]. Alcohol consumption is lower in these regions, and wine products are more often consumed here than in the rest of the country, meaning that the preference for vodka is not as strong as elsewhere in Russia.

Cultural aspects

The Russian mentality is characterized by a man destined to serve the motherland, the army, and his family. Russian culture is rooted in rigid gender roles, and these norms are present even at the institutional level. In The ABC for Men, the author determined that Russia has over a dozen laws that discriminate against men. For example, Russian law supports the idea of motherhood among women, yet no laws exist that support fatherhood. Although there is no concept of "single father" in Russian law, the number of families consisting of single fathers with children is slowly growing in Russia (1.18% in 2002 vs. 1.27% in 2010. According to Russian law, these men are eligible for the same benefits as single mothers [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Russian legislators have attempted to pass several similar bills that, although unsuccessful, highlight the inequities between males and females.

Along these lines, men experience different expectations in terms of occupation. Women are not allowed to work certain jobs that are considered difficult or dangerous. Likewise, these occupations consist solely of male employees, allowing men easier access to suicide modalities at hazardous places of work. Such methods, such as pesticides or firearms, are more lethal. Not only this, but a man’s age of retirement is a full five years later than that of a woman [ 31 ]. These policies indicate Russian cultural pressures, which may adversely affect men’s mental health and suicide rates. Finally, 40-50 percent of all marriages in Russia will end in divorce or separation. High divorce rates may also contribute to the likelihood of higher suicide rates in this country [ 32 ].

Child and adolescent suicidality in Russia

Across all post-Soviet countries, Russia has one of the highest rates of child and adolescent suicide [ 33 ]. Parental neglect, such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in childhood (PSEA), is very common in Russian families. The link between PSEA and the risk of suicide throughout life has been confirmed by published research data [ 34 ].

According to multiple reports, Russia has often outstripped Europe when it comes to teen suicide rates [ 35 ]. The adolescent suicide rates (specifically between ages 15-34) have steadily increased since 1996, more so than the older age groups. Suicide among young Russian males is four times more common than among young females (32.8 per 100,000 people versus 7.6 in 2004), and it occurs among ever-younger males, some in their early teens [ 36 ]. Although younger groups have had consistently lower suicide rates than middle-aged and older adults, young Russian men have attempted suicide almost twice as often as female youth since 1989. According to reports, almost 4,000 teen suicide attempts were registered in Russia annually, and as many as 1,500 of them resulted in death. In 2016, an ominous report by journalist Galina Mursaliyeva in the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta surfaced, which brought to light the presence of online “death groups” on the social media platform vk.com , which influenced countless teenagers to commit suicide worldwide [ 37 ], the biggest proportion of which were Russian teenagers.

In turn, the administrations’ knee-jerk reactions to increasing internet censorship did little to address the situation. There was a 14% spike in emergency room trips for potential suicides by children and adolescents in 2018 compared to 2017 (692 in 2017 versus 788 in 2018), according to findings reported by state officials [ 38 ]. Local media reports estimated that adolescent suicide rates remained relatively unchanged in 2018-2019. Interestingly, local experts noted that increasingly more Russian teenagers wanted to participate in or “supervise” online suicide games in 2020-2021 [ 39 ].

The underlying conditions that deem these children more susceptible to suicidal ideations are social isolation, a dysfunctional family system (e.g. families with interpersonal conflicts, misbehavior, child abuse or neglect), increased social isolation due to stigma surrounding mental health, an inability to relate to the opposite sex, and intolerance toward LGBTQ+ youth [ 40 , 41 ]. Additionally, decreased attention by caregivers to a child’s emotional needs has been the norm for a long time.

Multiple support groups, such as Your Territory and Deti 404, have since emerged on Vk.com to give teenagers a platform to express their frustrations with a skilled support network that provides counseling and mental health support [ 40 ].

Mental health and stigma

Studies of the relationship between psychopathology, substance abuse, and suicide consistently indicate that around 70% of people who die from suicide suffer from an identifiable mental disorder before death. Episodes of major depression associated with a major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder account for at least half of suicide cases [ 42 ]. The prevalence of affective disorders in Russia ranges from 30-40%. The majority of cases remain underdiagnosed and undertreated [ 43 ]. Among suicides, there are usually many factors that can increase underlying risks or interact with depression and increase suicide risk, such as alcohol- and drug-related disorders, which are more common in men [ 44 ].

In almost all regions across the country, men consistently live shorter lives than women. Especially among middle-aged Russian men, high alcohol consumption and ongoing mental health problems contributed to gender differences in all-cause mortality [ 45 ].

In Russia, there is a stigma associated with mental health and consequent suicide. Many Russians consider mental health disorders to be self-inflicted and do not believe in treatment. This stigma can extend to a suicidal individual’s friends, family, and mental health professionals.

Binge drinking is commonplace among Slavic nations, with Russia being one of them. Suicides among men in Russia are specifically associated with high rates of alcoholism. Russia’s cultural pressures also affect the physical health of the country’s men. Men are discouraged from coping with life stressors in healthy ways, and many men turn to drinking or smoking to cope [ 31 ]. Data have shown that many Russian men drink alcohol to cope with stress, unemployment, depression - in situations in which they would otherwise have difficulty coping. High levels of alcoholism in Russia existed before the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, a sharp rise began in the early 1990s and has risen to one of the highest worldwide. Local officials have estimated that alcohol consumption is up to 15 liters per person per year, while consumption in the European Union and the United States is between 7 and 10 liters [ 31 ].

Vodka accounts for roughly 75% of the nation’s alcohol consumption, and approximately one-third of Russian men report binge drinking vodka at least once monthly [ 46 ]. While inebriated, individuals are more susceptible to existing mental health issues and maybe likelier to act on suicidal thoughts. It was shown that life expectancy decreased by 12% between 1990 and 1994, which was directly related to alcohol mortality [ 24 ]. Researchers estimate that 61% of male suicides in Russia involve alcohol, compared to 22% of deaths worldwide that involve alcohol [ 47 ].

Future trends

Russia is witnessing extremely high male suicide rates. As the high suicide rate among Russian males is multifaceted, it can be difficult to develop effective solutions. Current thinking suggests that access to mental health services can lessen suicide rates. Considering all the difficulties, the transition of primarily descriptive results to specialized suicide prevention programs among men turned out to be a challenging task that requires complex medical and social approaches [ 48 - 50 ].

In the last two decades, the Russian Federation has introduced many measures that have yielded tangible results. In the early 2000s, the state became fully involved in the control of the alcohol market [ 46 ]. In 2006, Russia implemented an alcohol policy to control the alcohol market and contain alcohol-related poisonings. President Putin implemented the law in January 2006, which regulated the volume and quality of alcohol products. The patterns thereafter revealed important learnings as to how alcohol consumption affects suicide rates. One study determined that the 2006 policy yielded a 9% decrease in male suicide mortality. This translates into 40, 000 male lives saved yearly from suicide by restricting alcohol [ 24 ].

The WHO published data that, in 2003, both alcohol-related mortality and the amount of alcohol consumed per year decreased significantly [ 51 ]. In this way, the mortality of men has decreased by as much as 40%, while men’s life expectancy has increased from 57 to 68 years over the past 15 years [ 51 ]. In the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, local experts suggested that the pandemic might lead to an increase in suicide among Russians. Official data released by Rosstat suggested that for the entire year 2020, the standardized mortality ratio due to suicides dropped by 4.1%. However, WHO experts concluded that suicide mortality in Russia is worse than officially reported. According to their report, “Suicide Worldwide in 2019: Global Health Estimates,” the suicide rates (per 100 000) were 25.1 (crude suicide rate) and 21.6 (age-standardized suicide rate), or at least twice as high as the official data [ 52 ]. Given these discrepancies in the data, it is almost impossible to predict future tendencies in men’s suicide mortality. Algorithms used to estimate suicide mortality in men are no longer valid since the data are often inaccurate.

Several effective suicide prevention programs have been implemented in Russia. For example, school- and college-based suicide prevention programs [ 53 - 55 ] have proven effective in reducing the number of suicide attempts among students. Programs aimed at meeting the needs of elderly people from high-risk groups were less effective due to the questionable design of those interventions [ 56 ], none of which have been implemented since 2019.

Laws that prevent access to a particular method, be they stricter firearm control laws, restriction of access and use of blister packs of pills, lockable pesticide boxes, or bridge barriers (often in combination with a crisis intervention telephone hotline), may affect the suicide rate, even if some adjustments to those methods may occur over time [ 57 ].

While Russia, unlike the United States, does not have anything like the Second Amendment in its Constitution, it does provide its citizens with the constitutional right to self-defense. Additionally, background checks before the ownership of guns are more rigorous and consider an individual’s medical and psychological history [ 58 ]. Despite stricter laws, certain individuals could easily bypass background checks either via corrupt measures or obtain firearms via illegal channels, which is a huge market. This problem was brought to the fore, especially after the mass shooting incident in the Russian city of Kazan in May 2021, when a 19-year-old went on a shooting spree, killing nine people and injuring 23. The authorities quickly passed stricter gun control laws, which included more stringent background checks and control over illegal gun trafficking [ 59 ].

The country also saw a spate of physician deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which two healthcare workers died, and one suffered serious injuries due to falling from a building. While the cause of death is still a matter of speculation, it brought into light a system underequipped to deal with the pandemic due to a short supply of equipment and manpower. Reports also highlight the apathy of the hospital administration in dealing with the sudden spike of COVID-19 cases and caring for healthcare workers, many of whom worked tirelessly even after becoming symptomatic [ 60 ].

Conclusions

Although the suicide statistics in Russia are profound, the suicide rate may be even higher than what has been reported. One of the biggest drivers of male suicidality in Russia is the country’s cultural norms. Russia remains very rooted in tradition, and within this tradition lies unique societal pressures. Cultural and psychosocial aspects of the Russian male experience, such as gender norms, low quality of life, and alcohol consumption, are likely key contributors to the country’s high suicide rates.

Our analysis of official reports and secondary sources in Russia also confirmed that there are too many publications of poor-quality study design and statistical analysis. Finally, continuous improvement of public health policy and fundamental and translational research can contribute to reducing the future suicide rate among the male population in Russia.

The content published in Cureus is the result of clinical experience and/or research by independent individuals or organizations. Cureus is not responsible for the scientific accuracy or reliability of data or conclusions published herein. All content published within Cureus is intended only for educational, research and reference purposes. Additionally, articles published within Cureus should not be deemed a suitable substitute for the advice of a qualified health care professional. Do not disregard or avoid professional medical advice due to content published within Cureus.

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Human Ethics

Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study

Animal Ethics

Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue.

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