Who is experiencing challenges at university? A latent class analysis of mental health, substance use, social support, financial stress, and academic factors
2.30-3.00pm
Sarah Taylor (presenting author), Prof Lena Sanci, Dr Ian Williams, Dr Ann-Maree Duncan and A/Prof Melissa Russell, University of Melbourne
Although university is an exciting time for many students, some experience a range of difficulties, including mental health, substance use, financial concerns, and academic issues. Many studies have investigated these risk factors individually, but fewer studies have been conducted to understand how they co-occur.
We aimed to identify and describe latent classes of university students with similar profiles of risk factors, and their association with sociodemographic factors.
A secondary cross-sectional data analysis was undertaken within the “Towards a Health Promoting University” (THPU) survey. Data from the 12,890 participating coursework students were able to be included. A latent class analysis was conducted, and a multinomial regression analysis was then conducted to identify demographic predictors of class membership.
Five distinct classes of students were identified. The ‘Low Risk’ class (50.9%) had a low probability of all risk factors. The ‘Mental Health Issues’ class (19.5%) had a high probability of anxiety, depression, and loneliness but no other issues. The ‘Substance Issues’ class (9.7%) had a high probability of hazardous drinking and drug use but no other issues. The ‘Academic Issues’ class (8.9%) had a high probability of failed subjects and low WAM, and moderate probability of mental health symptoms. Finally, the ‘Multiple Risks’ class (5.9%) had a high probability of depression, anxiety, loneliness, hazardous drinking and substance use, and an elevated probability of financial stress and academic issues. Participants with self-described gender, those who identified as mostly not heterosexual, and domestic students had an increased relative risk of membership in the ‘Multiple Risks’ class.
This research will help us to understand how these risk factors co-occur and who is most likely to be facing challenges at university. This knowledge will help universities to identify students requiring additional support, so that it can be provided in a timely manner.