The effect of group psychological counselling in Greek university students’ anxiety,depression, and self-esteem

Objective: During the last decades there has been a marked increase in both the number of students with severe psychological problems on campus and the number of students seeking counselling services. The present study measured the effect of a group psychological counselling program on university students’ anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. Design: Data were derived from six separate groups and a total of 53 participants (19 male, 34 female). The intervention was based on Cognitive-Behavioural Group Therapy (CBGT) and included cognitive and behavioural techniques in eight, two-hour weekly sessions. The quasi-experimental longitudinal study used a pretest/posttest group design. The participants completed the Spielberger's State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE) before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using t-tests. Results: The results indicated the existence of meaningful differences in terms of state and trait anxiety, depression and self-esteem from pre-treatment to post-treatment. Conclusion: The program was effective in decreasing significantly participants’ anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as increasing their self-esteem. These are encouraging results demonstrating an effective form of the intervention on student population.     

Influence of rumination and self‐efficacy on depression in Japanese undergraduate nursing students

Researchers have suggested that self‐efficacy can predict and prevent depression, while negative coping strategies, as typified by rumination, can lead to depression. The authors examined the relationship between self‐efficacy, rumination, and depression in Japanese nursing students. The result of a structural equation model showed that rumination, but not self‐efficacy, predicted depression. The result of simultaneous multiple group analysis indicated that there was homogeneity within the same path diagram between genders. The result implied that stress management should focus on controlling the degree of rumination rather than self‐efficacy in order to efficiently maintain the mental health of Japanese nursing students.     

Sexual violence perceptions among Christian college students

Sexual violence is a persistent problem, both nationally and globally, with college females having an elevated risk over their non-college peers. However, there have been limited studies exploring the beliefs that specific sub-populations, such as religious groups, have about sexual violence. A central objective of this study was to provide a better understanding of student needs in order to assist administrators and student service professionals as they offer support for students in Christian higher education settings. This study was a comprehensive, exploratory survey into the attitudes and perceptions of rape myth acceptance, sexism, authoritarianism, violence, and safety, as well as occurrence of sexual violence, among Christian college students at a mid-Atlantic Christian university was conducted. The results demonstrate which concepts relate to or were predicted by students’ rape myth acceptance, as well as ascertaining similarities and differences between secular and religious colleges. Recommendations for universities, program developers, and researchers are discussed.     

English for Bible and Theology: Understanding and Communicating Theology Across Cultural and Linguistic Barriers

This article introduces English for Bible and Theology (EBT), an inherently interdisciplinary field that merges English language learning with the content of biblical and theological studies in a context that is, by nature, cross‐cultural. Within this collaboration there exists the possibility not only to enable theological study, but also to enhance it through a focus on personal meaning and its communication, both of which are foundational to the communicative language classroom. That is, EBT seeks both to aid students worldwide in attaining the specialized language and cultural proficiency necessary to access English theological resources and to provide a community in which students can connect theological content to their lives. It is this second aim that provides EBT its relevance across a range of theological contexts, as native English‐speaking students likewise stand to benefit from the application of EBT's principles.     

A Survey of the Views of College Students on Academic Dishonesty

The purpose of the study was to examine students' views on dishonest academic behaviours. First year students from Mkoba Teachers' College in Zimbabwe's city of Gweru (n = 152) responded to an open-ended questionnaire that was used to collect data. Knowing examination questions or assignment answers in advance was rated as the worst dishonest academic behaviour engaged in at the college. Lack of preparation was put forward as the main reason why some students engage in academic cheating. Popular proposals for dealing with academic dishonesty included; encouraging students and lecturers to maintain their integrity, severely punishing perpetrators and enforcing security of examination materials. The findings have implications on how responsible authorities communicate appropriate norms to students.     

Psychological Well-Being and Resilience as Predictors of First-Year Students' Academic Performance

This study investigated aspects of psychological well-being (burnout and engagement) and resilience as predictors of the academic performance of a group of first-year students at a higher education institution. Participants included 789 first-year students at a South African university (females = 43%, majority ethnicity Black African = 58%). They completed measures of burnout, engagement and resilience. Data were analysed using stepwise multiple regression to determine whether burnout, engagement and resilience were statistically significant predictors of first year students' academic performance. The results indicated that burnout (specifically Emotional Exhaustion and Cynicism) and resilience (specifically Religion) were statistically significant predictors of academic performance. Students with lower levels of cynicism, who are emotionally and cognitively more involved in their studies, seem to perform better. Surprisingly, students who reported being emotionally more exhausted performed well in their studies. Those students who seem to have strong spiritual/religious beliefs also fared better with regard to academic performance than those of lower religious faith. Strong spiritual/religious anchors and continuous cognitive and emotional involvement in academic work are valuable resources to students in their academic performance.     

Self-efficacy and its relationship with satisfaction with life and happiness among university students

This study set out to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and satisfaction with life and happiness among university students in South Africa. The sample comprised 334 students (female = 222, male = 112, black = 96%, mean age = 23 years). The students completed a general self-efficacy scale, the satisfaction with life scale and the subjective happiness scale. Data were analysed utilising regression approaches to predict students’ satisfaction with life and happiness from self-efficacy. The results revealed higher self-efficacy scores to predict both higher satisfaction with life and happiness in both males and females. Self-efficacy seems to facilitate both satisfaction with life and happiness in general.     

Influences on Career Choice Among Psychology Undergraduate Students: Role of Social Agents

The study explored factors that mediate the choice of psychology as a major subject by undergraduate students. Participants were a convenience sample of 368 students from two higher education institutions in Southern Africa (males =186, females =182, mean age = 22.35 years, SD=2.84 years). Data were collected using a survey that investigated social agents that are considered important in students' career choices. The data were analysed to explore differences by family and peer influences. The findings suggest that the students in the sample regarded social influences important in their choice of psychology as a major subject.     

Substance Use Among High School Athletes

SUMMARY

During the past two decades, prevention specialists have responded to concerns about youthful substance use by developing a variety of programs. The most effective of these programs have been based upon our understanding of the risk and protective factors involved. While student-athletes generally share the same level of risk as other high school students, as a group, they may have other characteristics that can be considered. In addition, the special socializing experience of participating in athletics may present special opportunities for prevention. We suggest that it is prudent to build upon important lessons in designing programs for student athletes and we provide, as a starting point, an overview of twelve key processes with demonstrated impact.