Household characteristics and mental health status among student nurses in a private university

Abstract

Online learning has reduced teacher-to-student and student-to-student communication, leading to increased depression, anxiety, and stress among students, while household characteristics including family nature, authority, parents’ education level, attitude, and income, significantly influence students’ mental health (Chang et.al., 2021). The study aimed to determine household characteristics and student nurses’ mental health status in a private university during the second semester of academic year 2022-2023. The study utilized a quantitative research design, focusing on a sample size of 173 third-year student nurses out of a total population of 306. Study population was divided into eight sections, with respondents proportionally selected from each section. A mental health questionnaire was used to assess participants’ mental health. Results and discussions delved into household characteristics affecting mental health status, responses based on the questionnaire, and crosstabulations linking household characteristics including nature of family, authority figures, and parents’ educational status, parenting styles, attitude of parents towards children, financial status, conflict in tasks and household chores, conflict in academic roles and roles as family members, and background noises to mental health status. Findings revealed that identified household characteristics including parental treatment, conflicts between academic responsibilities and household chores, inadequate support and understanding from family members, and background noises during live video lectures contribute significantly to mental health challenges faced by student nurses, emphasizing the need to foster a supportive and nurturing home environment, particularly during times of increased academic and personal stress. This provides valuable insights in addressing mental health needs among student nurses. While the study was limited to a specific university and population, a more comprehensive approach involving a broader range of participants could provide a more holistic understanding of the topic. This contributes to the ongoing dialogue on mental health support within educational settings, particularly for student nurses, and underscores the importance of considering household dynamics in promoting overall well-being.