MJAMR

Predicting the Likelihood of Mental Health Issues in College Students Based on Lifestyle Factors

Akampurira Sarah, Ahumuza Audrey


Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between lifestyle factors and mental health outcomes among college students, as well as the mediating role of perceived stress, academic pressure, and technology usage in these relationships. The study aimed to address the rising mental health concerns among college students, a trend exacerbated by the unique developmental challenges and stressors inherent in the college experience, including academic pressures, social adjustments, financial strains, and the transition to independent living. A sample of 400 college students completed self-report measures of sleep quality, nutritional habits, physical activity, social support, substance use, perceived stress, academic pressure, technology usage, anxiety, and depression. The findings revealed significant associations between lifestyle factors and mental health outcomes. Sleep quality emerged as the strongest predictor of both anxiety (β = 0.26, p < .001) and depression (β = 0.33, p < .001), with poorer sleep quality associated with higher mental health symptoms. Social support was the second strongest predictor, demonstrating significant negative relationships with anxiety (β = -0.22, p < .001) and depression (β = -0.29, p < .001). Perceived stress, academic pressure, and technology usage significantly mediated the relationships between lifestyle factors and mental health outcomes, with perceived stress demonstrating the strongest mediating effects (B = 0.35, 95% CI for sleep quality on anxiety through perceived stress). Cluster analysis identified three distinct lifestyle profiles with differential risk for mental health issues: a "Healthy Lifestyle" cluster, a "Moderate Lifestyle" cluster, and a "Poor Lifestyle" cluster, with the latter exhibiting substantially higher levels of anxiety (M = 14.78, SD = 4.23) and depression (M = 16.12, SD = 5.13) compared to the other clusters (all p < .001). The models for anxiety and depression explained 41% and 47% of the variance, respectively. These findings highlight the potential value of lifestyle-based approaches to mental health promotion and prevention in college settings and suggest that interventions targeting modifiable behaviors,
Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research

Cite This Article

Akampurira Sarah & Ahumuza Audrey (2025). Predicting the Likelihood of Mental Health Issues in College Students Based on Lifestyle Factors. Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research, 4(3). https://journals.miu.ac.ug/pages/article.php?article_id=783