Communication Faculty Publications

Health practices, resilience, perceived social support, and mental health well-being among college students

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2026

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the unique contributions of five health practices to mental health well-being among college students and tested whether resilience and perceived social support shape these associations.

Methods: Undergraduate students (N = 177) at a large Hispanic-Serving Institution in South Texas completed measures of health practices, resilience, perceived social support, and mental health well-being during Spring 2025.

Results: Of the five health practices, only adequate sleep and adaptive care-seeking uniquely predicted mental health well-being. Resilience partially mediated the association between sleep and mental health and fully mediated the association between avoiding substance use and mental health. Perceived social support moderated the association between sleep and resilience, with stronger associations observed among students with moderate or high support.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that campus mentalhealth efforts may be most effective when they promote healthy behaviors in combination with building resilience and strengthening students' social support networks.

Comments

Copyright Taylor and Francis LLC.

https://www.tandfonline.com/share/M9SRGUS8B5HCUS4TQKTK?target=10.1080/07448481.2026.2691313

Publication Title

Journal of American College Health

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2026.2691313

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