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Cited by 55Racial and Ethnic Identity ResearchPsychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionHigher Education Research Studies

Protective factors associated with positive mental health in traditional and nontraditional Black students.

Mushonga, Dawnsha R., Henneberger, Angela K.·2020·American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
DOI 10.1037/ort0000409
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Abstract

Black students have higher levels of psychological distress compared with other students, in part to racism and discrimination; however, help-seeking remains low. As a result, most research has been deficit-based focusing on mental illness, which provides an incomplete state of their mental health. Therefore, very little is known about positive mental health (PMH), which is composed of social, emotional, and psychological well-being. To better understand their complete state of mental health, this study examined variations in levels of PMH among 235 Black traditional (ages 18 to 25) and nontraditional (ages 26+) college students attending historically Black colleges and universities and predominantly White institutions, in addition to identifying protective mechanisms promoting flourishing within these subgroups. The sample included 156 traditional college students (Mage = 20.88, SD = 2.12; 83% female) and 79 nontraditional college students (Mage = 36.06, SD = 36.1; 80% female). Approximately 54.4% of nontraditional students were flourishing compared with 43.6% of traditional students who were moderately mentally healthy. No significant differences were found in PMH among Black students attending historically Black colleges and universities and predominantly White institutions. Results indicate spirituality, social support, self-esteem, and racial identity (low centrality and high public regard) are associated with PMH in Black traditional students; however, spirituality, self-esteem, and racial identity (high public regard) were associated with PMH in nontraditional students. Our findings emphasize the importance of integrating identified protective mechanisms into existing programs and services to increase levels of flourishing among Black students within the college setting. Implications and recommendations for future research are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

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Crossref · 10.1037/ort0000409

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Authors
Mushonga, D. R., & Henneberger, A. K.
Affiliations
University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2020
Volume
90
Issue
1
Pages
147-160
ISSN
  • 0002-9432 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-0025
DOI
10.1037/ort0000409
OpenAlex
W2931303208
Cited by
55
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 2
FWCI
10.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Social Sciences › Education › Higher Education Research Studies
Keywords
positive mental health, African American college students, non-traditional students, traditional students, historically Black colleges and universities, predominantly white institutions, eudaimonia, protective factors, spirituality, social support, self-esteem, racial identity, racism and discrimination, help-seeking
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Black or African American, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Religion and Psychology, Self Concept, Social Identification, Social Support, Students, Universities, Young Adult, Protective Factors

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