Health risk behaviors of university students and their association with psychological well-being and sense of belonging: A latent class analysis
The purpose of the present study was to examine health risk behaviors of college students at Wichita State University, utilizing latent class analysis (LCA) and if sense of belonging and psychological well-being predict variation in latent class membership. A sample of 1,455 adult college students completed the American College Health Association – National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA III) survey composed of measures to assess a variety of health-related behaviors and wellness issues. Based on the LCA, a three-class model was identified as the final solution and the classes termed: Substance Use with Moderate Sleep, Low Substance Use with Insufficient Sleep, and Low Substance Use with Sufficient Sleep. The three latent classes that were identified varied mainly by substance use and sleep quantity. Notably, there was no significant predictive relationship between sense of belonging and class membership variation, whereas psychological well-being did show a significant association with the variation in class membership. Specifically, higher levels of psychological well-being were significantly linked with a decreased likelihood of belonging to the Low Substance Use with Insufficient Sleep class, indicating that individuals with better psychological well-being were more likely to endorse the behavioral patterns represented by the Low Substance Use with Sufficient Sleep class. These findings enhance our understanding of college health behaviors and underscore the importance of tailored interventions and campus prevention efforts. Additionally, it offers practical insights for supporting students in adopting healthier behaviors.
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