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Using Positive Psychological Capital to Predict Mental Health in College Students: Implications for Counseling and Higher Education

Selvaraj, Priscilla R.
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9937-0444
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1430740956

Abstract Details

2015, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Counselor Education (Education).
In studying human behavior, there has been a tradition of focusing on deficits and problems, rather than strengths and resources. To emphasize a holistic perspective and a wellness approach, the field of positive psychology redirects attention to individual strengths and assets to ensure optimal functioning. Using a positive psychology lens, this cross-sectional, exploratory study measured college students’ mental health and Psychological Capital [PsyCap] (Luthans, Youssef, & Avolio, 2007). PsyCap is comprised of four positive psychological strengths:- Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism (HERO), measured using the Academic PsyCap Questionnaire [A-PCQ] (Luthans, Luthans, & Jensen, 2012), within Overall-life and School-work categories. Mental health was assessed using Keyes Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF; Keyes, 2002, 2009), which provides: (i) a mental health score; (ii) well-being clusters (emotional, social, and psychological); and (iii) mental health categories (languishing, moderately mentally healthy, and flourishing). In addition to descriptive analyses of the sample characteristics, the objectives of the study were: (i) to evaluate the relationship between PsyCap and mental health; (ii) to determine differences in PsyCap within individuals who fell into languishing, moderately mentally healthy, and flourishing mental health categories; and (iii) to determine the extent of variability in mental health using PsyCap HERO dimensions as predictors. Multiple regression and one-way ANOVAs were used to address the research objectives. Results indicated a positive linear relationship between PsyCap and mental health. Furthermore, PsyCap significantly varied within each of the mental health categorical groupings and also predicted about 43% of the variance in mental health. Findings suggest that developing positive psychological strengths such as hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism within college students could increase their positive mental health. Based on the findings of this study, implications and recommendations are provided for counselors, counselor educators, and higher education personnel including those in student affairs and administration. Limitations and suggestions for future research are presented.
Christine Bhat, PhD (Advisor)
Yegan Pillay, PhD (Committee Member)
Peter Mather, PhD (Committee Member)
Krisanna Machtmes, PhD (Committee Member)
211 p.
Counseling Education; Counseling Psychology; Educational Psychology; Higher Education; Management
Psychological Capital; Mental Health; College Students; Counseling; Higher Education; Flourishing; Well-being; Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Selvaraj, P. R. (2015). Using Positive Psychological Capital to Predict Mental Health in College Students: Implications for Counseling and Higher Education [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1430740956

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Selvaraj, Priscilla. Using Positive Psychological Capital to Predict Mental Health in College Students: Implications for Counseling and Higher Education. 2015. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1430740956.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Selvaraj, Priscilla. "Using Positive Psychological Capital to Predict Mental Health in College Students: Implications for Counseling and Higher Education." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1430740956

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1430740956
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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.