Out of Sight, Out of Mind: The Health and Well-being of Australian University Students Studying by Distance

Background

Student health literature generally focuses on health risk behaviours of younger on-campus students, however little is known about the extent to which students studying by distance engage in health risk or health promoting behaviours.

Purpose

This research explored the relationship between distance students' health risk and health promoting behaviours and stressors, strains, coping and academic outcomes by comparing with on-campus students.

Significance

Distance students (typically non-traditional students over 25yrs), are a growing student cohort. These students typically face social, work, financial, and academic pressures, which may impact on their health and well-being, ability to cope, and academic performance.

Methodology

Findings are based on university wide survey of an initial sample of 430 (157 on-campus and 273 distance)students within a Regional Australian University. The sample included students from various faculties, study modes and levels of programs.

Findings

Distance students were older than on-campus students, had better problem focused coping, lower levels of psychological distress, and experienced less stressors and strains than on-campus students. There were little differences in health promoting behaviours between the two groups. There were no significant relationships found between academic performance and health risk and health promoting behaviours.

Conclusions

These findings may guide university supports to distance students, including the dissemination of proactive ways of adjusting to university with competing demands.