New data suggests that high-risk behaviors affecting the health of Michigan State University students are continuing to decrease and a strong sense of belonging could have something to do with that.
“This is the first year we surveyed students to determine their level of connection with the university and the results are positive,” said Larry Hembroff, survey director in MSU’s Office of Survey Research who recently presented the findings.
About 82 percent of students participating in the survey indicated that they have at least “some” to a “very strong” sense of belonging to the university.
“This strong sense of belonging and connection with the university could be one good reason why we’re seeing students continue to make better health choices,” said Dennis Martell, health education coordinator at Olin Student Health Center.
The findings are part of MSU's involvement in the National College Health Assessment Survey conducted every two years since 2000. Administered by MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, more than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students took part in the survey.
Highlights of the report:
- Ninety-two percent of the students who participated indicated their health was good or better.
- More than 98 percent of students reported not driving after five or more drinks (an increase from 90 percent in 2000), and nearly 81 percent report not driving after having drunk anything at all (up from 54 percent in 2000).
- The average blood alcohol content for undergraduate students the "last time they partied" dropped from .079 in 2012 to .069 in 2014. The legal limit is .080.
- About 75 percent of students continued to report as having only "one" or "none" sexual partners over the past 12 months.
- Nearly 70 percent of students have never smoked cigarettes, and about another 20 percent have not smoked in the previous month.
“These are clear indications that students are becoming more conscious about the choices they make,” Martell said.
MSU, in the past, has implemented programs to help students make better health decisions and provided the support needed to achieve academic success. In 1998, the university, along with support from East Lansing city officials, launched the Social Norms project to dispel the misperceptions centered on behaviors such as alcohol use and instead reinforce the positive behaviors that students are actually exhibiting to stay healthy.
The Neighborhood project is another initiative, started in 2010, which has drawn national recognition. Linking students to engagement centers in five residential areas on campus, students can find immediate help and support from academic advisers, health care providers, intercultural specialists and residence life coordinators.
“The fundamental principle behind the Neighborhood concept is to engage, connect and help students learn,” Martell said. “The more a student feels a sense of belonging with the environment they live and learn in, the better their chances are at being successful.”
The survey also revealed areas that need continued focus and support. For example, 28 percent of students reported that stress seriously affected their academic success, in addition to 19 percent experiencing sleep difficulties that affected how they did. Financial pressures were also a factor with 31 percent identifying it as being traumatic or very difficult to handle.
“With our Neighborhood program and many other support services in place, these are all areas that we will continue to focus on and improve, Martell said. “Yet overall, the MSU student is very sound and has the capacity to be academically successful here.”