Research to assess holistic health of University
University of the Sunshine Coast Honours student Sophia Parker, 28, is conducting a ground-breaking study to determine the health of the University.
Sophia plans to go well beyond what previous studies at other universities have done in assessing only the physical and mental health of students and their risk factors for ill-health.
Her comprehensive survey of staff and students will collect data on mental, physical, spiritual and social health and well-being status. It also will collect information about a range of behaviours and the social, economic, political, built and natural environments that impact on health and well-being.
Sophia, who has a Bachelor of Science (Public Health) degree, said the results of her research would help guide the University in developing holistic health promotion programs for the entire USC community.
She said her research could be used for the assessment of health at other universities and other organisations around the world.
Sophia will this week distribute a questionnaire designed by her Honours supervisor, Public Health lecturer Lily O’Hara, with the aim of gaining 1,000 respondents.
“While studies at other universities have assessed the health of university students, the majority of these have assessed health negatively as 'disease' or 'risk factors' for disease,” Sophia said.
“They have focused on mental and physical health and risk behaviours that impact on these, like smoking, alcohol use, unsafe sex and the foods that people eat.
“But these studies fail to consider other aspects of health and well-being and their underlying contributing factors, and do not provide an accurate picture of health status or guide the development of appropriate health programs.”
Sophia said spiritual health included having a sense of purpose in life, a feeling of being connected to a higher power, the universe or nature, and a sense of identity and life direction.
Social health includes having rewarding friendships, close loving relationships, and being valued and respected in work and social relationships.
Sophia aims to collate her survey results from late-April and present her research findings in August.
USC students and staff wishing to complete the survey can log on to the USC Portal, click on the Student Central tab, and then on the USC Holistic Health and Well Being announcement.
— Terry Walsh