Research

University students often face high stress and long periods of sedentary study, yet little is known about how daily physical activity influences their stress and academic functioning. This research explored how leisure-time exercise and short activity breaks relate to stress, recovery and perceived study performance among 57 university students over a ten-day home-study period. The […]

The transition into university is a period of major lifestyle change, yet limited evidence has tracked how student health behaviours and mental wellbeing are shifting over time. This research examined trends in diet, physical activity, sleep, sedentary behaviour and substance use, alongside psychological distress, in first-year Australian university students across four cohorts from 2016 to […]

Food insecurity is an increasing issue in Australian higher education, yet its broader impact on student wellbeing is still not well understood. This research investigated how food insecurity, diet quality, physical activity and social connectedness relate to depressive symptoms in 145 University of Canberra students, using validated measures to capture post-pandemic health and wellbeing patterns. […]

The use of social networks has grown dramatically, with 62.3% of the world’s population reportedly engaging on these platforms for an average of 2 hours and 23 minutes each day. While social media can be a powerful tool for communication, education, and connection, it can also spread misinformation and contribute to unhealthy usage patterns. This […]

Physical activity is widely recognised as an effective way to promote mental health, enhance wellbeing, and prevent mental ill-health across all demographic groups. This national consensus statement from Sports Medicine Australia and the Australian Psychological Society offers evidence-based guidance on how to design and promote physical activity to maximise its mental-health benefits. It identifies five […]

Young adults in higher education are often assumed to face greater mental health risks than their non-student peers, yet direct comparisons are limited. This research examined the mental health and wellbeing of 1,708 young Australians aged 17–25, including 828 university students and 880 non-students. It compared levels of psychological distress, wellbeing, resilience, and loneliness, and […]

Universities are increasingly recognised as key settings for promoting health and wellbeing to enhance academic success, career readiness, and lifelong healthy behaviours. This research conducted a large baseline survey of students at an Australian university to examine health, academic, and social factors influencing wellbeing. The findings were used to inform the university’s new Student Health […]

This research was conducted as a national study exploring how Australian universities translate health and wellbeing policies into practical action. While most institutions endorse the importance of student wellbeing, there is limited understanding of how these commitments are implemented across whole-of-university systems. This research targeted Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Academic) as participants, recognising their central role within […]

Universities play a crucial role in supporting student mental health, however, national consistency in strategy and policy remains limited. This research reviewed 39 Australian universities to assess how well their mental health policies align with Orygen’s Australian University Mental Health Framework, which sets six principles for creating mentally healthy campus environments. These principles emphasise student-informed […]

A 2024 randomised controlled trial investigated yoga as a mental health intervention for university students, a population who often face high stress and anxiety. The study recruited 129 students, assigning half to a 12-week yoga program (two 60-minute sessions weekly) and half to a control group. Outcomes measured with validated tools showed that the yoga […]