Social-emotional health in higher education: a psychometric evaluation with Turkish students


Arslan G., Allen K., Telef B. B., Craig H.

BRITISH JOURNAL OF GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING, pp.1-14, 2020 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/03069885.2020.1789554
  • Journal Name: BRITISH JOURNAL OF GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, IBZ Online, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Psycinfo, Sociological abstracts, DIALNET
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-14
  • Keywords: covitality, higher education, mental wellbeing, psychological adjustment, Social-emotional health
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The present study investigated the utility and validity of the Social Emotional Health Survey-Higher Education (SEHS-HE) among Turkish students (N = 345) in higher education. Confirmatory factor analysis found acceptable data-model fit statistics foraprioriSEHS-HE latent measurement models and its second-ordercovitalitylatent construct. The covitality latent construct was associated with higher levels of mental wellbeing, higher academic achievement, and lower levels of psychological symptoms. Findings provided preliminary evidence supporting the use of the SEHS-HE to measure Turkish university students' social-emotional strengths. Research is needed to further evaluate how the SEHS-HE can be used to inform prevention and intervention services on university campuses that aim to improve students' social, emotional, and mental health and wellbeing.