{"id":1739,"date":"2026-08-01T17:10:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T17:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uni-r.pt\/?page_id=1739"},"modified":"2026-08-01T17:30:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T17:30:01","slug":"health-risk-behaviors-among-university-students-a-latent-class-analysis-and-its-association-with-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.uni-r.pt\/?page_id=1739","title":{"rendered":"Health Risk Behaviors Among University Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

T\u00e2nia Brand\u00e3o, Maria Jo\u00e3o Gouveia, David Neto, Francisco Queir\u00f3s, Filipe Loureiro, Teresa Almeida Rocha, Ana Cristina Martins, Sara Belo, Soraia Rodrigues & Maria Vargas-Moniz<\/p>\n

Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\n

Health behaviors (HB) are critical for university students, as they are closely associated with academic and overall well-being. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore health behaviors in a sample of university students, identify patterns of HB, and examine the association between these patterns and mental health outcomes. The sample consisted of 1085 university students enrolled at a private higher-education institution. Participants were predominantly female (83.4%), with a mean age of 22.74 years (SD<\/em>\u00a0= 7.03). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was employed to identify distinct classes of HB. Three classes were identified: Class 1, labelled as the Unhealthy habits – high-stress profile (15.7%); Class 2, labelled as the Healthy\/Low-risk group (68%); and Class 3, labelled as the Unhealthy habits – substance-use profile (16.3%). Significant differences in mental health outcomes were observed, with the Unhealthy habits – high stress profile displaying significantly worse mental health compared to the Healthy\/Unhealthy habits – substance use profile. These findings reinforce the idea that HB do not operate in isolation but are interdependent components of a broader lifestyle pattern. The findings may inform the development of targeted interventions to promote healthier lifestyle patterns and support mental health among university students, particularly for the Unhealthy habits – high stress profile in the student population.<\/p>\n

Keywords: <\/strong>Health Behaviors, Lifestyle, Mental Health, University, Latent Class Analysis<\/p>\n

Link de Acesso: <\/strong>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/003329412614738<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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