Variables predicting the mental health status of Chinese college students.

The purpose of this study was to examine variables that affected the mental health of Chinese college students. The variables were ethnicity, gender, age, place of origin, and level of satisfaction with major. Mental health status was classified into Groups A, B, and C, as measured by the University Personality Inventory. Group A referred to students with severe mental health problems necessitating counseling services, Group B students experienced adjustment problems, and Group C students had no symptoms of mental health problems. The results indicated that ethnicity, gender, age, and level of satisfaction with one's major could significantly differentiate Group A and Group C students. The strongest predictor of Group A and Group B relative to the Group C membership was the level of satisfaction with one's major. Implications and directions for future studies were presented.