General Questions:
1. Where are you from?
A. Asia B. Europe C. Africa D. America
2. Your scope of age?
A. 16-18 B. 19-25 C. over 26
3. What is your gender?
A. Male B. Female C. Other
Sub Questions:
Dose diet habit affects mental well-being?
1. How often do you eat vegetables?
A. Daily B. Weekly C. Monthly
2. How many meals do you eat a day?
A. 1-2 B. 2-3 C. over 3
3. Do you like to drink alcohol?
YES/NO
How the alcohol affects mental well-being? (IF I.3 Tip YES)
1. How many times do you drink a week?
A. 1-2 B. 2-3 C. over 3
2. How much alcohol do you drink each time? (200ml per cup)
A. 1-2 cups B. 2-3 cups C. 3-5 cups D. over 5 cups
3. How many times did you feel blue or unhappy a month?
A. 1-2 B. 2-3 C. 3-5 D. over 5
What students and college should do to decline effect of mental health problems?
1. Would you like to face mental health problems on you?
YES/NO
2. Do you see doctor to ask mental issues regularly?
YES/NO
3. What would you do if you have mental health problems?
A. Talk with friends B. See Doctor C. Stay alone D. Do sports
4. What do you think that the best way to deal with mental health issues? (E.g. play with
friends)
_________________________________________________________
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
Abstract
The mental health issues always impact students in college and university.
This research investigated that how the alcohol abuse and diet habit affect the
mental health of NTIC students as well as present the suggestion which could
decline negative effects of mental health problems on students.
This research used the quantitative method to investigate. Taking 30
respondents in NTIC and sort them for 3 groups (Asia, Europe, Africa). There
are 10 students in each group.
Through this research, the findings are obvious that the alcohol abuse and
diet habit changing really affects the diet habit of NTIC students as well as the
mental well-being of them. At the same time, this research also found that the
alcohol ingestion also impact other behavior of students.
1. Introduction
Regardless of the past or the present, the Mental Well-being issues affects
students in schooling period, especially the International students is
influenced deeply. Thus, this problem must be concerned. This issue not only
influences study of students, but also the quality of life, even their own future.
In the colleges which are full of International students is both haunted by
problems of decreasing study skills and the fluctuated mood of them when
students communicate with others. This project investigated sources of
mental health issues of the NTIC students.
After investigation, what mental health issues occurred on the NTIC students
are fluctuated mood, irritability, anxiety, and procrastination etc. Causes of this
situation mainly include excessive intake of alcohol, irregular time schedule
and less intake of vegetables. Especially, that students always do not want to
share these problems with friends, tutors and even doctor lead to the
aggravating state of illness.
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
To supply an event which occurred in 2005, a student in the UK committed
suicide because of pressure of study. According to the survey of XXX in XXX,
that student often drank alcohol to release stresses as well as always being
isolated during the student under the situation of mental health illness. His
behaviors like drinking alcohol and being isolated lead this normal mental
issues to a suicide event. The indoctrinate indicate that a little mental problem
and the wrong life habit could cause fearful consequences. So, this project is
worthy to research. In this research, exhorting international students that how
to resolve mental issues coordinating with colleges and reducing effects of
mental problems are the final purpose.
This research will follow these questions:
1. Dose diet habit affects mental well-being?
2. How the alcohol affects mental health of students?
3. What students and colleges could do to decline effect of mental health
problems?
For the purpose of precise data, the method of this research is quantitative.
Taking 30 respondents in NTIC and sort them for 3 groups (Asia, Europe,
Africa). There are 10 students in each group.
2. Methodology
In this research, what methodologies have been used are quantitative
research method and qualitative research method. The quantitative research
method could find and reflect the overall condition of research targets.
Through analysis of data, the main factor, which could lead to issues in
research, could be found using this method. The data could also easily to
collect, because questions of survey are usually easier to answer and
understand for respondents. The qualitative research method is that give
some open question to respondents to answer. This method could discover
what respondents would do or psychological status when they deal with
issues. Relatively, the data is more difficult to collect, so this method is only
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
used slightly.
Questionnaire, in this research, are administered by method of face-to-face.
This pattern is convenient to communicate with respondents as well as
questions from respondents can be answer on time.
This questionnaire is designed to include three types of questions, four
sections and thirteen questions.
Example 1: How many times did you feel blue or unhappy a month?
Example 2: Would you like to face mental health problems on you?
Example 3: What do you think that the best way to deal with mental health
issues? (E.g. talking with friends)
Sample 1 is the single choice question as well as this type of question, in this
questionnaire, will give at least three selections.
Sample 2 is the question with ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Sample 3 is the unique open question in this questionnaire.
That the sampling strategy was used, in this research, is based on accuracy
and quality of data. It is otherwise from regular paper questionnaire, but
through chatting and motion communicating with respondents to obtain more
precise and sincere data. In addition, for the purpose of obtaining each
feature which come from different regions and cultures, samples has been
separated by 3 different areas.
There are overall thirty respondents participated in this research. Based on
areas where they come from, there are 10 respondents, who come from Asia,
Europe and Africa, in each region group respectively. The quantity of males
are nineteen and females are eleven. They are further comprising age of 16-
18 group, 19-25 group and over 26 group. 5 students are in group 16-18, 15
students are in 19-25 group and 10 students in over 26 group.
The purposes of this research are that finding out what the status of life
students are located. Through understanding their life habit, such as whether
they drink alcohol or have regular life style, to find which factor could lead
students to mental health issues.
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
Every questionnaire with one respondent could spent a long time to
communicate and explain. Some conditions as follow:
Students did not view questions carefully and give the random answers.
Students’ answers which they want to answer are not in scale of selections.
The private information that collecting using questionnaire will be cryptic
austerely. Before answering the questions, the notice, may use anonym, will
be mentioned. The information from answer of question will not be announced
symmetrically, but will be announced without name. It could promised privacy.
3. Literature review
Recent years, mental health issues have been beginning affected the NTIC
students. They have been beset by fluctuated moods, depression and rage
etc. Especially the college students who facing to exam pressures. Suicide
tendency, depression and many other problems are disturbing students with
mental problems. Even if, students always be hurt, there are still plentiful of
approaches to guide them keeping away from these issues. Reasons that
lead to mental health problems is multitudinous. So research and
understanding of these reasons is very important. The irregular diet habit,
alcohol abusing, disable to release stresses or circumstances would
contribute to mental health issues among students.
3.1 Review relate to “How the alcohol and diet habit affect mental health
of students”
In recent years, times of mental health issues on NTIC students have been
risen dramatically and seriously. Hunt, and Eisenberg, demonstrated the data
of college students had tendency to commit suicide because they have mental
problems: “According to a study of 26,000 students from 70 colleges and
universities in 2006, 6% of undergraduates and 4% of graduate students
reported having seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months
(2009)” At the same time, they also pointed out that, there were 17 % of
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
college students had suffered the depression (Hunt & Eisenberg, 2009). From
data above, Hunt and Eisenberg argued that students face mental health
problems because of alcohol abusing, 18% suffering with personality disorder,
12% struggling with anxiety disorder and 11% students’ mood was disorder
(Hunt & Eisenberg, 2009).
These data and points from Hunt and Eisenberg prove that alcohol abusing
would seriously impact mental health of students in NTIC.
According to points of Wechsler, Henry, and Toben, the alcohol abuse could
affect diet habit as well (2008). They indicated that alcohol seriously impacts
physical function and secreting of beta endorphin (a kind of material which
can adjust and control well-being). At the meantime, alcohol abusing could
also lead to changing of diet habit which detest vegetables and any kind of
lacking food with thrill flavor (Wechsler, Henry, and Toben, 2008). Jacka,
Felice, et al, also keep the same point of alcohol abusing, they argued that
alcohol could lull alcohol drinkers’ gustatory nerves and contribute to they like
to eat and drink the food with thrill taste (2011). They pointed simultaneously
that diet habit could affect mental health easily, the body which lacking vitamin
and dietary fiber could lead to unbalanced pH value in body. At the meantime,
this result could contribute to testy mood and depression (Jacka, Felice N., et
al, 2011).
These data and points above prove that diet habit is also an important reason
which could lead to mental health problems.
3.2 What students and college should do to decline effect of mental
health problems?
Cleary, Horsfall, Baines and Happell provided methods that the students and
the college could do to decline the effects of mental health peoblems:
“General education programmes with an orientation towards health promotion
and holistic wellbeing being available to all students, would assist with de-
stigmatisation, increase mental health literacy and contribute to prevention
(2011)” According to these approaches above, the college could establish
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
classes of mental education. However, whether students want to take this
class is a limitation of this method. Authors advised that: “Constrictive
Teaching Approach” to identify and limit the impact of mental health issues
(Cleary, Horsfall, Baines & Happell, 2011).They also advised that the college
should increase times of communication with students and understand what
situation they are under (Cleary, Horsfall, Baines & Happell, 2011).
M Blanco, Carlos, et al argued that, they keep the same point that students
should accept any type of communication with college as well as they should
do as follow to decrease risk of mental health issues. They also provided
some proposals when students recognized that they have issues of mental
health: 1. See the Doctor weekly. 2. If meet serious situation, at least to stay
one night in the hospital for observation mental state. 3. The regular use of
prescription drugs until the emotional stability (Blanco, Carlos, et al, 2008).
4. Findings and discussion
4.1 Introduction of findings and charts
After the research, this section will present the main findings of this survey
among the NTIC students. In the following context, the information of research
respondents will be introduced firstly, at the meantime, briefly explain the
reason of sort of respondents. (See Figure. 1.).
The next paragraph will be the evidence which could support next findings
and discussions. It presents Quantity of NTIC Students from different regions
like using the alcohol and provides the total quantity of alcohol drinker
separate by the age. It finds that the most respondents of alcohol drinkers are
from the Africa (See Figure. 2.).
The third and the fourth paragraph will demonstrate differences of behavior
between alcohol drinkers and non-drinkers. That includes life habit (Vegetable
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
ingestion and Pattern of daily meals) and the alcohol drinkers’ mental status
(Times feel blue or unhappy) which relate to times and quantity they drink
alcohol refreshments. The total finding is that the alcohol ingestion affects the
life habit and mental status (See Figure. 3, 4.).
The last paragraph will introduce the findings of how respondents deal with
mental health problems on them and the attitude after they have mental
issues (See Figure. 5, 6.). At the meantime, relate the finding of these two
charts to the alcohol drinker and non-drinker. Then, present the conclusion of
this research.
4.2 Main finding and discussion
4.2.1 Sort of Respondents
First of all, the types of respondents had been selected who are from 3
different regions (Asia, Europe and Africa). There are 10 people in each
areas. They also could be sort by yellow race, white people and black people.
The age of 19-25 occupies the most part of all respondents. As shown as the
following figure.
Figure. 1:
Research Respondents Sort
7
55
6
4
33
MaleFemale16-1819-25over 26
(Figure. 1, Research Respondents Sort, from: The research questionnaire in
Appendix 2)
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
The sort as different regions could be propitious to further findings’ veracity.
Because, there are different cultures, habits and attitudes of alcohol between
these regions. Based on these features of 3 areas people, this research could
find that which factor could easily lead to the mental health problems.
4.2.2 Distinction between 3 areas people
In this section, the data will explain quantity of people who drink alcohol.
Through the data which the “Figure. 2.” presents, all the Africa students in this
survey like to drink alcohol. By contrast, students who drink alcohol
refreshments from the Asia are only 2. Alcohol drinkers from the Europe are
also occupy the most of all European students. It’s worth noting that all of
alcohol drinkers are in group of 19-25 and over 26 years old.
Figure. 2:
Quantity of NTIC Students From Different
Regions Like Using Alcohol
4
over 26
19-25
16-18
Africa
Europe
Aisa
0246810121416
3
2
7
(Figure. 2, Quantity of NTIC Students from Different Regions like Using
Alcohol, from: The research questionnaire in Appendix 2)
According to the Hunt and Eisenberg in 2009 that the alcohol ingestion impact
students’ mental well-being after they drank as well as the students over 25
years old would face the serious risk of mental health problems occurring.
Therefore, student alcohol drinkers in this survey would face more negative
impacts (E.g. Life Habit, Pattern of daily meals and mental status etc.) in the
further life after they drink alcohol frequently.
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
4.2.3 Impact by alcohol of diet habit and mental status
The research investigated alcohol drinkers’ diet style and habit in this section.
In the data, it is obviously presented in the Figure 3 that vegetable ingestion
situation of alcohol drinkers is taking the dismal view. There are 15 students
choose to eat vegetable weekly in scale of totally 19 alcohol drinkers, by
contrast, there are 8 non-drinker students choose to ingest vegetable every
day in total 11 non-drinkers.
The other part of this chart, there are 12 drinkers in the NTIC eating 1-2 times
a day as well as even there are 2 drinkers select to eat over 3 times per day.
There are 6 and 5 non-drinkers choose to eat 1-2 times and 2-3 times
respectively.
These 2 types of data indicates that ingestion of alcohol seriously affect the
diet habit and pattern of daily meals. Henry, and Toben argued that alcohol
over-ingestion could bring students irregular diet till they stop to drink for over
6 month (2008). At the meantime, irregular diet and life habit could lead to
many troubles, such as mood depression, pressure or well-being decreased.
Figure. 3:
Life Habit Between Alcohol Drinkers and Non-
Drinkers
15
8
2
DaliyWeeklyMonthly1-2 times2-3timesover 3 times
Ingestion) (Meals Per Day)
(Figure. 3, Life Habit Between Alcohol Drinkers and Non-Drinkers, from: The
research questionnaire in Appendix 2)
2
2
1
(Vegetable
Drink AlcoholDo not Drink Alcohol
According the result and prediction above from the Figure 3, the data of over-
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
drinking will be presented by the Figure 4. All the Africa students and most of
the European students in NTIC drink alcohol between 1-2 weeks and most of
them drink over 5 cups of alcohol (200ml/Cup). Most of Africa drinkers in
NTIC felt 2-3 times blue or unhappy per month as well as 6 European drinks
felt that reflection for 3-5 times monthly. Even there is 1 Africa students felt
over 5 times of that reflection each month.
Figure. 4:
Mental Status among Alcohol Drinkers From
Different Regions based on Quantity and Frequency
of Drinking
(Time Span of
Drink Alcohol)
(Capacity Per Drink 200ml/Cup) (Times Feeling Blue or Unhappy Monthly)
1010
22
1
2-3
over 3
Weeks
Weeks
1-2 Cups2-3 Cups3-5 CupsOver 5
AisaEuropeAfrica
(Figure. 4, Mental Status among Alcohol Drinkers from Different Regions
based on Quantity and Frequency of Drinking, from: The research
questionnaire in Appendix 2)
4.2.4 Attitudes and Performances when Issues Occurred
As the result of research, the alcohol lead to diet issues as well as further
trigger mental health problems which bring the NTIC students many troubles.
In this step, the research will present what attitudes and performances could
be arisen by the NTIC students.
The main findings of this section are in the following content.
The results of whether students would like to face mental health problems on
them and whether they would like to see psychological doctor regularly to
monitor their mental status are very magical (See Figure 5).
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
Figure. 5:
Performance After Mental Health Problems
Occurred
(Like to Face
Problems)
(See Psychological Doctor Regularly)
8
55
7
3
2
YESNOYESNO
AsiaEuropeAfrica
(Figure. 5, Performance after Mental Health Problems Occurred, from: The
research questionnaire in Appendix 2)
The figure 5 above indicates that the proportion between 2 groups (Yes and
No) is balanced in each question. The minute difference is that quantity of
students who want to face the mental health problems are more than who
want to see the doctor.
This trend still continue to the next question (See Figure 6).
Figure. 6:
Attitude After Mental Health Problems
Occured
8
6
5
3
Talk with friendsSee DoctorStay AloneDo Sports
AsiaEuropeAfrica
(Figure. 6, Performance after Mental Health Problems Occurred, from: The
research questionnaire in Appendix 2)
PM504 Chen Ling T0010447
Students prefer to talk with friends and less of them choose to stay alone, do
physical exercises and to see doctor. Talking with friend admittedly is a
convenient way to ease mental health problems, but it could not be a way to
resolve.
As the argument of Gravel, Ronald, and Béland in 2005, he pointed that
people can face mental problems on them could help them to cure mental
illness, however, the help of doctor would be more professional.
Thus, how to decline the effects of mental health issues, this problem could
not be resolved well by students self, but they could obtain help and
professional guide from doctor.
4.2.5 Problems the research found and suggestion
Additionally, 30% of respondents believe that there are lots of ways to deal
with the mental health issues. One of male respondent demonstrated his
opinions that do sports, talking with friends or go to the social place would be
one of the best way to resolve mental health issues. Others opinions almost
like his thinking above. So, no one choose to accept the way which could get
more professional help. To release stress, the methods above could be useful,
however, if really students face mental health illness, to see the doctor will
always be the first recommendation.