Measuring Psychological Distress and Flourishing Among University Students: Initial Findings From One Health-Promoting University

This study examined baseline scores and health disparities on psychological distress, flourishing, and six flourishing domains among a diverse sample of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students as part of a comprehensive evaluation model for a health-promoting campus. The study offers a real-world approach to measuring student well-being with a focus on health equity. Participants (N = 1,019) completed an online survey including the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), Flourishing Measure-12 (FM), and demographic variables. In the sample, 30%, 39%, and 26% of students screened positive for psychological distress, anxiety, and depression, respectively. Notably, 58% were classified as "flourishing" or "ready to start flourishing," highlighting the prevalence of flourishing among students in the face of distress. Results revealed significant group differences in distress and flourishing by gender identity, race, sexual orientation, and disability status. Students' scores on distress and flourishing significantly improved after finals, supporting the impact of semester timing on well-being. Findings support the utility of distress and flourishing as key well-being indicators and the need for systems-level, equity-focused approaches to address health disparities in campus settings.