The Characteristics of Canadian University Students’ Mental Health, Engagement in Activities and Use of Smartphones: A descriptive pilot study

BACKGROUND: Mental health issues are on the rise which may impede university students’ abilities to perform daily functions and interact with other community members. The objectives of the current study are to explore (1) the characteristics of university students’ mental health and engagement in activities, (2) how students use their smartphones to support their mental health and engagement in activities, (3) student preferences for important features and functions of a smartphone application (app) that promote engagement in activities and (4) student perspectives about what data an app should collect as indicators of change in their mental health and engagement in activities. METHODS: We designed a pilot study and an online questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions to collect data exploring the association between student mental health and engagement in activities. The questionnaire included four sections: demographics, mental health and activity status and management, general smartphone use, and smartphone use to support mental health and engagement in activities. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 56 participants were recruited to complete the online survey, with an average completion rate of 77% (n = 43). The majority of participants were 24 years of age or older (n = 34, 65.4%), and less than half were between the ages of 18 and 23 (n = 18, 34.6%). The results of participants’ engagement in self-care, productivity and leisure/play activities are reported. As well, participants’ use of smartphones to support their mental health is described. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a greater understanding of what features and functions to include and what data to collect when developing a novel app to support students’ mental health and engagement in activities. Moreover, it clarifies the bidirectional relationship between mental health changes and self-care engagement, productivity/work and leisure/play domains.