Article Title
Self-perceived Well-being Among Doctor of Physical Therapy Students in the United States
Funder
The author(s) received no specific funding for this work
Conflict of Interest
The author(s) have no conflict of interest to declare for this work.
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe self-perceived well-being among Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore factors associated with well-being.
Methods: This observational study was cross-sectional, using an anonymous, self-administered, nationwide survey. The survey included questions about an array of factors theoretically related to well-being, and incorporated the WHO-5 Well-being Index, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and the Brief Resiliency Scale.
Results: A total of 1,542 responded to the survey. Data from 1,537 DPT students in the U.S. were included in the analysis. Well-being was positively correlated with resilience (r = 0.457; p < 0.001), male gender (p < 0.001), heterosexuality (p = 0.022), being married (p = 0.004) or living with a partner or spouse (p = 0.036), and being physical active (p < 0.001). Well-being was negatively correlated with higher perceived stress (r = -0.686; p < 0.001), the number of friends or family who died for non-COVID reasons during the prior year (p = 0.005), food insecurity (p < 0.001), having chronic pain (p < 0.001), more days absent from school (p = 0.021), and being a first-generation college student (p = 0.007). Surprisingly, COVID-19 infection status and having at least one close friend or relative die of COVID-19 were not correlated with self-perceived wellness. Regression modeling using individual factors found that being male (p < 0.001), married (p = 0.046), and physically active (p < 0.001) were positive predictors of well-being, while having food insecurity (p < 0.001) and chronic pain (p < 0.001) were negative predictors.
Conclusion: Among DPT students in the U.S., self-perceived well-being is negatively correlated with higher perceived stress; while concurrently being positively correlated with resilience. Well-being is partially predicted by modifiable factors including physical activity, chronic pain and food insecurity. Our findings deepen the understanding of DPT students’ well-being and can help inform the services and resources provided by colleges and universities to better address modifiable factors that are predictive of well-being among DPT students.
DOI
10.55504/2578-9333.1177
Recommended Citation
Kietrys, David; Anderson, Ellen; and Ray, Suchismita
(2023)
"Self-perceived Well-being Among Doctor of Physical Therapy Students in the United States,"
Journal of Wellness: Vol. 5
:
Iss.
1
, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55504/2578-9333.1177
Available at:
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/jwellness/vol5/iss1/2