Development and rasch validation of the student mental health scale among Indonesian university students
Mental health among university students is a critical issue that affects academic performance, quality of life, and overall well-being. This study aims to develop and validate the Student Mental Health Scale (SMHS), a culturally contextualized instrument designed to assess mental health status among Indonesian university students. Utilizing a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from students across nine faculties at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. The Rasch Model was employed for data analysis, providing precise and objective insights into mental health distribution. Results indicated that 19.8% of students demonstrated healthy mental status, 59.5% experienced moderate mental health concerns, and 20.6% exhibited poor mental health. These findings suggest that approximately 80% of university students require mental health support, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive campus-based interventions. Key stressors include academic pressures, social dynamics, and financial burdens, with female students showing greater vulnerability. Effective interventions, such as peer support programs and resilience training, are therefore essential. This study underscores the importance of distinguishing between universal mental health instruments and culturally adapted tools, with the SMHS filling a critical gap by providing contextually appropriate assessments that international scales cannot adequately capture in Indonesian university settings. The findings hold significant implications for mental health interventions and institutional strategies in higher education.
Downloads
Abulfaraj, G. G., Upsher, R., Zavos, H. M. S., & Dommett, E. J. (2024). The impact of resilience interventions on university students’ mental health and well-being: A systematic review. Education Sciences, 14(5), 510. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14050510
Alsulami, S. L., Hassan, M. H., Alamodi, M. E., & Alamodi, S. A. (2018). Perceived stress and academic performance among undergraduate medical students. Saudi Journal for Health Sciences, 7(2), 92–97. https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_6_18
Bond, T. G., & Fox, C. M. (2015). Applying the Rasch model: Fundamental measurement in the human sciences (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Brougham, R. R., Zail, C. M., Mendoza, C. M., & Miller, J. R. (2009). Stress, sex differences, and coping strategies among college students. Current Psychology, 28, 85–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-009-9047-0
Bruffaerts, R., Mortier, P., Kiekens, G., Auerbach, R. P., Cuijpers, P., Demyttenaere, K., Green, J. G., Nock, M. K., & Kessler, R. C. (2018). Mental health problems in college freshmen: Prevalence and academic functioning. Journal of Affective Disorders, 225, 97–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.07.044
Darmawati, R., Maisharah, S. K., & Mujahid, M. U. F. (2023). Mental health issues in higher education: Increasing awareness, access to therapy, and campus support. West Science Interdisciplinary Studies, 1(09), 795–802.
Faradiba, A. T., Fitriani, N., & Yulia, R. (2023). Self-harm and gender difference in mental health of Indonesian college students. Jurnal Psikologi Klinis dan Kesehatan Mental, 12(1), 31–42.
Gross, J. J. (2014). Handbook of emotion regulation (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Hartrey, L., Denieffe, S., & Wells, J. S. G. (2017). A systematic review of barriers and supports to the participation of students with mental health difficulties in higher education. Mental Health & Prevention, 6, 26–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2017.03.002
Hite, W. L. (2019). Accessing mental health services for students in public schools (Doctoral dissertation, Indiana State University). ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Ibrahim, A. K., Kelly, S. J., Adams, C. E., & Glazebrook, C. (2013). A systematic review of studies of depression prevalence in university students. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47(3), 391–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.11.015
Immanuel, R. M., Nugraha, M., & Alfitri, M. (2021). The role of coping strategies in preventing academic stress among college students. Indonesian Journal of Guidance and Counseling, 10(1), 15–23.
Johnson, R. E., Liu, C., & Patel, V. (2024). Understanding student vulnerability: A resilience-based model of psychological well-being among college populations. Journal of American College Health, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2335167
Kaligis, F., Ismail, R. I., Wiguna, T., Prasetyo, S., Indriatmi, W., Gunardi, H., ... & Magdalena, C. C. (2021). Mental health problems and needs among transitional-age youth in Indonesia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 4046. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084046
Keyes, C. L. M. (2005). Mental illness and/or mental health? Investigating axioms of the complete state model of health. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(3), 539–548. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.73.3.539
Kloping, N. A., Citraningtyas, T., Lili, R., Farrell, S. M., & Molodynski, A. (2022). Mental health and wellbeing of Indonesian medical students: A regional comparison study. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 68(6), 1295–1299. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640221079753
Kutsyuruba, B., Klinger, D. A., & Hussain, A. (2015). Relationships among school climate, school safety, and student achievement and well-being: A review of the literature. Review of Education, 3(2), 103–135. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3043
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer.
Lee, H. J., & Kim, E. Y. (2023). The role of campus engagement in enhancing protective factors of mental health: A comparative study. Higher Education Research & Development, 42(1), 115–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2022.2083205
Morgan, A. J., Ross, A., & Reavley, N. J. (2018). Systematic review and meta-analysis of Mental Health First Aid training: Effects on knowledge, stigma, and helping behaviour. PLOS ONE, 13(5), e0197102. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197102
OECD. (2023). Mental Health and Well-being in Higher Education: Policy Directions for the Future. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264538923-en
Pieper, J., & Uden, M. (2006). Religion in coping and mental health care. New York: Yord University Press.
Putra, A. H., & Mudjiran, M. (2023). Mental health disorders in university students as a challenge in higher education era Society 5.0. International Journal of Applied Counseling and Social Sciences, 4(2), 73–80.
Putri, A. K., Saputra, A. R., & Yahya, A. N. F. (2023). Building a multi-layered support system for students in psychological distress: Insights from Indonesian faculty members. Jurnal Psikologi, 50(3), 245–256.
Putri, W., Wibbawa, B., & Gutama, S. (2015). Kesehatan mental masyarakat Indonesia (pengetahuan dan keterbukaan masyarakat terhadap gangguan kesehatan mental). Prosiding KS: Riset & PKM, 147–300.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press.
Shankland, R., & Rosset, E. (2017). What do we know about the benefits of mindfulness for university students? Journal of American College Health, 65(7), 529–542. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2017.1323609
Son, C., Hegde, S., Smith, A., Wang, X., & Sasangohar, F. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 on college students’ mental health in the United States: Interview survey study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(9), e21279. https://doi.org/10.2196/21279
Swickert, R. J., Hittner, J. B., & Foster, A. (2019). Big Five traits as predictors of post-traumatic growth: Social support as a mediating variable. Personality and Individual Differences, 140, 372–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.03.045
Tennant, R., Hiller, L., Fishwick, R., Platt, S., Joseph, S., Weich, S., ... & Stewart-Brown, S. (2007). The Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): Development and UK validation. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 5(1), 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-5-63
Tran, D. V., Nguyen, H. T., & Le, T. T. (2023). Culturally adapted mental health interventions for university students in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 17(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-023-00612-1
Watson, N. T., Watson, K. L., & Stanley, C. A. (2017). Conflict management and dialogue in higher education: A global perspective. IAP Publishing.
Worsley, J. D., Pennington, A., & Corcoran, R. (2022). Supporting mental health and wellbeing of university and college students: A systematic review of review-level evidence of interventions. PLOS ONE, 17(7), e0271073. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271073
Yusuf, S. (2018). Kesehatan mental: Perspektif psikologis dan agama. Bandung: PT Remaja Rosdakarya.
Copyright (c) 2025 ProGCouns: Journal of Professionals in Guidance and Counseling
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
 | ProGCouns: Professional Guidance and Counseling Journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. |
