Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health disorder worldwide and a major concern among undergraduate students, affecting both well-being and academic performance. Despite its global relevance, mental health in Dominican university students remains understudied. This study examined the prevalence of different types of anxiety—state, trait, generalized, and social—and their association with well-being in a probabilistic sample of 376 students (mean age = 20.15, 56.92 % women) at a private university in the Dominican Republic. Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Results showed that 42.29 % had high state anxiety, 52.93 % high trait anxiety, 38.56 % moderate to severe generalized anxiety symptoms, and 21.81 % moderate to high social anxiety. In addition, 20.48 % reported very low well-being. Lower anxiety was significantly associated with better well-being. Cluster analysis revealed distinct student profiles: 41.8 % had mild anxiety and moderate well-being; 23.4 % had low anxiety and high well-being; 13.6 % had high anxiety and low well-being. More extreme profiles (e.g., severe anxiety with very low well-being) were rare (0.5 % each). Anxiety was more prevalent among women, while men reported higher well-being. These findings highlight the need to monitor mental health in Dominican universities and implement evidence-based strategies to support student well-being. The elevated anxiety levels observed may reflect the lingering psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Severe mental illnesses (SMI) are associated with physical health comorbidities. High intensity interval training (HIIT) may improve cardiometabolic risk and mental wellbeing for people with SMI. This study explores the acceptability and feasibility of implementing HIIT amongst inpatients with SMI. The feasibility study followed a two-part design: a) A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of bicycle-based HIIT versus treatment-as-usual (TAU). TAU comprised provision of details of the relevant hospital gym availability. This RCT was terminated early due to Covid-19 restrictions. b) A naturalistic study of inpatient HIIT. Acceptability and feasibility of the HIIT intervention across both study phases was reported. 32 people were recruited, 19 RCT and 13 naturalistic study participants. The early termination resulted in a maximum of 4 weeks of HIIT per RCT participant. Mean satisfaction with HIIT was 8.52/10. The full length of the HIIT session was completed in 77.3% and 71.9% of instances during the RCT and naturalistic phases respectively. Attendance at HIIT sessions averaged 62.9% in the RCT. HIIT was met with high satisfaction. Attendance to HIIT is comparable to attendance of other exercise regimes. This research supports the development of a large-scale trial of HIIT for inpatients with SMI to determine its health benefits. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, registration no: NCT03959735.

Psychosis is associated with physical health comorbidities. Exercise and a healthy diet can improve cardiometabolic risk and mental wellbeing. This study explores the feasibility, acceptability, and experiences of a physical health group for clients experiencing psychosis. The group was developed and refined following consultation with service-users and culturally appropriate peer support workers. It included eight weekly sessions. The aims of the group were to provide psychoeducation on healthy living and to build motivation to engage in healthy living. Attendance, completion, and satisfaction were recorded to determine feasibility and acceptability of local service delivery. Clients took part in follow-up qualitative interviews to understand experiences of attending the group. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Twenty-five clients were referred to the group. Overall, 10 clients enrolled in the group. Clients who enrolled in the group attended a median of 4.5 sessions. The mean satisfaction score for all sessions combined was 9.15/10 [SD 1.18]. Seven individual interviews were conducted. Two themes emerged. 1) Positive views towards the group, with clients feeling more aware of the benefits of healthy living, and clients finding the group setting motivating. 2) Considerations when planning healthy living support, which reflected subthemes in difficulties maintaining healthy living and concerns that the group should not be about weight loss. Investigations were limited to one mental health provider. It was feasible and acceptable to implement a healthy living group for clients with psychosis in a community mental health team, and this intervention was met with positivity.