Unpacking the Mississippi blues: Relationship between internalizing problems and health behaviors

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between internalizing behaviors (measured as anxious/depressed, withdrawn, and somatic problems) and lifestyle-related, modifiable factors as substance use, sleep, and healthy behaviors in a sample of 191 college students in training for social work and other helping professions. The results indicate that participants with lower scores on internalizing behaviors had fewer sleep disturbances, higher scores on healthy behaviors and lower substance use. The implications for social work education, research, and practice are considered, including exploring the relationships between internalizing behaviors and different components of a healthy lifestyle, such as exercise, sleep, and substance use.