Psychosocial functioning and adjustment to university settings: comparing students with chronic illnesses to healthy peers

Abstract

Purpose: College students with chronic illnesses are vulnerable to poor adjustment, but it remains unclear how these students differ from healthy peers. This study compares psychosocial adjustment and risky behavior between students with and without chronic illnesses. Participants: Participants (N = 629, 78% Caucasian, 77% Female) were recruited from universities. Methods: Participants completed measures of illness history, anxiety, depression, stressful life events, social support, and risky behavior. Results: College students with chronic illnesses demonstrated significantly greater symptoms of anxiety F(1,620) = 8.742, p < .003, depression F(1,614) = 26.947, p < .001, more stressful life events F(1,476) = 23.671, p < .001, and lower social support F(1,613) = 15.645, p < .001. No differences in risky behaviors between groups emerged F(1,601) = 3.432, p = .064. An indirect effect of health status on risk-taking behavior was observed [b = .677, 95% CI (.351, 1.072)] partially mediated by depression. Conclusion: College students with chronic illnesses demonstrated worse psychosocial outcomes than healthy students, warranting programs to support these students. Depressive symptoms partially mediated risky behavior.

Keywords:

• Chronic illness
• life stressors
• risky behaviors

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of [country name] and received approval from the [Institutional Review Board of university name].

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.