Presenting Mental Health Issues And Psychosocial Stressors Of College Students By Race/Ethnicity And Gender

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Date

2018

Department

Higher Education Program

Program

Doctor of Education

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This item is made available by Morgan State University for personal, educational, and research purposes in accordance with Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Other uses may require permission from the copyright owner.

Abstract

The purpose of this causal comparative research study was to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity and gender on the presenting mental health issues and the type of psychosocial stressors among African American, Hispanic, and Asian college counseling center clients. This research approach first explored the relationship between race/ethnicity and presenting mental health issues and type of psychosocial stressors for minority college counseling center clients. The study also explored the relationship between gender and presenting mental health issues and type of psychosocial stressors for female and male college counseling center clients. Hence, the causal comparative research design than explored the interaction effect of race/ethnicity and gender on presenting mental health issues and type of psychosocial stressors for minority college counseling center clients. Undergirded by Pearlin’s theory of psychological distress, the study measured two independent variables (race/ethnicity and gender) and two dependent variables (presenting mental health issues and type of psychosocial stressors). Presenting mental health issues were measured by seven subscales (depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, academic distress, eating concerns, hostility, and alcohol use). The type of psychosocial stressors consisted of three stressor categories, (a) socioeconomic background, (b) support systems, and (c) trauma. The presenting mental health issues and type of psychosocial stressors measures were obtained from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH). The sample consisted of African American, Hispanic, and Asian students who sought counseling services at colleges and universities throughout the United States at a CCMH affiliate institution. These students completed the CCMH Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS) and the Standardized Data Set (SDS) instruments. A significant relationship was found between race/ethnicity and the seven presenting mental health issues subscales, and race/ethnicity and type of psychosocial stressors for minority college counseling center clients. The same applied for gender. A significant interaction effect of race/ethnicity and gender on the presenting mental health issues and type of psychosocial stressors were found for minority college counseling center clients. Recommendations of future research were provided for college counseling center clinicians and student affairs professionals.