Mental Health Issues and Their Relation to Identity Distress in College Students
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
1-2015
Abstract
This study examined the relation between identity distress and mental health issues in college students. An online survey was utilized to assess whether college students had been diagnosed with or treated for anxiety, depression, substance use, and other mental health issues in the past 12 months. Additionally, identity distress related to long-term goals, friendships, career choice, sexual orientation and behavior, religion, values or beliefs, and group loyalties was assessed. Average identity distress scores were significantly higher for students who had been diagnosed with or treated for a mental health issue. Results also indicated that having been diagnosed with or treated for a mental health issue significantly predicted severe distress related to long-term goals and friendships. Implications of these findings are discussed.
DOI
10.1080/15283488.2014.989443
Recommended Citation
Samuolis, J., Barcellos, M., LaFlam, J., Belson, D., & Berard, J. (2015). Mental health issues and their relation to identity distress In college students. Identity, 15(1), 66-73. doi: 10.1080/15283488.2014.989443
