Citation

Parker J, Yacoub A, Mughal S, Mamari F. J. Am. Coll. Health 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2021.1895805

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess how perceptions of family support (instrumental and relational-emotional) are related to psychological distress among commuter students and whether household income, gender, year in college and first-generation status moderate this association. Participants: Undergraduate students at a suburban commuter college in the Northeast during October/November 2019.

METHODS: Students completed an online survey comprised of measures of psychological distress, family support and sociodemographic information. Data were analyzed using independent t tests, bivariate correlations, and regressions.

RESULTS: On average, participants exhibited "high distress," mean = 23.29 (SD = 8.93). Distress scores differed by income background and gender. Lower income students and females exhibited significantly higher levels of distress. Increased relational-emotional support was associated with decreased distress for lower income and female students. Instrumental support was not associated distress.

CONCLUSION: A family component to mental health counseling could be beneficial for commuter students.

Language: en

Keywords

gender; mental health; socioeconomic status; family support; Commuter student