Age, Financial Dependence, and Social Support as they relate to College Mental Health

Andrew B. McGrath

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

An ever growing area of focus in psychology is the mental health of college students. In a time full of transitions and struggles some rise to the occasion and preform without problem, but some have trouble coping. Suicide is a problem in society that has the largest impact on those that are 18-24 who report the greatest amount of suicidal ideation of any other age group. It is well known that greater social support is related to greater mental health, but no study has examined social support along with age and financial dependence on family. This study examines the interaction of age, financial dependence, and social support as they relate to loneliness, depression, trait anxiety, and state anxiety. Participants were college students from Midwestern community colleges and four year Universities, 44.6% male, 94.3% Caucasian, mean age 28.5 (ranging from 18-62). Of the four dependent variables there was one significant interaction such that age, financial dependence, and social support form a significant interaction as they relate to loneliness. Social support was significantly related to loneliness, depression, trait anxiety, and state anxiety such that higher social support is associated with better mental health. Age was significantly related to loneliness, trait anxiety, and state anxiety. Older participants reported greater loneliness than younger participants; however, younger participants reported significantly greater trait and state anxiety than older participants. PDF

Abstract Introduction Methods Loneliness Results Depression Results Trait Anxiety Results State Anxiety Results Discussion References Tables