ABSTRACT

The number of first-generation students on college campuses is rising, comprising 20% of new incoming students in higher education. First-generation college students (FGCS) do not access mental health treatment at the same rate as their non-first generation college student (NFGCS) peers and are at higher risk for leaving college early. The current study examines FGCS’ presenting concerns for college counseling centers, their use of treatment, and degree of change relative to NFGCS through treatment. A sample of 7,160 students seeking individual counseling were selected from the 2012–2013 Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), a practitioner-research dataset, representing over 52 participating counseling centers. FGCS reported higher anxiety, academic concerns, and hostility but lower alcohol use concerns at first session, a similar number of therapy sessions, and greater change in hostility and eating concerns over a longer duration in treatment than NFGCS. Implications and future directions for this research are also discussed.

摘要

大学校园的第一代学生人数正在增加，占高等教育新生的 20%。第一代大学生 (FGCS) 无法以与非第一代大学生 (NFGCS) 同龄人相同的速度获得心理健康治疗，并且提前离开大学的风险更高。目前的研究检查了 FGCS 对大学咨询中心的关注、他们对治疗的使用以及通过治疗相对于 NFGCS 的变化程度。从代表超过 52 个参与咨询中心的从业者研究数据集 2012-2013 年大学心理健康中心 (CCMH) 中选择了 7,160 名寻求个人咨询的学生样本。FGCS 在第一次会议上报告了更高的焦虑、学术担忧和敌意，但酒精使用的担忧较低，与 NFGCS 相比，治疗次数相似，敌意和饮食问题的变化更大。还讨论了这项研究的意义和未来方向。