Abstract

Purpose: College students with chronic illnesses are vulnerable to poor adjustment, but it remains unclear how these students differ from healthy peers. This study compares psychosocial adjustment and risky behavior between students with and without chronic illnesses. Participants: Participants (N = 629, 78% Caucasian, 77% Female) were recruited from universities. Methods: Participants completed measures of illness history, anxiety, depression, stressful life events, social support, and risky behavior. Results: College students with chronic illnesses demonstrated significantly greater symptoms of anxiety F(1,620) = 8.742, p < .003, depression F(1,614) = 26.947, p < .001, more stressful life events F(1,476) = 23.671, p < .001, and lower social support F(1,613) = 15.645, p < .001. No differences in risky behaviors between groups emerged F(1,601) = 3.432, p = .064. An indirect effect of health status on risk-taking behavior was observed [b = .677, 95% CI (.351, 1.072)] partially mediated by depression. Conclusion: College students with chronic illnesses demonstrated worse psychosocial outcomes than healthy students, warranting programs to support these students. Depressive symptoms partially mediated risky behavior.

摘要

目的：患有慢性病的大学生很容易适应不良，但目前尚不清楚这些学生与健康同龄人有何不同。这项研究比较了患有和未患有慢性疾病的学生之间的心理社会调整和危险行为。参与者：参与者（N  = 629，78% 白人，77% 女性）是从大学招募的。方法：参与者完成了病史、焦虑、抑郁、压力生活事件、社会支持和危险行为的测量。结果：患有慢性疾病的大学生表现出明显更大的焦虑症状 F(1,620) = 8.742, p < .003，抑郁症状 F(1,614) = 26.947, p< .001，更多的压力生活事件 F(1,476) = 23.671，p < .001，以及更低的社会支持 F(1,613) = 15.645，p < .001。各组之间的危险行为没有差异 F(1,601) = 3.432, p = .064。观察到健康状况对冒险行为的间接影响 [b = .677, 95% CI (.351, 1.072)] 部分由抑郁介导。结论：患有慢性病的大学生表现出比健康学生更差的心理社会结果，需要制定支持这些学生的计划。抑郁症状部分介导了危险行为。