College Adjustment Research Articles

The association of diet quality with the mental health of students during their transition to university.

University students are at risk of experiencing mental health and diet quality problems during their transition to university. This study aimed to examine the bidirectional associations between the diet quality and mental health of students during their transition to universities in the UK, and the impact of the transition on diet quality and mental health. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and took place during the first semester of year 2021-2022. Participants were first year undergraduate students at four UK universities, living at student halls. They were invited to participate by completing online surveys, including a diet quality instrument (Short Form Food Frequency Questionnaire), a mental health instrument (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) and a quality of transition instrument (College Adjustment Questionnaire). Results showed that a healthy diet was associated with good mental health (b = -3.46, 95% CI [-6.14, -.78]). Unfavourable mental health was associated with having an unhealthy diet (b = -.01, 95% CI [-.02, -.00]). Transition did not moderate the relationship between diet quality and mental health of students, or vice versa (ps> .05). Preliminary analyses showed a significant direct effect of good quality of transition to university on good mental health (b = -1.51, 95% CI [-1.88, -1.13]), but did not have an indirect effect via diet quality; there were no significant direct or indirect effects on diet quality, however larger studies are needed to replicate these preliminary analyses. Our current findings can inform university policies and health education research, and further research is needed to determine whether interventions to improve diet quality at the university level could reduce mental health issues, and whether interventions to support students under stress may lead to healthier dietary habits. Cross-sectional studies cannot determine the directionality of effects, hence longitudinal studies are required to enhance our understanding of the relationships between diet quality and mental health over time.

The effect of homesickness on the psychological wellbeing of medical and non-medical students

IntroductionHomesickness commonly affects students moving to college for the first time, causing physical, psychological, and emotional disturbances. Medical students are particularly vulnerable to distressing feelings due to the already high prevalence of mental illness and burnout within this population. Aims & ObjectivesThis review aims to critically evaluate the current literature on homesickness and wellbeing of postsecondary students, assessing the impact of psychological distress and investigating the relationships between mental illness, medical student burnout, and their implications in medical school. MethodsSearches of PubMed, PsychINFO, and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection databases were conducted to analyse literature on homesickness, student wellbeing, and burnout. These were screened according to pre-defined criteria and articles were assessed for appropriateness. Results12 articles successfully met the eligibility criteria. Homesickness was found to affect the majority of freshman students, associated with both a significant decrease in college adjustment and an increase in depression. Within the postsecondary population, psychological distress varied, with medical students having poorer mental health than their peers. The risk for burnout was found to be predictive of mental illness and was associated with unprofessional behaviour. DiscussionDuring the transition to college, students are under an enormous amountof pressure – academically and psychologically. Evidence suggests that homesickness is common, with associations found between homesicknessand depression. A high prevalence of psychological distress among the post- secondary population and a positive correlation between mental illness and burnout was also found. As such, medical student homesickness and burnout should be investigated to decrease potentially devastating consequences.

Parenting Styles, Attachment and Emotional Support as Determinants of Adjustment to College Life among Fresh Undergraduates

Abstract: The study examined the relationship of parenting styles, attachment and emotional support with adjustment to college life among fresh undergraduates. The study employed a correlational design as a guide. Three hundred fresh undergraduates of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria -123 males; 177 females, who were selected through Stratified random sampling approach participated in the study. The Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ; α= .93); Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ; α= .92); Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ; α= .88); and Perceived Emotional Support Scale (PES; α= .89) were the instrument used for data collection. The data generated were statistically analysed with the aid of Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression Model. The statistical results showed that the three predictor variables jointly accounted for a total of 60% of the overall variance in adjustment to college life. Based on the contribution of each of the predictor variables, Authoritarianism and Permissiveness parenting styles, negatively and significantly predicted adjustment to college life. However, attachment styles, Authoritative parenting style and emotional support significantly and directly predicted adjustment to college life. Seeing the investigated variables had significant effect on college adjustment, it was recommended that university authorities and policy makers should design a program that will lessen the impact of negative parenting and improve secure attachment styles and emotional support among fresh undergraduates.

College Adjustment and Information Experience of First‐Generation College Students' Coursework and Extracurricular Learning

ABSTRACTThe current study aims to explore college adjustment and information experiences of first‐generation college students in coursework and extracurricular learning contexts. Information World Mapping visual‐elicitation interviews were conducted with 25 first‐generation college students from two elite universities in one university system. We found that while first‐generation college students tend to feel fallen behind, and be somewhat remote from professors and peers, they make use of all resorts to thrive in both coursework and extracurricular learning experiences. Most of their personal‐meaningful coursework experiences are academic group work; their extracurricular learning experiences are career‐oriented. Implications were discussed based on the findings.

Exploring Emotional Intelligence and College Adjustment in Final-Year College Students

This study aims to analyze the relationship between the dimensions of college adjustment and domains of emotional intelligence among final-year students (7th semester) with the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) curriculum. This research used a correlational method with a non-experimental quantitative approach. The study respondents were final-year students of the Faculty of Psychology, Padjadjaran University, who participated in MBKM activities outside the university during the sixth semester and resumed regular classes during the seventh semester. Among 72 eligible students, 67 participated in the study. The instruments used to measure college adjustment and emotional intelligence were the translated version of Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) and an instrument based on Goleman's emotional intelligence theory, respectively. Correlation tests were conducted using the Pearson Product Moment. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between college adjustment and emotional intelligence (r = 0.410, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the analysis proved correlations among certain dimensions of college adjustment and domains of emotional intelligence. The implications highlight the role of MBKM activities in enhancing students' skills to support their adaptation and emotional intelligence.

The Implications of Meaning in Life on College Adjustment Among Chinese University Freshmen: The Indirect Effects via Academic Motivation

The Implications of Meaning in Life on College Adjustment Among Chinese University Freshmen: The Indirect Effects via Academic Motivation

First‐year students' psychological resilience and college adjustment: A person‐oriented approach

AbstractPrevious research has concentrated on psychological resilience as a holistic structure and has found that resilience positively affects college adjustment. However, it is suggested by existing literature that college students' resilience is a multidimensional construct. Furthermore, there is limited understanding regarding the categorizations of resilience among first‐year college students and its influence on their college adjustment. This study aimed to identify the profiles of first‐year college students' resilience, including individual powers and supportive powers, and explore the effects of varying resilience profiles on first‐year students' college adjustment. A valid sample of 771 first‐year college students from 28 Chinese colleges participated in this survey. The online surveys were conducted through Wenjuanxing platform. Data were analyzed using latent profile analysis to identify first‐year college students' different resilience profile and examine the relationships with college adjustment. Four groups featuring unique resilient characteristics were discovered: well‐resilient students, students with low individual power but high supportive power, students with high individual power but low supportive power, and mal‐resilient students with low individual power and low supportive power. Well‐resilient first‐year students reported the best condition of college adjustment compared to the other groups, which supports the conservation of resources (COR) theory. These results provide insight into first‐year college students' particular and heterogeneous circumstances at the beginning of the college experience. They also refined the COR theory by identifying individual‐specific relationships between psychological resilience and college adjustment.

COVID-19 vaccine related anxiety partially mediates the association between COVID-19 related anxiety and student adjustment to college during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe disruptions in living and learning to millions of college students. Here we investigated using mediation analysis two dimensions of anxiety that were specific to the pandemic – COVID-19 related anxiety and COVID-19 vaccine anxiety – to evaluate their relationship to college adjustment during the pandemic. Using cross-sectional survey data across three semester waves (Spring 2021, Fall 2021, and Spring 2022) we probed whether anxiety functioned as a challenge or hindrance stressor on adjustment. We found that although anxiety decreased in both COVID-19 dimensions across semesters, student adjustment to college remained consistently low. Our mediation analysis revealed that both COVID-19 related anxiety and COVID-19 vaccine-related anxiety functioned as challenge stressors, elevating academic, social, personal-emotional, and institutional adjustment during the pandemic. We discuss the role of positive COVID impacts on college adjustment, including enhanced social support.

Differences in fear of failure and college adjustment by type of medical school entrance extrinsic motivation using a latent profile analysis.

The decision to enroll in medical school is largely influenced by extrinsic motivation factors. It is necessary to explore the factors that affect pre-med students' motivation to enter medical school and their college adjustment, and to develop measures to help them adjust. A total of 407 pre-med students were surveyed regarding their motivation to enter medical school, fear of failure, and college adjustment. We analyzed the latent profiles of extrinsic motivation factors using latent profile analysis. One-way analysis of variance was conducted to examine the differences in fear of failure and adaptation to university life according to the latent groups. After analyzing the latent profiles of entrance motivation, three latent profiles were selected. They were divided into high, medium, and low extrinsic motivation groups. Three profiles scored the highest on job security, followed by good grades and social status. Sophomores were more likely to be high extrinsic motivators than freshmen were. Fear of failure was high in the group with high extrinsic motivation, and adaptation to college life was highest in the group with low extrinsic motivation. Job security was the most important extrinsic motivator for entering medical school, and extrinsic entrance motivation influenced fear of failure and college adjustment. Given the high level of extrinsic motivation among medical students, it is meaningful to analyze the extrinsic motivation profile of entering medical students and how it affects failure motivation and college adjustment.

학업적 자기효능감과 대학생활적응 간의 관계에서 회복탄력성과 사회적지지의 조절된 매개효과

Objectives This study aimed to analyze the moderated mediating effect of resilience and social support in the re-lationship between academic self-efficacy and college adjustment among university students. Methods The study was conducted with a sample of 200 university students in the metropolitan area of South Korea. The research period was from November 1, 2023, to November 15, 2023. The research subjects were sur-veyed using measurement tools for academic self-efficacy, college adaptation, resilience, and social support. The data was then analyzed for moderated mediation effects using the SPSS MACRO Model 5. Results The research analysis revealed that academic self-efficacy had an impact on resilience. Furthermore, academic self-efficacy, resilience, and social support were found to influence college adjustment. The results also indicated that resilience mediated the relationship between academic self-efficacy and college adjustment, while social support had a moderating effect on the relationship between academic self-efficacy and college adjustment. Conclusions Therefore, it is crucial to foster academic self-efficacy among university students and enhance their resilience capacity and social support to adapt to college life effectively. The findings of this study can serve as foundational data for the development of programs targeting academic self-efficacy and resilience for university students. Additionally, it highlights the need for educational and programmatic interventions to improve social support and create a supportive environment for university students.

College during COVID-19: The pandemic’s effect on college adjustment in first year students with ADHD

Objective: The current study aims to compare college adjustment and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on first-year students with and without ADHD. Participants: Two cohorts (pre-pandemic, during the pandemic) of first-year, undergraduate college students (N = 3,006; Mage =18.32) were recruited from a multisite research consortium across several universities. Methods: First-year participants self-reported on ADHD diagnosis and symptoms, functional impairments, and experiences transitioning to college. Results: First-year college students with and without ADHD reported significantly greater academic, daily living, and overall functional impairments during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. Compared to college students without ADHD, college students with ADHD reported greater functional impairment, more difficulty adjusting to the academic demands of college, and were less likely to feel valued at their institution. Conclusions: First-year college students with and without ADHD experienced greater difficulties navigating the transition to college during the pandemic. Psychosocial and academic supports to help students transition to college are needed.

How is college adjustment relates to smartphone addiction: a comprehensive and pluralist approach

How is college adjustment relates to smartphone addiction: a comprehensive and pluralist approach

Transitioning to college: Testing cognitive bias modification for interpretations as an inoculation tool for social anxiety in college first-years

Background and objectivesReducing social anxiety development among incoming college students may improve college adjustment and mental health outcomes. This study tested whether cognitive bias modification for interpretations (CBM-I) reduces social anxiety and increases adjustment during the transition to college, and whether changes in outcomes would be mediated by changes in interpretation biases. MethodsParticipants (N = 73) were randomly assigned to a 3-session weekly CBM-I condition or symptom tracking (ST) control condition. Multilevel models were used to estimate within-person trajectories from baseline to one week post-intervention and to test whether trajectories differed by condition. ResultsThose in the CBM-I condition (vs. ST) reported higher increases in social adjustment across time. There were not significant differences between conditions for changes in social anxiety, academic adjustment, and personal adjustment. CBM-I was indirectly linked to improvements in outcome variables via more adaptive interpretation biases. LimitationsCBM-I was administered in a laboratory setting, requiring more resources than some computerized interventions. ConclusionsData tentatively support CBM-I for first-year students to increase social adjustment. Further, mediation findings provide support for targeting interpretation biases to improve social anxiety and adjustment outcomes. Yet, CBM-I did not outperform ST in improving social anxiety symptoms or other areas of college adjustment, and effect sizes were small, suggesting that more work is needed to amplify the potential of CBM-I as a therapeutic tool.

Black Students’ Mental Help-Seeking Processes During College Matriculation

The present study examined how Black students’ pre-college beliefs and perceptions of mental health services influenced their help-seeking behaviors, both within and beyond college counseling services. Using semi-structured interview data and consensual qualitative research methods (CQR), we examined the experiences of 48 Black college women and men (ages 18–22) sampled from two universities. We identified the following four themes: (1) pre-college experiences shape mental health knowledge (MHK); (2) college adjustment challenges as a precursor to seeking treatment; (3) negative perceptions of college counseling services; and (4) campus community mental health support. Upon seeking counseling services, many students encountered a lack of diversity in counseling staff and cultural mistrust. Thus, they opted to seek mental health support in campus community spaces curated by Black student organizations and administrators. Overall, our findings suggest Black students engage in various alternative campus community spaces to support their mental health. We conclude by discussing the need for deliberate and specialized mental health support for Black students.

The role of emotional similarity and emotional accuracy in belonging and stress among first-generation and continuing-generation students.

Extensive research has documented the psychological, social, and academic predicament of first-generation college students. However, basic psychological mechanisms underlying the challenges experienced by these students have been understudied. Taking a cultural psychology perspective, the present research considers the role of emotional (mis)match as a key mechanism for explaining first-generation students' lowered well-being. A sample of 344 American undergraduate students completed a survey designed to measure two aspects of emotional processing: (1) Emotional Accuracy - how accurately students perceive emotional reactions of majority-culture students (continuing-generation junior and senior students who have been socialized into college culture), and (2) Emotional Similarity -how similar students' emotions are to the emotions experienced by majority-culture students. Emotional Accuracy predicted positive outcomes, in general, but was lower among first-generation students. Unexpectedly, Emotional Similarity predicted negative student outcomes. As one of the first studies addressing basic psychological mechanisms in college adjustment, these findings underscore the importance of understanding the roles that specific emotional processes play in social adjustment.

The Relationship Between College Students' Proactive Personality and College Adjustment: The Sequential Mediation of Career Resilience and Career Satisfaction

The Relationship Between College Students' Proactive Personality and College Adjustment: The Sequential Mediation of Career Resilience and Career Satisfaction

간호대학생의 미디어 리터러시, 학업성취도가 대학생활 적응에 미치는 영향

This study aimed to identify factors influencing the adaptation of adult learners majoring in nursing to college adjustment and to provide foundational data for enhancing college adjustment. Data were collected from May to June, 2023 and a total of 156 adult learners participated in this study.
 According to the research findings, the media literacy of the participants was at a high level, with a score of 4.10. Among the sub-factors, internet usage scored the highest at 4.49, while participation was the lowest at 3.44. Academic achievement was rated at 3.62, and adaptation to college adjustment was moderately high at 3.75. The media literacy of nursing department adult learners showed a positive correlation with academic achievement (r=.51, p<.001) and adaptation to college adjustment (r=.42, p<.001). Additionally, there was a positive correlation between academic achievement and adaptation to college adjustment (r=.53, p<.001).
 The analysis of factors influencing adaptation to college adjustment among adult learners in the nursing department revealed that among general characteristics, the motivation for university enrollment (β =.15, p =.024), media literacy (β =.16, p <.039), and academic achievement (β =.49, p<.001) had significant influences. The explanatory power of the model was 37%, with academic achievement appeared to be the most influential variable in adaptation to college adjustment.
 Therefore, to enhance adult learners' adaptation to college adjustment, to education to develop media literacy skills must be provided. Adequate career guidance for adult learners should also be provided, and school-wide efforts should be made to elevate academic achievement.

Influence of perceived parental child-rearing attitudes and ego identity on college adjustment among Korean nursing students

BackgroundThis study aimed to examine the relationship between nursing students’ perceived parental child-rearing attitude, ego identity, and college adjustment in Korea and explore factors that influence college adjustment.MethodsThis study surveyed 224 nursing students enrolled in universities located in two regions within South Korea. Data were collected from October 14 to November 31, 2019. Perceived parental child-rearing attitude (paternal emotional warmth, paternal rejection, paternal overprotection, maternal emotional warmth, maternal rejection, and maternal overprotection) and ego identity of nursing students were used as independent variables on college adjustment. Collected data were subjected to correlation analysis using SPSS version 26.0 for Windows. Further, regression analysis was performed on the influence of parental child-rearing attitude and ego identity on college adjustment.ResultsAmong the parental child-rearing attitudes, paternal emotional warmth (r = .30, p < .001), maternal emotional warmth (r = .38, p < .001), and ego identity (r = .71, p < .001) were positively correlated with nursing students’ college adjustment, whereas maternal rejection was negatively correlated with ego identity (r = − .28, p < .001) and college adjustment (r = − .15, p = .025). Regression analysis of the effects of nursing students’ perceived parental child-rearing attitude and ego identity on college adjustment, with grade as a control variable, revealed that ego identity (p < .001) had a significant effect on college adjustment, and the higher the ego identity (β = 0.712), the higher the college adjustment. Further, the explanatory power of explaining college adjustment was high at 49.9%.ConclusionsThe nursing students’ perceived paternal emotional warmth, maternal emotional warmth, and ego identity were positively correlated with college adjustment. Additionally, ego identity was found as the influencing factor in Korean nursing students’ college adjustment. Therefore, programs to strengthen ego identity should be developed and implemented for college adjustment among nursing students.

Cognitive Distortions and College Adjustment of First Year Students in Samar State University

The transition to college is challenging, often linked to adjustment difficulties and mental health risks. This mixed-methods sequential explanatory study examined factors impacting these difficulties among freshmen, focusing on cognitive distortions (illogical thinking patterns). Quantitative results reveal a significant relationship between socio-economic factors, cognitive distortions, and adjustment difficulties. Qualitative interviews then identified five key themes: academic adjustment difficulties, financial stress, career choice difficulties, social adjustment difficulties, and psychological distress. These themes illustrate how socio-economic pressures and negative thought patterns manifest in specific challenges faced by students. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive support programs addressing both financial and psychological well-being, as well as targeted interventions focusing on cognitive restructuring and coping skills development to facilitate a smoother transition to college life.

간호대학생의 성역할 정체감, 비판적 사고성향 및 진로정체감이 대학생활적응에 미치는 영향

This study was conducted to describe the relationship of gender role identity, critical thinking disposition, career identity and college adjustment of nursing students. The participants were 179 nursing students in B city. The data was collected by questionnaires and was analyzed using SPSS 27.0. In general characteristics, the group who answered that they were very satisfied or satisfied with college life satisfaction, major satisfaction, and interpersonal relationships had a significantly higher score for college adjustment than other groups. There was a significant positive correlation among gender role identity, critical thinking disposition, career identity and college adjustment. The predictors influencing nursing students' college adjustment were interpersonal relationships, gender role identity-femininity, critical thinking disposition, and career identity, with 49.0% of the explanatory power (F=25.405, p&lt;.001). Therefore, in promoting nursing students' college adjustment, it is necessary to consider gender role identity and develop and apply various programs that can improve critical thinking disposition, career identity.