Marginalized Identities and Intersectionalities that Contribute to College Students’ Mental Health Challenges and Use of Psychological Services

TL;DR

This study explores how marginalized identities affect college students' mental health and their use of psychological services.

Contribution

The study highlights the intersectional impact of marginalized identities on mental health challenges and service use among college students.

Findings

Being a woman is linked to greater mental health challenges for students with psychological disorders.

First-generation college students are less likely to use on-campus mental health services.

Students with ADHD and first-generation status face heightened psychological challenges.

Abstract

The rates of college students experiencing mental health challenges are increasing. Students with marginalized identities such as women, first generation college students (FGCS), or students with disabilities may be more at risk, and having multiple marginalized identities can impose added challenges. This study examined students’ identities that contribute to college students with psychological disorders’: (1) severity of mental health challenges, and (2) use of on-campus psychological services.

A nationwide survey was used to draw a sample of college students with psychological disorders (N = 5,120).

For students with psychological disorders, being a woman was associated with heightened mental health challenges, even when other identities were accounted for (i.e., FGCS status, disability status, dual identities). Having ADHD was also associated with heightened mental health challenges when dual identities were not accounted for. Additionally, when students with ADHD’s dual identity as a FGCS was accounted for, students with psychological disorders and ADHD who are also FGCS were found to experience heightened psychological challenges. Moreover, FGCS were less likely to utilize mental health services on campus, even when other identities were accounted for.

Findings highlight the role marginalized identities play for college students with psychological disorders and the importance of considering students’ intersectionality when it comes to mental health and seeking professional support.

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