ERIC Number: EJ1477116
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0888-210X
EISSN: EISSN-2381-2338
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Effects of Delaying Healthcare on Mental Health of College Students
Jonathan K. Noel; Samantha L. Strong; Cara Sammartino; Kelsey A. Gately; Samantha R. Rosenthal
College Student Affairs Journal, v43 n1 p82-101 2025
College students experience healthcare insecurities, with underinsurance and limited care options highly prevalent. The current study measured the prevalence of delaying care, the relationship between delaying care and mental health outcomes, and the role of using university health services (UHSs) in a sample of n = 498 college students. Participants reported whether they delayed healthcare due to cost or insurance and their use of UHSs. Mental health outcomes included screening positive for depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation. Overall, 36.9% of participants delayed healthcare in the past 12 months, and 38.8% reported using UHSs. Delaying care was associated with higher odds of screening positive for depression (ORadjusted[95%CI] = 2.79 [1.81,4.31]), anxiety (ORadjusted [95%CI] = 2.58 [1.68,3.98]), and suicide ideation (ORadjusted [95%CI] = 4.14 [2.12,8.11]), although there was no significant relationship with using UHSs. Universities should consider improving logistics, access, and service quality of UHSs or improved access to off-campus services.
Descriptors: College Students, Mental Health, Health Behavior, Access to Health Care, Costs, Health Insurance, School Health Services, Screening Tests, Depression (Psychology), Anxiety, Suicide, Psychological Patterns, Student Characteristics
Southern Association for College Student Affairs. 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: CSAJreviews@gmail.com; Web site: https://sacsa.org/pages/college-student-affairs-journal
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A