Journal of Student Research 2014

Journal of Student Research

The Impact of Depression and Anxiety on College Transition Stress Kaitlyn Olson | Senior Psychology Abstract This study investigated whether students who had a previous diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety would have higher levels of stress related to the college transition than students who did not have such diagnoses. Fifty-seven participants took an online survey on the level of stress in various college life domains. The results revealed that there were significantly higher stress levels in dorm stress and social life stress among students with a diagnosis than among those with no diagnosis. There was no significant difference between students with a diagnosis and those without a diagnosis in overall stress, financial stress and academic stress. Implications, suggestions, and future research are discussed. Keywords: Depression, anxiety, stress levels, college transition, first semester experience. The Impact of Depression and Anxiety on College Transition Stress Depression and Anxiety on the College Transition: The transition to college can be very stressful due to the changes that are occurring at that time. Kitzrow (2003) found that students can experience emotional and psychological distress while adapting to college. Students can feel stress because of the different expectations that come with transitioning to college such as new social and academic environments and increased responsibility (Larose, Bernier, & Tarabulsy, 2005). Having a pre-existing mental health condition such as depression and anxiety can make the transition to college more stressful (Hadley, 2007). For example, research has shown that depression and anxiety impact academic performance among college students (Andrews & Wilding, 2004; National College Health Assessment

142

Kaitlyn is a McNair Scholar (Ed.).