Across the globe, universities have been dealing with a mental health crisis. In the past year, roughly 31% of students report anxiety, mood, or substance use disorder. The number of students that are diagnosed with mental health concerns has been increasing throughout the past two decades. Every two in five students meet the criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD). Studies suggest that a possible contributing factor to students developing SUD is the autonomy students gain when they transition from high school to college, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. The goal of this was to examine the relationship between first-semester college experiences, substance use, and mental health.
This study comprised of 891 incoming first-year students at a Midwestern University in the United States. Data collection occurred from August 2019 through the end of the student’s first semester in December 2019. The research questions posed for this study revolved around students’ demographics and first-semester college experiences related to their substance use and mental health. First-semester college experiences were assessed by asking questions regarding students’ general well-being, social life, and academic life. Substance use, mental health, intervention conditions, and demographics were also measured.
This study is one of the first to assess whether first semester of college experiences is associated with substance use and mental health. Results of this study revealed that first-semester general well-being, social life, and academic life experiences varied by demographic characteristics and were associated with substance use and mental health. Those who identified either as Black, Indigenous, Person of Color, sexual minority, or female were found to have more negative first semester experiences. Alcohol use was found to moderate the relation between college experiences and mental health. This supports the use of prevention groups that identify incoming college students who are having trouble adjusting to campus life, experience mental health concerns, and engage in substance misuse.
Takeaway: First-semester general well-being, social life, and academic life experiences varied by demographic characteristics and are associated with substance use and mental health.