Presenting problems of students at a university psychological clinic

Previous research in college student mental health indicates that most psychological problems stem from the academic area of the student's life. However, many previous studies focused upon the general college population and did not consider the problems of students who are receiving mental health services. In the present study, college students who sought psychological counseling at a university clinic were asked to rate the severity of their problems in 10 problem areas and to provide written descriptions of specific problems within each area. Clients' disturbance ratings and clinical judges' ratings of the clients' written problems revealed that problems in the area of self and self-satisfaction were the most severe problems for college students who sought psychological services.