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Mental health problems in college freshmen: Prevalence and academic functioning
Ronny Bruffaerts1, Philippe Mortier2, Glenn Kiekens2
1Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven University, Universitair Psychiatrisch Centrum - KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|August 14, 2017
Summary
College freshmen experiencing mental health challenges often see a decline in academic performance. This study found that internalizing and externalizing problems are linked to lower academic functioning, impacting grades and academic year percentages.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Educational Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Mental health issues in college students are prevalent but their impact on academic success remains unclear.
- Understanding the relationship between mental health and academic performance is crucial for student well-being and institutional support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between mental health problems and academic functioning in university freshmen.
- To examine how different types of mental health issues correlate with academic performance metrics.
Main Methods:
- A large-scale e-survey was conducted among 4921 freshmen at KU Leuven University as part of the World Mental Health Surveys International College Student project.
- Mental health problems within the past 12 months and academic functioning (academic year percentage and GPA) were assessed across various academic departments.
Main Results:
- Nearly one-third of freshmen reported mental health problems in the past year.
- Both internalizing and externalizing problems were significantly associated with reduced academic functioning, showing a 2.9-4.7% decrease in AYP (0.2-0.3 GPA reduction).
- The negative impact of externalizing problems on academic functioning was more pronounced in departments with lower average academic performance.
Conclusions:
- Mental health problems are common among college freshmen and demonstrably linked to poorer academic outcomes.
- Further research is warranted to explore the causal relationship and the potential benefits of mental health interventions on academic performance.
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