Modeling micro- versus macro-level processes on the path to common psychiatric disorders: a replication in emerging...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Student Mental Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Major personal stressors have a greater impact on psychological risk than work-related potentially traumatizing events.
• Previous research highlights the differential effects of stressor types on psychological well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate and extend findings on stressor types and psychological risk.
• To examine within-person effects of stressor types on weekly sleep and risk behaviors.
• To model how micro-level stress processes influence long-term adjustment in the first year of college.

Main Methods:

• Utilized baseline questionnaires and diagnostic interviews with first-year college students.
• Employed 7 months of weekly experience sampling diaries to assess stress, affect, sleep, and behaviors.
• Conducted follow-up questionnaires at the end of the spring semester.

Main Results:

• Daily hassles were linked to increased sleep disruption.
• Potentially traumatic events (PTEs) were associated with increased maladaptive behaviors.
• Longer average sleep duration predicted lower substance use and loneliness; healthy behaviors and positive affect were protective against loneliness.
• PTEs uniquely predicted greater distress, substance use, and eating disorder symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Study findings partially replicate and extend previous research on stressor impacts.
• Targeting sleep and risk behaviors shows promise for improving college student adjustment.
• Understanding differential stressor effects is crucial for supporting student well-being.