Research, media sources, and polls have identified negative effects associated with presidential elections. The aim of this research was to investigate associations between US presidential election results and mental health outcomes in university students. This investigation consisted of two independent studies. Study 1 analyzed data collected…

Millions of college students across the United States experience anxiety disorders, evidencing a high need for evidence-based counseling techniques. At the same time, impairment resulting from anxiety often necessitates classroom accommodations at the postsecondary level. Cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure (CBT ERP) involves a thorough…

University students face significant mental health challenges and often have difficulties seeking and obtaining mental health care. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) seeks to increase psychological flexibility and valued living, and is well-suited for a transdiagnostic, skills-based approach that can support students with diverse needs.…

Objective: To determine the prevalence of food allergy (FA) and intolerance and estimate associations with anxiety and depression in a diverse sample of young adults. Participants: Undergraduates at a major university (n = 1,574) enrolled in the Spit for Science cohort study. Methods: Participants completed self-report assessments of current FA…

Several studies suggest that college counselors believe anxiety has been rising in recent decades. However, these surveys do not allow counselors to give nuanced answers or explicate their reasons, leaving it unclear why counselors estimate such change and how they explain its etiology. Do counselors have more nuanced beliefs than surveys suggest?…

As significant numbers of university students report high levels of stress, post-secondary institutions are seeking accessible mental health and wellness supports. The outreach program presented integrates therapy dogs, therapeutic horticulture, and art making interventions. Over 170 participants completed questionnaires surveying demographic…

This explanatory mixed methods study examined the evolutionary process of a college counselor partnering with a dog to practice animal-assisted therapy in counseling. Qualitative data were collected from the counselor while existing quantitative data on depression and anxiety symptoms were collected from clients who engaged with the…

Approximately 62.9% of college students felt "overwhelming anxiety" in the past year, even when a diagnosis was not present. Understanding social factors that can contribute to anxiety will better inform treatment, prevention, and interventions. The current study investigated the relationship between symptoms of anxiety and unmet social…

Using data from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), the present study examines the role family relationships have in explaining mental health outcomes for transgender and gender nonconforming (TG/GNC) college students who present to university counseling centers. A structural equation model indicates that TG and GNC collegiate clients…

The number of first-generation students on college campuses is rising, comprising 20% of new incoming students in higher education. First-generation college students (FGCS) do not access mental health treatment at the same rate as their non-first generation college student (NFGCS) peers and are at higher risk for leaving college early. The current…

College students experience high levels of anxiety and stress, resulting in academic, interpersonal, and functional challenges. Despite awareness of anxiety and stress amongst students, universities and colleges fail to meet their mental health needs. Neurofeedback (NFB) training, a noninvasive approach designed to regulate brain processes to…

Helicopter parenting is a relatively new phenomenon that describes a specific kind of overparenting that is focused on the well-being and success of children that can impact young adults' general sense of life satisfaction, overall mood, and the development of necessary life skills. Using Bowen theory, the author will illustrate through a case…

This preliminary study examined the effects of 16 sessions of neurofeedback (NF) training protocol on levels of depression, anxiety, and academic self-efficacy in college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results identified that NF was a viable option for mitigating depression and anxiety symptoms as well as increasing…

Adults of college age are at particular risk for psychopathology, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and suicidal behavior, but protective factors (e.g., self-compassion) may buffer risk. We examined the mediating effect of NSSI on the relation between anxiety/depressive symptoms and suicide risk, and the moderating role of self-compassion. Students…

In this descriptive study, the academic success (graduation rate, graduating grade-point-average, semesters to graduation) and the patterns of academic engagement (time from first to last enrollment, characteristics of the "time-outs" taken, between-semester volatility in grade-point-average) for five groups of students with psychiatric…